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Archive for January, 2010
Studying Abroad in Rome: a first-hand account from DIWYY reader, Emily
![DSCN0193[1]](http://www.diwyy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSCN01931.JPG "DSCN0193[1]")
DIWYY reader, Emily, is a sophomore at Saint Louis University who is currently studying abroad in Rome, Italy. Throughout her program, she will be writing about her experiences abroad. In today’s post, Emily gives advice on choosing a program and also helpful tips for preparing for departure.
Getting Started: One of the most important steps, obviously, is deciding to study abroad. Studying abroad is truly a unique opportunity for young adults to expand their horizons and explore the world before entering into the “real world”… I think anyone who is able should study abroad. So, once you’ve decided to study abroad, it’s important to tell your academic counselor as soon as possible. Even if you decide freshman year that you want to study abroad as a junior, you can form your schedule so that you have a lot of flexibility to take interesting classes abroad, even if they don’t count for your major. Also, the semester before you leave, many schools have mandatory meetings with important information about study abroad.
How Emily chose Italy: Today, American colleges make it possible to study abroad virtually anywhere in the world, if you’re willing to find the right program. Your school might only offer programs in certain cities, but universities are almost always willing to accommodate other programs. Obviously, choosing where to study abroad is a huge decision. You should of course look at the classes offered by a particular program, and whether these classes relate to your major (although I know many people who took no classes for their major while studying abroad). But I think more important than this is whether you’d want to spend a significant amount of time in the city of your choice. Wherever you go, you will be there for a long time, so you should be sure that you’ll have the time of your life there. Important factors to consider are whether you like the food (if you hate Asian food, Beijing might not be a good option), whether you can travel to other desirable destinations, and how well you will be able to adapt to the culture.
That said, I chose to study abroad in Rome. I have never been to Italy, and I don’t speak any Italian. In fact, I am actually a double major in History and French. However, I’ve always wanted to learn Italian, and I can’t think of a better way than immersing myself in the culture. I was able to find a program taught in English, so applicants don’t have to have taken any Italian classes, although we do have to take an Italian class when we’re there. Since I already know French, I’m hoping Italian will be easier for me to learn. Additionally, I have been obsessed with Italian food since I first tasted spaghetti, and I am a complete coffee freak. Also, although studying in Rome may not be conducive to my French major, I can afford to take a semester break from French, and I’m getting two really interesting History credits while I’m here. So, although there are several factors that should be considered when choosing a location to study abroad in, the fact of the matter is that you have to choose where you want to go – you can almost always make it work with your major.
Applying to a Program: Colleges generally want their students to study abroad, so the programs are not super competitive to get into. However, it is important to pay attention to deadlines for applications, as these are not flexible. You can almost always apply early, and usually you will be accepted earlier if you submit your application earlier. So try to submit your application as soon as you can after deciding what program you want to go through. After you get accepted, there are a ton of preparations and no time to waste!
Preparing for departure: Usually, you will get a checklist about things to do while studying abroad from either your study abroad department or the program you are going through. I used the checklist that Saint Louis University provided me, and it was basically my bible for getting ready to go abroad. I can’t stress enough how important it is to start early on this stuff. I put it off because I was busy with school work, and I ended up having to pay a fortune to overnight tons of documents to the Italian Consulate. There are also other details that should be dealt with before you leave, such as international health insurance, which you will definitely want to consider. You’ll need passport pictures for just about everything, so it’s probably smart just to get a package of 10 and be done with it. You’re probably going to have to get a visa from the country you’re traveling to, and that needs to be done at least a few months before you leave.
Some programs offer group flights to your destination. These flights are usually fairly cheap, and offer transportation from the airport to your campus, which is good if you don’t want to deal with a taxi your first day. Also, some of these flights offer perks such as a free change of departure date from the city you’re studying in, if you decide last minute that you want to stay longer. However, these flights sometimes don’t leave from your hometown, which could be inconvenient. If you decide to travel on a group flight, be sure to pay attention to the due dates for those materials as well.
