The Uni Break
Uni students are probably some of the luckiest people out there. If you've got your finances sorted, then you have all the time in the world to travel. Not only do you have year after year of summer breaks to travel anywhere in the world, but the lengthy break between semesters in winter also allows some pretty awesome holidays. Take advantage of these breaks because it's pretty much the one time in your life that you will have the money without the financial burdens of assets at home, as well as the time without being restricted to a few weeks annual leave.
The problem with figuring out what to do during your uni break is that there's just so much to choose from. If you've decided to travel but are not sure where you want to head off to, all it takes is a bit of research. So where do you start? First, you need to think about what kind of person you are. An obvious example of this is working out whether you prefer summer or winter, as then you can decide whether you head up to the beaches on a coastal road trip or a tropical island getaway, or whether it's the snow-capped mountains of Europe, Canada or Japan that appeals more to you. A winter holiday can be great fun, whether it's overseas or a domestic skiing or snowboard holiday during your semester break. If you're up for a week of partying with a bit of skiing in between then look into your university's ski tours. On the other hand if you're up for some solid skiing then do it on your own or with a group of mates who share similar interests. For a longer trip you can combine your ski or snowboard holiday with a working holiday, by either working in a lodge, as a ski instructor or as a liftie to save a bit of cash and then skiing whenever you get the chance.
The second thing you need to consider is the length of time you want to go away for. You may be after just a week getaway, or this may be all that you can afford both money- and time-wise. In this case, heading over to the other side of the world may not be the best idea, as it will not only cost a large amount of money in plane fares but also take up a few days of your travel time in aeroplanes or sitting in airports. Look into destinations that are close to home, whether overseas in the Pacific islands or even in Australia. If you're the beachy type then why not head up north to spend some quality time relaxing in the sun, cocktail in hand? Or you could travel interstate to visit a new city? It's all up to you. If, on the other hand, you want to spend every minute you possibly squeeze in away from home, then you have a bit more freedom when choosing a destination. If you are keen to keep it cheap then why not take a road trip around Australia, beach-hopping up or down the coast or else travelling inland for an adventurous holiday? With a large amount of time you can also justify spending the time and money in getting overseas and backpacking for a few months.
The last thing you need to consider is the type of traveller you are. For example, are you happy riding on bumpy night-rider buses, staying in cheap youth hostels and carrying all of your luggage on your back, or would you prefer to be put up in a nice hotel and see the sights of your destination with a bit more luxury? Figuring this much out about yourself will not only help you determine your destination and the amount of transport or tours that you will need to book, but it will also determine your budget. Travelling on a student budget means that if you want to really spend as much time as possible overseas then you're going to have to do things on a shoestring. So figure yourself out and then the world is your oyster!
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