Low-budget vacation tips for international students sound a bit unusual because international students live on a tight budget. Well, that is why we are calling it low budget. Education is not only about textbooks or class exams. Experience and exposure make education more wholesome for a student. And, there are many destinations that an international student can explore easily if she/he does their research on budget-friendly trips properly.
Why Is Taking a Vacation Necessary for an International Student?
Vacations and holidays provide students with a necessary break from their tiring class schedules and stressful exams/projects. It helps them to relax, recharge, and energize about their next learning plan. For an international student, it is even more substantial, especially for their mental and emotional well-being. Given how vulnerable they can be when they first relocate to an unknown place with no friends and families around, an affordable vacation can assist them to pause a bit and look into how they are doing physically and mentally. It also works to improve their self-esteem, reduce their stress and anxiety, and become more aware of their surroundings in many aspects.
Such exposure to new activities, places, and traditions can widen their perspective in different ways. Thus, vacation is too important to overlook during the student period to have their social, physical, mental, and social needs fulfilled properly. However, students always should plan their travel while keeping a few things in mind to avoid financial worries.
Low Budget Vacation Tips for the International Students
Many of the students from South Asia particularly Bangladesh, and India are choosing Europe and North America for education purposes The plan is not only to have an overseas degree but to gather experience about foreign cultures and countries. You will meet many of the backpackers while traveling Europe and USA/Canada who are Asians. Students work part-time to cover their tuition and living costs, hence, they cannot budget for a luxury holiday. Moreover, many of the students prefer visiting places linked to their study, naturally scenic and of historical significance. This post is to help those students planning a vacation low budget yet loaded with enthralling stuff and adventures.
Unlike other tourists, student tourists look for reasonable travel fares, cheap stays, and minimum food costs. Thus, their ideal vacation package looks like something given below: Here we have selected some tips to help an international student plan a low-budget vacation in a foreign country.
1. Choose an off-peak time to travel:
If the student can travel at times when the air/train fare and accommodation is the lowest. Usually, festivals and national holidays are times when these expenses go right. Avoid these times; choose an off-pick time. Your vacation will be quiet; you and your wallet will remain healthy.
2. Early booking for budget-friendly vacation tips:
Usually, school holidays and festivals are the busiest times for tourist attractions. Prices and fees go up to complement this rush as well. Students can be an ‘early bird’ in this case and book their hotels and travel ways in advance. This can help them to secure the best deals at half price almost and also get other facilities for earlier booking.
3. Group travel or Tour Plan:
For students, solo travel is nice but traveling with a friend sounds more fun and cheap too. In case, friends cannot manage, there are many group tours arranged by travel agencies that help solo travelers befriend strangers.
Moreover, tour packages are affordable as they combine everything in one menu. It is also a great way to befriend strangers who choose the same places as you and maybe your interests will bond too.
4. Volunteer jaunt or paid work program for low budget vacation tips:
Volunteering for a charity or company in a new place with free meals or accommodation is very popular, particularly among international students. Besides exploring the culture and people, students can also serve the local communities in a way. Many cultural exchanges or unpaid charity/internships also offer these volunteering opportunities for the students.
You can also try the summer/spring work program for the students offered by many foreign organizations. Go Abroad is one great resource for this where you will have a work offer that comes with accommodation and meal allowances. If you can manage an offer at your targeted place, your destination vacation will be charge-free Contact your university or local employment centers to know more about that.
5. Avoid overspending:
When you are traveling on a low-budget plan, say no to fancy dining and luxury inns. You can have a blast of funds without these things checked in your lists. You would rather stay with the locals and try their food unless you choose to disregard such a unique experience.
Sometimes try cooking your food if you can manage kitchen facilities at your hotel. DA dormitory with shared cooking facilities is the most common option for a low-budget trip.
6. Leverage on being a student:
Many museums, restaurants, clubs retail stores even public transport offer students discounts/ coupons to encourage them to travel. Contact your local travel agency to collect more information on this. You can plan your itinerary for your low-budget vacation based on that.
Carrying your university ID card with you would be wise while traveling. This may help you get more concessions at places. If you are visiting a different country, get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and keep it in your backpack for show. The ISIC provides access to over 15,000 discounts and benefits in or outside of the country. You can find available discounts at your destination on their website.
To sum up, alright you are done with your exams, got leave from your part-time and vacation starts tomorrow. You have taken note of these low-budget vacation tips, you now have no worries. Pack your backpack but keep it light and with only essential stuff. Set off now towards an exciting holiday with enchanting thrills and fresh discoveries. I hope an exciting vacation awaits you. Bon voyage 🙂