Typically, you will register for your classes before going abroad. Try to sign up for classes the minute registration opens, because study abroad classes fill up really fast. I am going through a program at another school, so when I registered, I went through the steps a few times before registration opened, so that I would be familiar with the process and be able to do it quickly.
Packing for your study abroad adventure: This step is pretty fresh in my mind because I’m actually writing this on the plane to Rome!! So I just finished all my packing. Packing for study abroad is kind of like the hardest parts of packing to go to college and packing for a trip combined. You’re going to be abroad for months on end, so you need to bring enough clothes to last you that long, and you need to account for the changes in season and weather. You also need to bring enough toiletries for several months. Items such as laundry detergent, shampoo, makeup, etc. can be hard to find, depending on your location, or way more expensive than at home. It’s easiest just to pack enough to last. Don’t forget necessities such as adapters, laundry bags, etc. Depending on where you are going, you might want to leave your straighteners and hairdryers at home, because the electric currency is stronger in Europe and it will fry your appliances (unless you have a converter, which is a pain). You can find cheap European hair appliances once you arrive. Also keep in mind that wherever you’re going, you will probably accumulate some new purchases while you’re there. I actually packed an empty small duffel in one of my checked bags, for things that I buy while I’m in Rome.
We will be hearing from Emily again soon as she soaks in Roman culture and ventures to neighboring European countries on weekends.
DIWYY Podcast 1 1/26/10
Do It While You're Young
DIWYY Travel Podcast Do It While You’re Young Podcast Introduction by JerriWebsites We Love: HotelsCombined.com
If you love the search functionality of airline search websites like Kayak.com and Yapta.com, you will love HotelsCombined.com, a site dedicated solely to booking hotel stays. Booking a hotel is easy- start by entering the city, desired dates, and number of rooms and then it will produce a listing of properties for you to review. You can read reviews and then proceed to the booking site for purchase. Best of all, HotelsCombined.com is free to use!
Why We Love It:
-Are you loyal to a certain brand of hotels? You can select which chains you want to search to find the best deal that will earn you points. If you are not already signed up with a hotel loyalty program, be sure to read last week’s post on how to sign-up and how the programs work.
-Trying to find a place with an on-site gym? Want a hotel that will let you bring Fido with? HotelsCombined.com has boxes you can check to only show properties which meet that criteria.
-The reviews section is very thorough and can give you a customer’s perspective of the property. However, DIWYY recommends to always take this feedback with a grain of salt…it is a common fact that people speak up more when they are unhappy than when they are satisfied. Try to look for consistency or common themes in the posts from various reviews to develop a better sense.
-HotelsCombined.com also has a great new program that donates money to charity when new people follow them on social networking sites. Simply become a fan of them on Facebook and tweet about them on Twitter, and they’ll donate $5 and $10, respectively, to the World Wildlife Federation, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, or World Vision (your choice). Full details can be found here as to how to make sure your dollars get allocated to charity.
Exploring Hotel Loyalty Programs
Most travelers are enrolled in some sort of frequent flyer program but most people forget about another type of program that has just as lucrative of rewards…hotel loyalty programs. Like airline programs, you earn points for each stay and redeem them for free hotel stays as well as other merchandise and experiences. And most will allow you to enjoy extra perks for being a member, sometimes on your first stay. Since the programs are free, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Here’s how to get started:
There are quite a few hotel chains in the world. If you travel for business, your company may have a partnership with a certain chain so that is a good start. For leisure travelers, think of the type of hotel you usually book and join that program. Or, if you want to cover all your bases and be prepared for any scenario, join them all:
- Hilton HHonors
- Hyatt Gold Passport
- Intercontinental Hotels Priority Club
- Marriott Rewards
- Omni Select Guest
- Starwood Preferred Guest
By signing up, you’ll be able to subscribe to special offers and promotions (opportunities to earn double or triple points per stay sometimes). Be sure to keep your web usernames and passwords for all programs in a convenient place so you can log-in to book stays, check point balance and redeem rewards. (Bonus Tip: Want to compare programs? Starwood Preferred Guest created a matrix of the various programs. While it is meant to persuade you to join their program, you can also use it to view all programs at a glance.)
