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Show I 8 FEATURE MAYbe I i FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM Continued from Page 1 Along with overwhelming cities and language barriers, May Term abroad makes it easy for students to get travel visas and international health insurance. All students have to do is fill out the paperwork and the professors deal with the agencies said her friends went on last years May Term to France and Switzerland and said they didnt like it because it was hard for them to do their own thing. Morales also mentioned that many of her friends said it was cliquey amongst the other students, which they didnt like. and procedures. Its not like they didnt have Most professors leading the fun or regretted it, but when study experiences have some they came back they said they sort of connection to the places could have gone alone, said Morales. they take students. For examLiz Kenny, senior at Bab-so- n ple, Han Kim, assistant professor and assistant director for College in Boston, recently the Public Health Program, has traveled to London with her taken students to Thailand each school and had a similar experience. May since 2009. All of the professors were Kenny said, The one good way relaxed and fun, and acthing was having others around with someus went that I knew, but I dont think out tually times. They didnt really act I would ever travel with those like professors at all, said Eric people again, not many of them Mccurdie, junior, who traveled wanted to do the same things as to France and Switzerland for me, so I ended up miserable on most of the days. May Term last year. Student and professor relaBeing in a group and having a set schedule wasnt a concern tionships can be strengthened, beas well as the relationships for Morales when she tried to I tween students, only knew a go on the France and Switzerfew people who were going on land trip. Morales couldnt go because she couldnt afford it. the trip but there ended up beThe France and Switzerland ing almost 30 students total, so I got to meet a bunch of new trip cost $3,772 for 21 days people, which made it more ($180 a day). I backpacked throughout fun, said Mccurdie. I loved going on the trip Europe for a month for $3000, which is why I am going on said Morales. Morales planned another one. It was absolutely a trip with two other friends worth it, added Mccurdie. and explored six different counMay Term abroad costs tries. The 2012 MayTerm trips av$1,000 to $4,700 depending on the destination. Included in the erage 13 days of travel between price is a dividend from each the prices of $3,076 to $3,316. This includes most everything student to pay for the profesbesides spending money, passsors trip. Professors organizing the trips spend around 15 port and immunizations. months planning and setting up Demko said, Your daily the trip to make it convenient cost is going to be much higher for students. Demko said, Its on a May Term study experivery easy," you the student just ence. You could take $4,000 show up! and backpack for two months. The longer you go the better, in most cases. You probably DISADVANTAGES wont want to come home after For some students, just two weeks, added Demko. Whenever you go with showing up may be easy and school you might pay an extra convenient, but independent price but youre expected to adventures can be stunted. have other benefits: the knowlThere were a lot of disciedge of the teachers, special plinary rules on the trip, said Katherin Nelson, senior, who access to things, not having to so you should get went on last years May Term plan things, those advantages. I dont think trip to India. stuff worked to my advanThe professors were like that said Nelson. our parents. My parents havent tage on my trip, For Nelson, Staying longer really been my parents for 10 for a cheaper price is a better years, so I dont need another option. set, said Nelson. When Morales planned Having a set schedule works her trip to Europe she and her for some, but not for others friends did things the cheaper More independent and advenWe stayed in hostels turous students may want a full route. and open schedule to travel the versus hotels, said Morales. Morales explained that she and area. Nadia Rea Morales, senior, her friends did everything on the cheaper side but said that 1 I i i I i i s i f , i ? I if t i. i 1 Pre-plann- ed travel arrangements are a convenient benefit of May Term Study Experiences. 3 1 U ti! MIR (r. fi fit-- she thought it was more fun that way. AIRFARE EATING I still talk to people other from the hostels regusaid Morales. She said larly, it gave her and her friends a chance to meet other explorers close to their age. Like Morales, students that plan their own trips alone or with two, three or four friends could double or triple the amount of time spent traveling for the cost of some May Term Book airfare tickets in advance and Eat more at lunch than dinner. use discount websites. Fancy lunches are often much less expensive than dinners. trips. Buy travelers Do some research, travel during low-season- Buy food at the local grocery stores and cut meal prices in half. s. Fly in and out during the week- days. Eat at small cafes and street carts. Go on standby flights to spice up the adventure. Use public transportation much as possible. tickets. y Look online to find metro and rail passes at a discounted price. TRAVEL PLANNING For students interested in planning their own trips, traveling without breaking the bank can be simple with a few tips from moneyning.com and There are ways to save money on airfare, eating, transportation, accommodation and entertainment sightseeing. See the table on the right. STUDY ABROAD ON A BUDGET Students wanting to have an educational element included in their travel can double the amount of time of a May Term trip for the same price. Students interested in learn-in- g different languages or doing volunteer work can study abroad at language institutes. Language institutes are all around the world. They are similar to MayTerm Study Experiences in that they offer structure and support. For example, Amauta Spanish School in Peru, offers a variety of options for students as roundtrip tickets rather than one-wa- TIPS TRANSPORTATION Travel light. Pack belongings in one bag. Leave some extra room in luggage so there's enough room to bring souvenirs home. Fly convenient, but expensive. Make sure the driver turns on the meter, otherwise they will likely make a price up that's much higher. Taxis in and out of the same airport. are Take a night train or overnight flight. Sleeping while in transport is a two-in-ooption that can lower accommodation costs. ne ACCOMMODATION ENTERTAINMENT Stay in hostels. They may not be SIGHTSEEING paradise, but the money saved can be spept on attractions and Go off season. Museum and other activities. Lonelyplanet.com has quaint, safe suggestions that can be booked on the website. generally lower. Travel with two or more people and cut accommodation costs in half by dividing up the cost. Ask other travelers in the area for places they have stayed and liked. Stay in a town close to the city and save a bundle on the hotel bill. tourist attraction ticket prices are Many attractions have discounts for students. Take student ID and membership cards (e.g. AAA card) to qualify for discounts. Keep trying to look for deals. Reservations can often be if canceled with a full refund a last minute deal is found. Tourist spots may not be the most interesting. Walk around and be friendly with locals, they may give insight on entertainment, sightseeing and restaurants. off-tra- Take advantage exchanges. of home ck |