Another newbie :) - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

supmjay · 09-25-2009, 02:18 PM

Hi everyone. My name is Mauricette and I currently reside in Miami, Florida. I have never backpacked before and never even been outside of the country but I really want that to change so I'm hoping sometime this summer it will happen.
I'm thinking about Ireland for my first trip but not sure. Any suggestions?

Nice to meet everyone

**Dig** · 09-25-2009, 02:20 PM

Welcome to TravelPunk!

Tell us more about yourself. What are you looking for in traveling, how do you want to travel, what kind of budget.

Ireland is awesome.

supmjay · 09-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Well I've wanted to travel since I was a kid. My dad is from France and always promised to take me but unfortunately it hasn't happened yet. Hearing about it though sparked my "travel urge". To me it's all about meeting new people, having amazing new experiences, seeing new sights, and just becoming a more well-rounded person overall.

Budget: the smallest it could possibly get :D. I don't have much in the way of money and I'm currently in the process of trying to get a job to save up for this trip. Actually, due to money, it may not happen this summer but I'm staying optimistic!

Yeah, Ireland is the first choice for me. Then France maybe.

**Dig** · 09-25-2009, 02:35 PM

I think Ireland is a great choice for beginning backpackers. It is still very different, but there are enough familiar things to keep you in your comfort zone.

Since you are on a shoe-string budget I would suggest that you spend a lot of time researching hostels and public transportation. Luckily for you Ireland has decent public transportation and a wide selection of places to stay.

supmjay · 09-25-2009, 02:39 PM

Yeah I'll definitely be doing A LOT of research over the school year before I even think about going. There's also a study abroad opportunity going on at my school where they select 40 honors students for a 10 day stay in Salzburg, Austria. If I'm selected for that it'd be a great experience as well.

I'm hoping I can meet some travel buddies in Miami through this website and maybe find someone to go with this (or next) summer. Unless I can convince some of my friends to go with me

Thanks for the advice!

**Dig** · 09-25-2009, 05:18 PM

I met a few American students in Amsterdam that were studying in Salzburg, although they were already attending University. They all appeared to really enjoy themselves. It would be a great opportunity.

**Elizabeth** · 09-25-2009, 05:24 PM

Hey Mauricette! I am from Miami as well - Kendall to be specific. You? I don't live in Miami anymore though. Where do you go to school?

Something I will tell you about those 10 day trips the instructors at universities sponsor is that they are overpriced. One of my teachers is running a 10 day one to London and Rome. The cost is at least $3000. With proper budgeting I could make that stretch for at least a month of travelling.

Have you thought about doing a semester long study abroad? Depending on your field of study, you can have a much more customized study abroad, and even earn credits in your major. I just returned from a semester in Budapest, Hungary. It was such an amazing experience, every college student should study abroad at least once!

And if you want some overseas experience but have no $ you could always take advantage of the fact that you are prob eligible for French citizenship, you could work anywhere in the EU!

supmjay · 09-29-2009, 07:30 AM

Lizz, I'm from Kendall as well. I was actually born in DC but I'm here at the moment. I go to Miami Dade but am currently enrolled in the Honors College. That's the thing with the Salzburg trip. Since it's part of an Honors program everything would be paid for. Flight, food, hotel accomdations, etc.
The only thing is they only pick 40 students out of 300.

But I agree with you on the overpriced trips. A group of friends of mine at Killian went to Australia and the whole thing cost about $6,000. Pretty crazy :\.

The French citizenship thing I'd have to ask my father about.
Thanks for the advice!

**marc873** · 09-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Welcome to Tpunk!!!!

supmjay · 10-06-2009, 09:01 AM

Thank you!

**travelpunk** · 10-06-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

To me it's all about meeting new people, having amazing new experiences, seeing new sights, and just becoming a more well-rounded person overall.

Those were exactly my goals as well, and probably 99% of Tpunks! You've come to the right place

.

Welcome to TPunk, Mauricette

!

**LostFarmboy** · 10-06-2009, 03:03 PM

Welcome to the boards Mauricette!

If it's a cheap travel destination you're after - head south! Central and South America are bloody brilliant places to travel - Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Argentina are all stunning places.

**expatben** · 10-06-2009, 03:22 PM

Welcome! I have never been to Ireland myself but have heard good things. Also, it being English speaking may be benificial if its your first time backpacking-then again maybe not.

**TheWills** · 10-08-2009, 02:51 PM

Welcome!
Your gonna love it here

I like your idea of Ireland, as someone said before its a good place to start if you have never been anywhere before, yet at the same time its all thelittle diffrences that make you feel like your not in Kansas anymore :D

And of course if you have any questions never hesitate to ask us :D