After you have earned rewards, you can redeem a reward which is one of the major advantages of these programs. You see, you could be earning points for business travel or leisure stays within the United State and then redeem those points for a destination stay–picturing yourself on the beach of a Mexican Resort or sipping a cappuccino at a four-star hotel in Rome was never easier. You can also do the same with property type—why not earn your points with Hilton HHonors at budget-friendly Hampton Inn and then indulge in their Waldorf-Astoria brand?
We’d love to hear your tips for getting the most out of hotel loyalty programs. Share your tips here or on Facebook.
Q&A: Hiking Trip in February
I’ve got a week off at the end of February that I don’t know what to do with and am toying with heading to somewhere abroad to go hiking for a week. Have any ideas? – Chris
Lucky you! The end of February is a great time to travel as it is more of a “shoulder season” so deals should be plentiful and you can head into Central America for warm days or to the Southern Hemisphere to catch the tail-end of summer! DIWYY did some sleuthing and has some suggestions for you to explore:
-Head down to Loreto, Mexico for 7-day Baja Multisport organized by REI Adventures. In addition to hiking, you will also get a chance to mountain bike, sea kayak, and snorkel. And to make your life easier, the price of all sports equipment is included in the tour cost. Tour starts at $1,699 (land only) and has two February departures: February 14th and February 28th.
-Have you hiked the Inca trail? GAP Adventures has a 7-day tour called The Inca Trail which will allow you to spend a few days hiking before seeing awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. The tour is priced at $749 and includes accommodations (combination of hotels and camping), several meals, guided tours, and support staff during the trek. GAP Adventures has numerous February departures.
-Why not head further south into South America and explore Argentina or Chile? Places like Patagonia, Cordoba, and El Calafate, would provide the right mix of relaxation and adventure. If you want to do something informal, look into buying a return ticket into a major city like Santiago (SCL), Buenos Aires (EZE), or even smaller Argentinean cities like Cordoba (COR) or El Calafate (FTE) and explore! If you opt for Cordoba, check out Qualia Tourism. Although the website is in Spanish, the owner, Martin, speaks English. The website features several excursions on varying lengths. Use Google Translate if you need help deciphering the site.
-Morocco is another option. We found a reasonably priced tour from Top Deck with their 9-day Moroccan Explorer trip. While it does not include hiking, it does include lots of culture and adventure! They have availability on February 20th for only $825 (land only). Flights into Marrakesh from the US will transit through Europe.
Do you have a travel question? Be sure to visit the DIWYY homepage and use our question submittal form!
Top 10 Things about 10 Hour Flights
Usually when you see an itinerary for a flight longer than 10 hours, you groan to yourself as you try to figure out how you can survive comfortably. I find myself on these long haul flights frequently going back and forth from the United States to pretty much any other continent. On my recent flight from Salt Lake City to Paris, I decided to put my new Netbook to good use and compiled a list of all the good things about long flights. Here they are (in no particular order):
1. Long flights = bigger planes. More room to walk around to stretch your legs. And if you are on a Boeing 747, you’ll even have stairs!
2. Get a seat with a power supply and work on that novel you have always said you wanted to write. If you’re lucky to get a plane with Internet for the long-haul, think of all the productivity time you can have. Find a seat with power by finding your plane’s diagram at SeatGuru.com.
3. Catch-up on new release movies and, when you get home, you clear a few out of your Netflix queue.
4. Studying for a big exam? I am. Armed with my study guide and a notebook, I had hours of uninterrupted study time where I feel I actually absorbed some information since I wasn’t distracted by the Internet, TV, the cat and pretty much everything else in my house.
5. Got a cute boy sitting next to you? He’s going to be sitting next to you for a while. Get to know him a little better if you’re interested.
