National Parks are amazing. One of these summers, I plan to do an extended road trip and visit eight of my favorite ones while living out of a van for two or three months.
Above is an interactive map with my itinerary.
Enjoy 🙂
Month: October 2015
Travel: an annual one-week escape from the corporate world, or a lifestyle?
I’ll choose the latter.
However, as a financially-inept college student, most would assume that traveling is not in my post-graduation itinerary.
It would be logical for me to take my journalism degree, move to a big city, and begin working for some type of news or marketing agency. I would get the job, get an apartment, adopt a cat, and begin to plant my roots in one place.
As exciting as this seems, it just isn’t the case.
My plans for my 20’s include moving to new places and taking up new experiences as often as my heart desires. This could mean teaching in Thailand for six months, taking part in a sailboat expedition on the South American coast for a year, working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean for some time, the list goes on. Settling down this young sounds boring and, well, awful.
Now that the ideology has been established……………………HOW?
Don’t fret, my friends.
There are plenty of resources for nomadic, travel-minded people like you and I.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Go Abroad and Transitions Abroad provide job opportunities in countries all over the world for international workers.
- Backdoor Jobs and Coolworks advertise seasonal/short-term jobs relating to the outdoor industry. National Park jobs, ski-resort jobs, and even scuba dive instructor careers are all available on here!
- Workaway and WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) are work-exchange programs. You are usually provided with free room and board by your host, in exchange for a certain number of hours of work per week. Workaway hosts workers at hostels, farms, retreats, and the like, while WWOOFing primarily deals with organic farming. This is a great way to see the world and meet like-minded people without spending a lot of money.
While many people think full-time travel is impossible, it’s not. What makes it difficult is settling down and racking up recurring bills and expenses (think apartment rent, car insurance, etc.) If you’re willing to compromise on these typical luxuries and live an alternative lifestyle, traveling full-time is viable and an amazing way to live life.
Audio Soundslide: Day in the life of a SNC dorm student
Here’s a quick look at the typical daily activities of someone living in the dorms at Sierra Nevada College. Enjoy!
My top 10 post-college travel destinations
TRAVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it.
Every time I get on a plane to go somewhere new, the jittery butterflies in my belly begin to flutter. Something – well, actually everything – about traveling invigorates my soul.
When I graduate college, all I want to do is see as many places as I can, meet as many people as I can, experience as many cultures as I can, learn as many skills as I can, see as many new viewpoints as I can…you get the point. A steady, grounding career that keeps me in one place does not interest me one bit, at least not at the ripe age of 20.
Here are my top 10 travel destinations, all of which I plan to go to (and temporarily live in!) upon graduating:
New Zealand
Here, the opportunities are endless. With breathtaking landscapes to see throughout the North and South islands, thriving metropolitan cities, adventure sports abound, and friendly, open-minded locals, there really is no downside to New Zealand.
Costa Rica
Surfing, anyone? The Central American country’s pura vida lifestyle encourages a laid-back lifestyle that no one can protest.
Thailand
Thailand is something of a travel hub for all of Southeast Asia, so it’s a great place to start for those wanting to explore surrounding countries. Beautiful leafy jungles, famous sandy beaches, delicious thai cuisine (!!!) and affordable prices make this place tough to beat.
Vietnam
Street life in Vietnam is safe and colorful, making it a great destination for young travelers. With the unique mountains, sandy beaches and welcoming locals, you won’t want to stay inside.
Laos
Laos, another quaint country in Southeast Asia, also boasts beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and is quite safe for solo travelers. Plus, it hasn’t gained too much popularity on the travel spectrum, so it’s not yet overrun with tourists.
Bhutan
Ever since reading Jamie Zeppa’s book, “Beyond the Sky and the Earth,” I have longed to visit Bhutan. The mountainous country is a Himalayan Kingdom with a mystical feel and traditional Buddhist culture. The country prides itself on the fact that Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product.
Bali
Bali, although sometimes known as a place frequented by wild partygoers, has plenty to offer for everyone. The tropical location is the perfect place to learn surfing, yoga or meditation – or all three!
Nepal
Nepal is a backpacker’s paradise. The country boasts eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains. The culture and history here is rich as well. Trek away, my friends.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s lively, liberal lifestyle draws many young travelers from all over the globe. Museums, stores, restaurants, coffee shops and nightlife line the canal centered streets and offer plenty to do.
Iceland
Iceland’s unusual natural environment allows for exciting activities such as hikes to hot springs, glacier excursions, snorkeling and much more. The country is also very English-friendly, so there’s no language barrier. Solo-trips are very popular here, as the country is extremely safe.
There you have it, folks! My top 10 post-college travel destinations.
Watch out world, here I come 😉
Study Abroad!!?
I have finally gotten around to feeding the travel bug that sits ever so patiently on my shoulder.
Just kidding – it’s not patient. It bites. Hard.
I’ve been infected with the travel fever ever since I first jumped on a plane at the age of seven. Going new places and gaining new experiences is what truly brings me happiness.
Which is why I’m ecstatic to announce…
I may be studying abroad in New Zealand next semester!
NEW ZEALAND!!
Its vibrant cities and stunning natural landscapes are calling my name.
The school I’m looking at is Auckland University of Technology. It seems to have a fantastic journalism program and plenty of opportunities for networking and self-growth while abroad. I’m beginning the process of applying and figuring out which courses will transfer back to my college here in the states. If you can’t already tell, I’M THRILLED!
More info to come!
UNCONVENTIONAL BUG 