Before you go or B4UGO

 Last school year Konner planned a trip for Summer to Europe. Being a typical that is basically poverty stricken student Konner researched several student travel companies looking for the cheapest rates. She, along with two friends, found a company which seemed to fit their plans. All in one pricing, principal capital cities and sites in the countries visited and a connection from her home city to the departure airport in New York City. Most of all it was affordable, three weeks touring Europe, and off Konner and her friends went.

This is her report.

1. Have your trip completely planned.  This is only for those who do not go with tour groups.  The reason; When in Europe phones are sometimes VERY difficult to use and also very difficult when you do not speak the native tongue. Improvising a change in plans using local phones can be nearly impossible. So, have your trip completely planned.

2. Bring a debit/credit card!  NOT cash and NOT Travelers checks!  There are ATM's EVERYWHERE.  The only place my group had a little difficulty finding an ATM was in Rome, but it was near by and we found it with some help from the locals. With credit cards be careful.  I was charged $5 per cash advance which for me amounted to $40 in extra spending. Also tell your bank that you will be traveling and tell them where. This will allow your card to function during your travels. (Call your bank's customer service for details.)

3. Get a pouch that goes around your neck and under your shirt.  Pick pockets are everywhere and this lets you keep your valuables   (i.e. Passport, Credit/Debit card) safe. I found it VERY helpful. 

4. Your smart phone or what ever you use may not work on foreign networks.  So, if you want to call home a good phone card is invaluable. I used an MCI phone card which worked everywhere except for the Italian payphones, which don't work unless you buy a card for them in Italy, but if you find an older payphone MCI worked great.  I have also heard that you can rent cellphones for European uses, but I do not know the cost or what it entails.  But always remember you aren't going to have time or want to call home all that much.

THE CONCLUSION
In spite of all the bad things about the student travel company I went with, I got to go to a different continent and because they gave you time on your own to go look through the city and experience the culture I saw a lot. I would NEVER go with this travel company.  But, if I had the choice to go with them or not at all, I would definitely go with them again.  The rewards of going to Europe, even if the conditions are poor, outweigh everything.  So go, but if you can, be careful which student travel company you go with. I am still waiting for refunds on the things our group missed. 

The Planet College sum up.  Saving money is typically a priority for nearly all students. It is possible to have fun, learn something and save money but that takes a kind of dilligence most students don't expect to expend.  Thus, the only way to learn is through experience. But as Konner said, if you get the opportunity to travel, Go.  Just prepare to expect the unexpected. Have a fun Summer. 

International Students; Welcome To The Global Village, USA

 College is often experienced as another planet for typical students. This site has been dedicated to presenting college life as the alternate reality it is for most students. Somewhat like visiting a foreign culture without ever leaving your home country. But. Many students do leave their home country and culture to learn in and learn more about the USA.

With summer nearly here travel is on many many students' minds. Planet College has regularly posted information for USA students traveling abroad since 2007. Some of those entries can be seen here.

Planet College understands that student travel works both ways. Many international students travel to the USA to study, both for Summer and the Regular Term. On the website operated here by the Institute for International Education  for who are curious about studying in the USA a student from Trinidad is quoted as saying, "College in the USA is like a global village."

This statement sums up the experience of many, many, students both international and native USA. College and college life is a global experience.

Planet College, this website, continues to offer ideas, tips, insights and help to all students, local and global who pursue the opportunies to learn, earn and grow in the uniquely stimulating culture that is 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.

Another Kind of Travel Warning

Eric was a first year law student in need of some serious down time. When break came he and a couple of buds drove to another state.   The buds in this case were two joints.  In the state where Eric attends law school marijuana is not an offense, neither consumption nor possession.  In the state Eric traveled to marijuana is an offense.  Along the road in his destination state Eric was stopped by a State Trooper.  A quick search revealed Eric's joints.  During the conversation Eric appraised the State Trooper of his own personal rights and reminded the Trooper who his real employer was.  That is, Eric got lippy with the cop.  Bad idea.  As mentioned here elsewhere, The Law and It's Enforcers take themselves very seriously.  Eric was jailed and charged with felony possession, entirely possible under that state's laws. Eric's choices were few i. e. Plead guilty to a felony and pay a large fine  or plead not guilty and return for a trial after paying very large bail. Eric chose the first.  Now Eric is a law student with a felony record. Very difficult dilemma.

Couple of points, real obvious.  First, no matter where you travel, another state or another country, know the laws and don't violate them.  Second, simply, don't mouth off to cops, TSA agents, highway patrol officers, state troopers, border guards, gendarmes, security officials or any type of law enforcement personnel.  It won't help.  They have all the power.  When dealing with such officials a Planet College reminder;  Silence is Golden so whenever you are in a law enforcement type situation give 'em your name, show your ID, explain your presence and Shut UP!

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.

Got a passport?

