The wonderful thing about your time spent in community college is that you are almost completely free. You don't yet have a serious job, a spouse, kids, a house, and other obligations to tie you down. So if you want to pick up and go for the weekend or even the summer, there's nothing holding you back. Well, that's not entirely true. The other side of the coin is that you don't have a lot of money to throw around yet, which means the expenses of travel could be beyond your budget. Luckily, there are ways to compromise so that you get the travel adventure you seek at a cost you can afford. Here are just a few ideas to help you get started.
Study abroad. Not every community college has arrangements made with sister schools around the world that allow for the equitable trade of students who wish to experience schooling in another country (for the same cost they pay at home). This may have something to do with the disparity in the cost of community college versus international institutions of higher education. Or perhaps they simply don't have the resources available to make such arrangements. But more and more community colleges are working to offer this opportunity to their students, so it's definitely something to look into. It's a safe and relatively inexpensive way to spend several months in another part of the world. And if your campus doesn't offer study abroad programs, check out CIEE.org for opportunities.
Road trips. Before you set your heart on seeing a foreign country, why not spend some time exploring the one you call home? Road trips with friends are a great way to spare expense and get out of town for a few days. You can save even more by packing up the cooler and a couple of tents and heading to nearby nature areas for a couple days of roughing it, sans electronics.
Student cruises. In case you didn't know, cruise ship operators often create special packages for different demographics, from the elderly to singles to gay and lesbian travelers. And many also offer discount student cruises (generally during the spring break season). This all-inclusive form of travel allows you to enjoy a vacation that comes with not only lodgings and transportation, but also food and entertainment, all at a price that is generally far less than paying for everything separately. It's a great way to travel, especially with additional discounts, and you'll end up on a ship full of other college students, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to make new friends.
Plan early. Wherever you're going, it behooves you to plan ahead when you're on a tight budget, as most students are. Whether you're heading home for the holidays or spending the summer in Europe, booking early will offer you more options at better prices, so this is the best way to make travel plans if you can.
Backpacking. Since you can't afford the amenities provided by luxury travel agents anyway, why not save some money and take the route that truly immerses you in a culture by relying only on your wits and what you can carry on your back? There's no better way to get a feel for a new locale than by traversing it on foot (or cheap transportation like buses) and staying in youth hostels or simply pitching your tent between towns. It's a wonderful way to meet new people and experience the culture. You may just want to go with a couple of friends for the sake of safety.
