Travel warnings.

Spring and then, of course, summer are looming on Planet College. With these new seasons travel, getaways, road trips, breaks and thus travel plans are arising. With the international political landscape changing, (ask a Poly Sci major) a little planning now might save a lot of trouble soon. The United States State Department posts on their site here advice for US travelers. A warning is posted for countries where no US consular or embassy is available to aid US citizens. This type of warning applies largely to countries where long term internal trouble is anticipated. Currently Syria is one such country. This site also posts advisories concerning countries where current conditions might be hazardous for a traveling US citizen. Currently Mexico, due to a long standing 'drug war' is such a place. If you are planning any type of foreign travel soon or in the near future it is wise to check this site. You don't want to spend a lot of money to end up some place it is totally uncool to be.

Volunteer? Overseas?? Me???

Along with travel, volunteering is a traditional part of most student's experience on Planet College. Combining these two traditions has also for a while been integral to college students experience. The most widely known American institution which provides both of these aspects is the Peace Corps. This government program is not limited to students but does require a degree among other things to qualify. The United Nations also has a volunteer component but these too are only available to experienced professionals. What about students, professionals in training? For one example Geekcorp places volunteers internationally in positions requiring technological expertise.
When seeking overseas volunteer positions bear in mind you will be required to pay at least part of the expenses involved. Also volunteer positions usually require a time commitment, at least three months often more. Finally if you are seriously considering volunteering overseas you will no doubt need a valid, up to date passport and possibly such immunization as your destination country may require.

Other places, Other lives

Planet College has been dedicated to the expanding world of the student experience since its founding. Worldwide there are many, many students, probably like a gazillion, doing many, many, many different things. Studying many, many, many, many different subjects and developing each their own point of view.

One typical, but still distinctive and unique is here. An international student, a native of Malaysia, studying in London, traveling to Spain and studying among other things French. Typical or, well, typically untypical. The site, when we looked, detailed the delight students expressed when they found something for free and some in depth critical exploration of nail polish among many other reflections of this student's experience. The writer is not particularly impressed with herself and has a slight sense of detachment about her experiences. This is a point of view which is developed through experience on Planet College.

This site was found probably like you have found a lot of things on Planet College, just by browsing. You have probably learned a lot, a lot more than you have realized, just by being on Planet College and doing what you do. It might seem surprising but your daily thoughts, adventures, mis-adventures and experiences could be as interesting to a student, a student at a distance, as this student's experiences.

Traveling In Hostel Territory

"Travel broadens the mind" and education and travel have been intertwined since probably day one. Part of the student traveling tradition is hosteling. Hostels are economical lodgings usually located in major cities around the world and always near universities. The quarters are simple, clean and often dorm style so the whole set up is familiar to any one who has been on Planet College for a while. Right now, Winter, those hostels near skiing sites are probably pretty full. Those near summer associated recreation aren't. But if you are planning on traveling soon, either spring or summer, hosteling, if you haven't heard, can be a cool way to save money and enjoy the trip by meeting new people who, like yourself, are students.

In order to get reservations at some but not all hostels membership in an organization is usually required. These organizations and their membership requirements are all currently available on line. Searching 'hostel' will bring up quite a few.

Planet College brings this to your attention because now more than ever hanging on to your money is essential. Hostel traveling can help. So if you plan on travel soon look in to hosteling. And Bon Voyage from Planet College.

Cs Overseas.

Often average students dismiss the idea of Study Abroad. Studying anything in another country they feel is beyond their reach. Because average students get average grades, Cs mostly, they dismiss without consideration, the possibility of going away for a semester or even a summer session. This assumption is superficially logical but completely erroneous.

The fact is that practically any student, no matter what caliber, is eligible for some overseas studies. If you don't have a Study Abroad representitive on your campus a web search could locate potential programs for which you are eligible.

Remember that Study Abroad is quantitatively different from Student Travel. You may already know about, may have even taken, tours of other countries. Usually with a group of other students this type of tour is essentially that, touring.

Study Abroad means traveling to another country. Once there you reside there for a period of time while studying some specific subject or subjects. The subjects vary widely, art, drama, television production, hydrology, a local dialect, anthropology, any number of college style courses. You go to class, you do the work you get a grade. Hence, Study Abroad.

If you are now saying, "Oh yeah sure, how am I supposed to pay for it?" see above.