Planet College is an endless series of opportunities. New friends, new experiences and even travel. Most every opportunity on Planet College requires some basics, time, money and at least some preparation. Preparation often includes appropriate documentation and for travel outside of the United States a passport. Last summer a student, Brian, was invited by friends to accompany them on a trip to Samoa. Mostly this was for surfing and partying. Part of Samoa is an American possession which is why it is known as American Samoa. Part but not all. Because passport application processing can take several weeks Brian did not have a valid passport when he left for the trip. So when his friends traveled to the parts of Samoa which are not American possessions Brian was left behind. Tough lesson. A little preparation often goes a long way toward making life run a little more smoothly. If you don't have a passport it could be useful to look into getting one. If you do have a passport it is important to determine whether it is up to date. The Bureau of Consular Affairs, which is a division of The United States Department Of State is sponsoring Passport Day In The USA and the details are available here. Important details such as the time and money involved and US Passports issuing agencys are covered here. Look into it. Opportunity on Planet College often comes up when you least expect it. So, like a good scout, Be Prepared.

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.

Off to work, diploma in hand

This is graduation season and a lot, a whole lot, of brand new graduates will be marching off to work, degrees posted, commencement completed and diplomas in hand.  About that brand new position with the high salary and all the cool perks that come with a degree?  Well for most graduates, not right now. In fact, if you are a graduate this term you probably are marching off to the same job or jobs you've had for a while. At least until one of the scores of resumes you have sent out pays off with an offer.  Mean while the experience of one graduate from a couple of years back might help illuminate your path.

Karl graduated a couple of years ago with a Degree in Marketing.  This is his story.

After I graduated I continued working at the same places I had been working.  I had to. I sent out resumes like every body else, even got a few interviews, but nothing solid.  I learned that an educational travel company I had worked for briefly had openings in their main office which is in my home town.  I had led  a tour group for them a couple of years before. My folks are from Eastern Europe and I'm pretty good with languages so it was a fit and I got to tour Europe for free for three weeks.

I knew it was 'customer service' but it was full time and I figured it might be a chance to use my Marketing Degree.  I moved back home and started work.  All the new hires started in what is actually a boiler room. Wall to wall desks. The company is large and they advertised their tours heavily in student newspapers and on the web.  We were supposed to take the incoming calls and sell up.  The callers were responding to the low prices advertised for the tours but these were just bait.  Our job was to sign them up for more features and longer tours.  There was a lot of pressure to perform with big signs at the front of the room about who was making the team go and who wasn't. There was a bar located on the ground floor of the office building where everybody went after work and on Friday's there was a 'sales meeting' in that bar at three pm.  This was mostly about getting wasted and hooking up for the weekend. At first it was fun, a lot like college really. But after a few months it was clear nobody from customer service was moving up. Whenever there was an opening the company brought in someone from another office who was already a manger.  The us vs. them culture of workers vs. management was particularly toxic and finally discouraging.  I tried pointing this out at the regular 'sales meetings' but no body from management wanted to hear it. Worse the pay was really bad. The company commonly charged the salary which was low anyway against any commissions I might have earned and I ended up earning less than if I had just been an hourly employee bagging groceries at some supermarket or something.  After nearly six months I could see I was going no where. I was still at my folks who were OK about it but I really couldn't stand it.  I thought I would have been out of there sooner.  Finally through another part of the company I learned about teaching positions in other countries.  I thought, "Why not? At least I'll be out of here." So I got all set up and now I'm in Shanghai.

It's kinda cool being in a completely different culture right now. I know a lot of other graduates have done this.  I've been here a while and I'm picking up some Chinese.  I'm not gonna start right now about the actual teaching position.  Same company, so, what would you expect?  Bu,t at least I'm out of my folks' house.  That's what happened after I finally graduated.

Rear-View Mirror Check.

Automobiles are equipped with rear-view mirrors to provide drivers with information about what maybe approaching from the rear.  Drivers on Planet College find rear view mirrors particularly useful for keeping track of approaching law enforcement.  An occasional check in the rear view mirror while driving keeps drivers on track and generally legal. This habit, acquired from driving, can be useful in other areas of life.  For example, am I on track to get where I want to go? Planet College exists to remind and re-remind average college students that the goal of their quest is graduation. A diploma. To assist that quest Planet College  offers a brief survey of past posts.

If you are planning on travel this summer and your plans are not set this report from could be informative.

Planet College emphasizes and re-emphasizes the importance of how you spend your time and this post explains that basic concept in detail.

Summer is the optimum time to increase earnings. More work means more more money and what student on Planet College doesn't need more money?  Additionally as Jacob learned and is reported here more work could mean unexpected trouble.

And finally, for graduates exclusively Planet College has this.

This has been a brief review of Planet College previous post.  Although students often need little reminder to have fun during this time at the risk of being redundant if not superfluous, Have Fun This Summer!