This is the biggest complaint I hear; "I would travel…if only I had the money."
I pay for ALL my travel expenses.
Please
don’t think for a second that I’m pracin’ around on Dad’s plastic. My
parents “taught me the value of a dollar” by letting me pay my
university tuition (at a private school no less). Not a chance they
were about to finance my world stomp. I still have thousands of dollars
in school loans yet to be paid back. (You CAN usually defer your school
loans for up to three years.) Why am I telling you about my financial
situation? Because I want to emphasize that anyone who REALLY wants to
travel - can.
If you want something, you do what it
takes to get it. I saved. I've chosen "travel" as my treat. I count my
money in days spent abroad. I don't have a stereo in my car and I slept
on a futon for the first six months that I lived in San Diego until I
was handed down a bed. I'd simply rather spend that money on airfare,
hostels or bread & cheese. I understand the tradeoffs and have made
a choice. Anyone can travel if they want to. All it depends on, is how
bad he or she really wants it.
And one of the biggest
myths of travel is that it's expensive. A person can travel easily on
$10-30 dollars a day abroad, if you're keen on bread and cool with dorm
rooms. You won't be a "tourist"; You'll be a traveler. Your daily
expenses (rent, food, clothing, entertainment) in The States surely
amount to more than $30 dollars a day. (Please don't e-mail me and ask
me to explain this further or tell me it's not possible *people often
do*. It IS possible, but I really don't feel obligated to give proofs
or find deals for people.) Check out my 27 Tips to Travel Cheaper.
But without a doubt, it is cheaper for me to live abroad, than in the States.
In
addition to saving a lot and spending little, I always work while
travelling abroad. Bartending, volunteering (in exchange for room),
working as a divemaster, teaching English, working as a photographer,
and guiding tour groups are all means that were not only gentle on the
savings account, but also rewarding cultural experiences. When I first
started working abroad, I didn’t have any experience and knew very
little of the local language. All it takes is desire and initiative.
You can search for jobs abroad online before you depart (I've found
three jobs to date through GoAbroad.com),
or just go door-knockin’ at all the bars and restaurants in town until
you come up with something. And if you’re really looking, something
ALWAYS turns up.
I currently work as a "Trip Leader" or
"Experiential Education Guide" leading groups of college students on
3-month experiencial semesters abroad, for two BRILLIANT little
organizations, called Where There Be Dragons and LeapNow.
(I get teary-eyed just thinkin' about how much love I have for my
"work.") I usually work one or two semesters a year and find some type
of volunteer work (abroad) that pays for my board during my "downtime."
