It Makes Cents

Students learn art of travel on budget

Economical, inexpensive and free — these words mean a lot to any college student living on a tight budget. For students who plan on traveling abroad, those words are important when making decisions concerning travel arrangements, living accommodations and food expenses.

World traveler Gil White addressed many of the budget any issues that students face when traveling in foreign countries during his presentation Tuesday night, “Europe on 84 Cents a Day.” White provided many unconventional and cost-effective ways to travel across Europe and other continents. His tips encouraged students to make lasting memories while traveling without coming home to credit card debt that could last equally as long as one’s trip.

Junior Taylor Kennedy, University Program Board director of Issues and Cultural Awareness, said she thought White’s program would be helpful because, “students love to travel, and many go to Europe over spring and summer breaks.”

White started out his presentation by telling the audience about his own inexpensive travels. While in Europe, he saw 30 countries in four months and spent only $1,000, including airfare.

“I never fail to get looks of disbelief,” White said.

White made many suggestions for obtaining inexpensive or even free transportation. He believes that “half the fun of traveling is how you get there.” One of the travel options he emphasized was “getting picked up,” meaning either by hitchhiking on the side of the highway, or by stopping people at gas stations and asking them for rides. He said that “looking clean-cut is everything” when trying to get picked up for a ride. White explained that if you do not look clean-cut, people are less likely to want to give you a ride.

White also expressed the importance of showing gratitude to those who help with travel, provide a meal or offer a place to sleep. He suggested that by doing odd jobs for these individuals, such as cooking, doing yard work or being a nanny, a traveler can repay them for their kindness without actually giving them money.

In the end, White explained it is important to remember that regardless of your method of travel, as long as you form relationships with people “you’re [going to] have a great time no matter where you go.”

Sophomore Katie Adams was shocked by many of White’s experiences in Europe and in other continents, from hitchhiking to skydiving to finding free resting places at police stations. “I can’t believe he made it back in one piece,” Adams said.

Senior Evan Schwartz also was a bit leery of some of White’s travel advice. “I’m not sure that hitchhiking and rooming with random Yugoslavian peasants is such a good idea,” he said. “I’ll have to learn to trust people if I’m [going] to use any of his cheap travel tips.”