College is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and try new things. While a college budget might make travel feel challenging, saving up is well worth the effort.
Use your spring break or summer vacation to explore—whether with friends or on your own!
Here are 10 bucket list trips to take in college!
The Best Spring Break Destinations
Need some inspiration for spring break? I've put together a list of my top spring break destinations from the beaches in Mexico to the slopes in Whistler!
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10 Easy Ways to Save Money to Travel the World
Booking a trip is easy with smart spending and strategic saving. Here are 10 easy ways to set attainable goals and save money to travel the world!
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Volunteer over Spring Break
Instead of the traditional party vibe that accompanies most spring breaks, join a volunteer effort abroad. There are hundreds of ways for young people to volunteer, from building libraries to feeding the homeless.
In my junior year, I joined a student-led volunteer effort in Honduras, Global Water Brigades, which organizes students into clean water programs all over the world.
The Ultimate Guide To Volunteer Travel
The idea of volunteer travel is something that appeals to many people. This guide covers the ethics and expectations of volunteering abroad.
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Unique Ways to Volunteer Abroad
Even after traveling to some of the most beautiful places around the world, some of my fondest memories include the trips in which I've volunteered abroad. Ready to do your part? Here are unique ways to volunteer abroad.
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Study Abroad
Studying abroad is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in a culture and authentically explore a country.
Spending a semester or school year abroad offers a completely different experience compared to a short visit of just a week or two. It’s an opportunity to deeply connect with your host country.
You can take courses on local history, improve your language skills, or get to know a neighborhood market.
If your university offers a homestay program, jump at the chance!
10 Reasons Studying Abroad is Worth It
Studying abroad is a rite of passage and nobody should miss it. It changes the way that you see the world and your own culture, and offers new experiences!
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How to Find the Best Study Abroad Program
One of the best things you can experience in college student is studying abroad. Here are my tips on finding the best study abroad program!
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Explore Whistler on Winter Break
Canada is a magical place, and Whistler is by far one of the best winter getaways I’ve had. From snowmobiling, dogsledding, enjoying a Nordic-inspired spa, or skiing the slopes, Whistler is the best winter vacation destination!
Top 10 Things to Do in Whistler During Winter
On my trip to Whistler, I was also able to go snowmobiling, snowboarding and even dog sledding! Here are the top 10 things to do in Whistler during winter!
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The Ultimate Canada Travel Guide
Canada is an incredible destination for adventurous travelers. Here's my ultimate travel guide to Canada and everything you need to know before you go!
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California Coast Road Trip
Though not as exotic as a trip abroad, the Pacific Coast Highway is an exhilarating experience.
Start the road trip in Santa Cruz, travel through Monterey, and past the striking coastal cliffs of Big Sur. The drive will take you south through vineyard-rich valleys of San Luis Obispo and Napa, and onto San Francisco. Farther along is Santa Barbara and onto the windswept coast of San Diego.
It’s all the more fun if you can get your friends to come along for the ride.
10 Day California Coast Road Trip Itinerary
The California coastline offers an impressive diversity that few places on the planet can compare to. Here’s my 10 day California coast road trip itinerary.
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3-Day California Coast Road Trip
For the perfect "sampler platter" of sights and activities on a California coast road trip, I recommend planning 3 days from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
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Euro Trip
Ah, the Euro trip, the epitome of youth travel.
Though each Euro trip is different, encompassing how many countries for however long, the dream of a budget, backpacking trip through Europe is a favorite for college students.
It’s a rite of passage for those who have time and reserves, and a great time to test yourself and your friends’ resourcefulness.
The Ultimate Europe Travel Guide
Europe is one of the most diverse continents you can visit – it has a deep-rooted history and is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world.
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The Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking Europe
Backpacking through Europe is on many people’s bucket list. Why not make it a reality? Here are ten tips for first-timers interested in backpacking Europe!
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Full Moon Party in Thailand
Okay, so you’re the beach party type but still want to go abroad.
Head to Thailand!
The Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Ko Pha Ngan. It’s mostly a tourist event and occurs around each month’s full moon, drawing up to 30,000 people.
It’s a fun option if you’re in Southern Thailand already, as it’s just 30 minutes from Koh Samui by boat.
The Beginner’s Guide to The Full Moon Party in Thailand
Each month, on the night of the full moon, thousands of people come from all over the world to partake in the Full Moon Party and dance all night long!
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The Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide
Thailand was the first destination I decided to travel to solo. I island hopped, explored Bangkok and partied until sunrise at the Full Moon Party.
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Have a South American Adventure
South America is a popular choice for travelers in their 20’s—cheap accommodation, short flights from the USA, and a Spanish-speaking majority. Hike the mountains to Machu Picchu. Go canoeing in the rainforest with a guide. Party in Buenos Aires.
South America is the perfect continent for newbie backpackers.
The Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking South America
As a large and diverse continent, you will have different experiences wherever you explore. Here is my beginner's guide to backpacking South America!
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10 Incredible Adventures to Have in South America
Vibrant, diverse, and completely captivating, South America is unlike anywhere else you have ever been. Here are ten incredible adventures to have there!
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Study Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great destination for college students interested in biology. There are a number of science centers in the cloud forests designed to study the local fauna and flora.
Learn about the rainforest in a hands-on environment. Follow in the footsteps of Von Humboldt and Darwin and study delicate ecosystems up close!
The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Guide
Costa Rica is an incredible destination full of natural wonders, diverse wildlife, cloud forests and some excellent surf spots!
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The Best Time to Travel to Costa Rica
This Central American country offers volcanic-sand coastlines, rugged coves, and white-sand beaches. Here’s is the best time to go to Costa Rica!
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Experience Amsterdam
If you book early enough, you can stay in Amsterdam on a tight budget, and student rates are often available for groups. Get your friends and hop on a flight to sightsee the canals and check out the local bars and clubs.
Amsterdam is very youth-friendly, with a plethora of free tours and concerts, especially in the summer.
The Ultimate Amsterdam Travel Guide
Amsterdam is well-known for its history, canals, museums, and architecture. Use my tips from this ultimate Amsterdam travel guide to plan your trip!
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10 Things You Must Do in Amsterdam
While the famous “I am Amsterdam” sign is no longer there, it was just one of the many iconic experiences to be had. Here are the 10 things you must do in Amsterdam!
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Go on The Yacht Week
The Yacht Week is a fun sailing adventure where people can meet and party all week long. I’ve hopped on the yacht five times already, and always eager to go back to the gorgeous island destinations, amazing sea sunsets, and fun parties.
The Ultimate Guide to The Yacht Week Greece
For me, The Yacht Week Greece is the most well-balanced route of them all. There is gorgeous sailing and destinations, delicious food and parties.
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The Ultimate Guide to The Yacht Week Croatia
I have a soft spot for the The Yacht Week Croatia route as it was my first experience with TYW. Here's a guide to everything you need to know!
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Hey Kiersten.
I absolutely love this article, you have covered such a broad range of different types of trips to take while in college that appeal to all different types of students so I feel everyone can get something out of this.
As I myself are a university student in Australia I am always looking for the perfect trip to take when I only have two weeks here or there to travel in. This article has helped me add some places onto my bucket list that I cannot miss, Thank you!
Surprisingly I have actually done a few of these trips already like the full moon party in Thailand, road trip of California and a Europe trip all which I recommend to every person I have met. It was really fascinating to see them on them list and know that I have made some pretty good selections in trips I have taken throughout university.
Thank you so much for the always-inspiring articles, you make my wanderlust grow more and more every article I read and my bucket list grow more and more each week. Thank you.
amazing photos! thank you.