Many eager freshmen go into college saying they are going to
do a semester abroad in Florence or an internship teaching in Poland, but how
many of those people actually go? I’m sure some of you go-getters followed
through with your dreams, but for a lot of you, “life” got in the way. I hate
to break it to you, but life isn’t going to get any easier. Never. Here’s a
list of common excuses and why they are a bunch of BS.
1. I can’t travel because of school:
This has to be by far the worst excuse. College is the best
time to travel. There are myriad of programs that universities offer. Personally, I found an exchange program
where I paid tuition to my home university, and if you have financial aid, it
still applies. Although you may not be able to take a full course load, take a
winter or summer course to make up for it! Is an extra semester going to kill
you? The options are definitely there—it’s all about making them happen.
2. I can’t travel because of work:
Let me ask you this—do you plan on getting promoted or
demoted? If you plan on getting promoted, work isn’t going to get any easier. You
are never going to have as little job related responsibilities as you do at
this very moment because if you’re a good worker, you’re going to climb the
company ladder. Take the leap of faith and dive into traveling before the
ladder gets too high.
3. I can’t travel because it’s too expensive:
Okay, I’ll admit that flights, eating out, and paying for
attractions can get very pricey; however, this isn’t the only way to travel. Many
of us forget that people actually fly to visit the places where we live. If you
have a car, the states are yours for the taking. Traveling doesn’t necessarily
mean traveling half way around the world—it means exploring somewhere new. I
recently drove to San Francisco (I split gas with friends), stayed in the city
at my sister’s apartment (free accommodation), and ate out once a day (cooked
breakfast at my sisters and packed snacks). If you research your resources, I’m
sure you can think of an affordable place to visit!
For those of you who do want to fly half way around the world (myself included), it’s all about slowly saving. Do you really need a new dress for that wedding or can you borrow a friend’s? Do you need to buy lunch everyday or can you pack it the night before? Do you need to go out every night of the weekend—well, maybe. There are very simple ways to save that really add up
For those of you who do want to fly half way around the world (myself included), it’s all about slowly saving. Do you really need a new dress for that wedding or can you borrow a friend’s? Do you need to buy lunch everyday or can you pack it the night before? Do you need to go out every night of the weekend—well, maybe. There are very simple ways to save that really add up
4. I can’t travel because I’m in a relationship:
Think about the relationship you have with your family
members. If you don’t see them for a week, are they going to disown you? The
same should apply to romantic relationships. I speak from experience when I say
that doing long distance for an extended period of time is hard, but if it’s
worth is, you two will make it work. You will build up regret and resentment if
you don’t follow your dreams to stay behind for another person. Besides, who’s
to say that your lover shouldn’t go on this trip too! Traveling is a great test
of a relationship. It can get stressful, but in the end it is 100% worth it.
5. I will travel when I’m older:
Haven’t you ever heard the expression, “there is no time
like the present?” No offense, you aren’t getting any younger. Who’s to say
that in five years you won’t have kids or a mortgage? Putting off traveling
right now is just waiting for life to get in the way. Will you be physically
able to hike the Machu Picchu trail when you’re finally “ready” to travel? Life
isn’t going to get any easier—just go for it.
“They should tell you when you’re born: have a suitcase heart, be ready to
travel.”
― Gabrielle Zevin