6. It’s a long enough flight that you can justify slipping into comfy pants and slippers.
7. Undivided attention on that Sudoku or crossword puzzle you want to master.
8. Coming home from a trip and have your computer? Don’t forget your USB cable and you can upload your photos en route. And, with all your spare time, you can even label them while the info is fresh in your head.
9. You can actually get some quality shut-eye. To support the cause, bring a sleep mask, ear plugs and a neck pillow. Supplement it with the airline provided blanket and pillow and you can create a little oasis.
10. On long flights, the airlines are required to feed you something, usually a hot meal. As much as people complain, they really aren’t that bad. And sometimes, you are in for a special treat—I have had ice cream bars and fresh chocolate chip cookies (so fresh, the entire plan smelled like a bakery) on Continental.
Can you think of other perks to long flights? Post them here or on Facebook?
Written by Kristina, DIWYY co-founder. Email her at kristina@diwyy.com.
Trip Review: Peregrine’s Highlight of Tunisia
As told by DIWYY co-founder, Kristina, who traveled to Tunisia in December 2009.
Tour Operator: Peregrine Adventures
Trip Name: Highlights of Tunisia
Starting/Ending Point: This trip started and ended in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. A complimentary arrival transfer from the airport was included.
Number of Days: 10 days
When I went: I left on a late December 2009 departure of this tour. Even though it was winter, it was beautiful. The days were mild, sunny and full of blue skies but the nights did get a little chilly. I would much rather have these conditions then the 45 degree celcius summer days the locals were telling me about!
Highlights of trip: Tunis is a modern capital city rich in both French and Middle Eastern influences. You can spend a few days exploring The Medina, the historical site of Carthage and the beautiful ocean-front city of Sidi Bou Said, known for its blue and white color scheme. While in Tunis, we also explored the Bardo Museum, housing numerous mosaics and other relics. During my free time, I would walk around the main strip, Avenue Bourguiba, and also ventured to the local parks.
The trip continued to the holy city of Kairouan but not before a day excursion to the city of Dougga. It is beautiful and, if you didn’t tell me, I would have sworn I was in Tuscany. The landscape is lush and green, full of immaculate rows of olive trees. The site of Dougga is also impressive and the tour allots a few hours here to explore the ruins and take photographs.
Throughout the next few days, as your head south, you will see the landscape transform for greenery to the desert terrain. Most of the towns you encounter along the way, either for rest breaks, lunch or overnights, will be an oasis of the Sahara Desert. You will overnight in Tozeur, a small oasis primarily centered around tourism, and Ksar Ghilane, a beautiful spot where you will overnight camp in luxury tents.
Venturing north again, you will visit Matmata, a popular stop for any Star Wars fans, as that is where they have shot many of the scenes for the movies. On the way back to Tunis, a brief stint in Mahdia, a seaside town, will complete your journey. My favorite things here were a day trip to El Jem, home of the famous coliseum, and walking alongside the ocean on the nice, paved pathway.
Tips for future travelers:
-Be prepared to bargain when shopping in the markets. Never accept a first offer! Same thing goes for cab fares. Ask your guide or someone at the hotel if you need a realistic idea about prices.
-Speaking of shopping, most items will be available throughout the country so you can get things at the end of the trip in most cases. Only some items are region-specific and your guide will point those out. Also, the Monoprix grocery store in Tunis is a great shopping zone. While you can’t bargain, you can get Tunisian-made goodies like sea salt and olive oil which make great gifts (just remember to put the olive oil in your checked bag since it is a liquid over 3 ounces).
-98% of Tunisian residents are Muslim so conservative dress is a must, especially if you’ll be visiting a mosque. Choose lightweight fabrics that are breathable and try to layer with scarves and a jacket for the varying temperatures. In Tunis, I opted for jeans and a hoodie but, in the desert, I lived in my Lululemon pants, long-sleeve shirts with built in SPF, and a tighter fitting hoodie with a wind-breaker style jacket over. Sunglasses and hats are essential as well.
