Traveling on a Budget
With the fall season upon us, this is the time that people usually enjoy traveling someplace warmer, taking in the fall foliage, or starting to plan vacations for the winter/spring break periods. As a college student, the financial burden of traveling may discourage some from taking the leap to book a trip.
Here are some tips to find cheaper alternatives to traveling:
- If you’re looking for cheap flights and hotels, Skyscanner is an excellent resource to use no matter where your destination is.
- Traveling doesn’t have to mean going international, or even to another state. New Hampshire is known for its extensive list of mountains, and you have your work cut out for you with hiking the 48 4,000-footers. The website AllTrails gives a lot of information on nearby trails, including the length in miles, the estimated time to complete, pictures of the scenery, and the level of difficulty.
- There are even great places to explore near the UNH campus, including College Woods (walking distance) and Adam’s Point (short drive).
Traveling can be beneficial for your overall mental health. It gives you the opportunity to have new experiences and meet people you otherwise wouldn’t. You can indulge in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, skiing, and any other activities you may enjoy. It can be a great stress reliever and improve your outlook on life. A study from 2013 showed that 80% of respondents said traveling improves their general mood, and 75% of respondents said it reduced their stress levels. Traveling can also boost creativity and increase productivity at work. A study from Harvard found that 94% of respondents had as much or even more energy after coming back from a successful trip.
UNH has many resources to help students explore beyond the classroom at a lower cost. The Outing Club hosts trips that are as little as $5 to register for. Some of UNH’s study abroad programs may even have lower tuition expenses than a traditional semester at UNH.
