Nobonita Chowdhury
Let’s face it, we all like visiting new places. But the traveling is expensive with a capital “E”. So if you’re young and broke here are some tips on how to travel the world at “almost” no cost. I say almost because there will always be some small side expenses, regardless of wherever you go.
•Volunteer work in exchange for lodgings: Certain websites, such has Work Away has a list of hosts in places all over the world who let foreigners stay over in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work. The website does have a 10 euro signup fee but if you aren’t up for that you can always use Google to manually find out information.
•Teaching English as a second language: There are a lot of opportunities to teach English around the world where you actually get paid to travel! Try getting TESOL or TEFL certification. They train you while you’re working on the job and the certification allows you to teach anywhere in the world.
•World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF): This organization is one of the coolest I’ve come across so far. They give you work on a farm in exchange for free food and lodgings. If you don’t mind doing farm work, then do check this out because it’s a really great opportunity to learn more about the locals and their culture.
•Couch Surfing: Couch Surfing is the thrifty traveler’s version of Airbnb. On this site you can either host or stay with people around the world for free. The lodging might not always be the most comfortable, hence the words “couch surfing”. But it is still a great way to save money if you’re on a tight budget. Most people who have used Couch Surfing say that their hosts are usually very friendly, and you can always communicate with them beforehand to see whether they are a good fit.
Just to be clear, there’s tourism, and then there’s traveling. If you want to be as comfortable as you usually are when you’re a tourist, then this article is not for you. However, if your sole purpose is to travel regardless of how uncomfortable it may be, then do try these out.