-Most dishes contain meat in this country so, if you are vegetarian, bring extra snacks in your bag and plan on meals of couscous and pasta. Fruit is readily available here so you’ll always be able to grab a banana, oranges or some dates for a quick bite. If you have a food allergy or want to ensure you truly get a vegetarian dish, use Google Translate to make a card in Arabic and French that says no fish/no meat or the specific items you cannot have.
-Smoking is very common in Tunisia. In most tourist restaurants, there will be a non-smoking section so be sure to ask for that. As much as you try to avoid it, you will still find yourself smelling like it. Bring Febreeze to refresh your clothing at the end of the day and perfume or essential oils to mask the odor.
-Surprisingly, hair dryers were not available at all hotels (and if they were, there was sometimes a fee). If you use one daily, you may consider bringing a small travel-size one with.
Would you like to write a review of a trip you have taken? Email kristina@diwyy.com.
Been on Peregrine’s Highlights of Tunisia? Add your tips and suggestions in the comments field.
Airport Transfers: To Take a Taxi or Not?
Taxi drivers seem to be synonymous with getting ripped off in most places I travel. Whether it was the time the cab driver took me all the way to the airport instead of the train station like I requested in Shanghai (causing me to run into the terminal to get additional money) or another time in India where the cab driver tried to add on a surcharge for every bag I had with (I understand my suitcase but my purse, really??). So, it is no surprise that I was warned about the cab drivers in Tunisia. As I went to depart the country, I grabbed a taxi outside my hotel who said he would use the meter (usually, a good thing) but this meter was moving a little too quick leading me to believe it had been manipulated, especially since the hotel said it would be 5 Dinar (about $4 US) and the meter was well at that as soon as we drove down the street! As we drove, the driver continued to speak to me in French which I somehow understood. He wanted to add a 5 Dinar surcharge for each of my bags and another fee since it was 6:30am (however, I had done my research and learned that this “evening surcharge” is only valid between 9:00pm and 6:00am). He was now telling me my total fare was going to be 20-some Dinar, not what I had budgeted for! Luckily, I was able to stand my ground and haggle the price down to a lower rate. I was able to be forceful without being emotional—I was so impressed with myself! To prevent a scene playing out like this, here are some tips to follow:
1) Always ask the price before getting in the cab. If it seems too high, haggle or find another cab. Make sure the price is all inclusive of fees, surcharges, tolls, etc. I would advise against asking “Are there any other fees” as a slimy cab driver will use that opportunity to tack on more money. Instead, repeat back the total to firm up the verbal agreement.
2) Get your money out while in the cab, preferably out of sight of the cab driver. I have seen occurrences where the cab driver saw a larger note or another currency in someone’s wallet and insisted upon a different total. Not cool, cab drivers! I usually stash the money in my pocket so I don’t even need to open my purse.
3) When it comes time to pay, I wait until everyone is safely out of the car and all luggage is curbside. In the event the cab driver gets irate about the total fare or the tip (or lack therefore of if service/driving was less than optimal), at least you and your belongings are out of the way.
Don’t want to deal with a cab? Ask your hotel or tour operator about the charges for private transport. The advantage is a set price and they will run on your schedule. Downside, they tend to be more expensive. If you can gather a few people together to split the fare, usually it will work out to be pretty affordable. Don’t forget, you usually tip the driver who transports you to the airport. Usually $1-2 per person (more if you have lots of bags). Another option is bus, train or subway. This option will vary so do your homework beforehand to see what options exist (remember, you can post a question like this in the DIWYY forums to get advice for other readers) and to see costs and schedules.
I hope I don’t scare you but I want you to be informed of the way cab drivers work. By being prepared and holding your ground, you can get the upper hand in the situation. Sometimes, a cabbie who is trying to take advantage of you just needs a swift (verbal) kick in the you-know-what!
Have another taxi tip? Post it here or on Facebook.
Written by DIWYY co-founder, Kristina. Email her at Kristina@diwyy.com
Graduating next summer? Celebrate with a trip!
If you will be graduating from high school or college in 2010, it is time to start planning your post-grad adventure. At this point in time, you have sufficient time to save up money and secure deals on airfare and tours. So, grab a few or two, or travel solo, and get out there and explore this awesome planet. DIWYY has done some research and has suggestions for you that meet people’s travel preferences and won’t break the bank!
All prices are land only unless otherwise indicated. See our recommendations below for ways to save on flights.
If you’re looking for:
Adventure: You just finished school, why don’t you step out of the classroom and into a new place with exciting adventure? Take a look at Gecko’s Adventures Safari & Spice that ventures to Kenya and Tanzania. Head out on safari to Serengeti National Park and within the impressive Ngorongoro Crater. After, head to the beautiful spice island of Zanzibar. Explore the intricate streets of Stone Town and then venture north to the beaches Nungwi. While you are on the island, try snorkeling or scuba diving in the pristine waters. Trip cost is $1,995.
For the girl who loves to hike, consider exploring Peru and Machu Picchu on GAP Adventure’s The Inca Trail, starting at just $749 for a 7-day trip. Join the tour in Cuzco and then trek 82 kilometers to Sun Gate where you will catch your first glimpse of this historic site.
Cultural Immersion: Head to Oaxaca, Mexico and spent some time at the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca to practice your Spanish language skills and also learn about Mexican culture. Two weeks in their Main Program, which consists of seven hours of instruction and interaction daily, will run you less than $300. The institute can also arrange for accommodations ranging from homestays to apartments.
Giving Back: Why not combine travel and volunteerism by venturing to a foreign country with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village Program? Global Village trips allow travelers to spend the working day building houses for local residents while the evenings and weekends are allocated for excursions, cultural events and free time. Next summer has trips to countries like Mongolia, Portugal and El Salvador; see the complete schedule for all trips.
Nightlife: Check out Contiki’s European Horizon, a 12-day budget trip that will run you $1,349. With stops in European hotspots like Amsterdam, Paris and Munich, you can explore the history and culture of these magnificent places and spend the nights check out the local scene.
Contiki also offers a 15-day trip called Spanish Spree that stops in Barcelona, Madrid and the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. Spend your days lounging by the beach and your nights staying out until the sun comes up. This trip is priced at $2,235 and has Sunday departures throughout summer.
Rest & Relaxation: If you are burnt out from final exams, papers and endless reading, check out Intrepid’s Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Thailand and Malta and their Yoga by the Sea trip to Sri Lanka. Enjoy twice daily yoga classes on all three trips and spend your free time enjoying local activities, savoring the cuisines or just relaxing! The trip cost ranges from $405 to $910 per person for the week depending on the location. The 2010 dates are not on the website but Intrepid has assured us that the trips are running next year. Email them at boulder@intrepidtravel.com for more info.
Financing Your Trip: Once you have a dream trip in mind, start saving so you can make that trip a reality. Some tips:
-Most trips only require a small deposit (usually somewhere between $200-500). This holds your spot. You can then make payments each month to help spread the cost out.
-Ask about any available discounts. Most tour companies have specials for people who pay for the whole trip at time of booking, pay cash or book with other travelers at the same time.
-Also inquire with the tour operator about flight specials. Many of them partner with airlines and can offer deals.
-Have a close friend or family member who travels frequently for business? Perhaps they would like to off-load some of their frequent flyer miles to help subsidize your trip. Do note that frequent flyer tickets usually sell out quickly so advanced planning and travel flexibility is required.
-Have an upcoming birthday? Sending out graduation announcements? Instead of gifts that will just clutter your room, consider starting a Travel Registry (check out Contiki’s program) or travel savings account to finance your trip. Friends and family who have experienced the joys of exploring the world are likely to happily contribute to your dream trip in honor of your special day or lifetime milestone.
- Lastly, consider picking up a part-time job in town or offer to babysit. From every paycheck, put half away for travel and keep the other half for everyday expenses. Before you know it, you will have enough to put a deposit down.
Written by Kristina, DIWYY co-founder. Email Kristina at kristina@diwyy.com.
