Budget-Friendly Summer Travel Destinations for Students

School can be fun, but it can also be stressful, which leads many students to want to get away in the summer months. While vacations can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable options, including budget-friendly flights, restaurants, entertainment, hotels and more. Keep a few considerations in mind and plan a budget-friendly yet memorable summer vacation. 

Most Affordable Destinations in South and Central America

South and Central America offer many fun destinations and beautiful beaches, but the most popular places aren't usually very affordable for students. There are, however, some inexpensive places for students to enjoy, including Arenal Area (Costa Rica), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Bolivia.

·         Arenal Area, Costa Rica: Costa Rica offers plenty of adventure opportunities and beautiful natural surroundings. Travel to Arenal Area is inexpensive and there are plenty of hostels and hotels where students can stay. Restaurants also offer great deals on authentic Costa Rican cuisine.  

·         San Juan, Puerto Rico: Travelling to San Juan is cheap and the destination has plenty of budget-friendly places to stay, such as hostels. Hostels in San Juan are usually aimed at students, so you will likely meet, party and find adventure with many other students. For the best food, drink and entertainment, just take a walk to the neighborhood, La Plaza del Mercado in Santurce.

·         Bolivia: Bolivia is becoming more and more popular and yet it’s still affordable for students. The flights can be pricey, so start shopping around early and you're sure to score a great deal.

 Most Affordable Destinations in Europe and Asia

Asia and Europe have a great deal to offer when it comes to culture and history. Some of the most budget-friendly travel destinations in Europe and Asia include Albania, Vietnam and Thailand.

·         Albania: Albania is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Europe. Because it’s located in the Mediterranean, Albania has beautiful beaches and mild weather conditions.

·         Vietnam: Vietnam is experiencing an influx in tourism, yet it remains inexpensive. Its growing popularity can be attributed to its magnificent foliage and wildlife. For example, the Con Dao Island and National Park is home to infamous wildlife, including unique sea turtles. 

·         Thailand: Thailand is a popular destination for students, mostly because it’s affordable and offers many beautiful sights. The destination also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, which can beef up any resume.

Most Affordable Destinations in North America

North America has plenty of 'hidden gems' that offer great food, great entertainment, great sights and great relaxation, all at a great price. Some of the most notable hidden gems in North America include: New Orleans (Louisiana), Panama City (Florida) and Niagara Falls (New York/Canada).

·         New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans is often considered a party town that’s brimming with culture and history. The city is known for lively music and entertainment, buzzing nightlife and world-renowned food. However, the party scene is typically what makes it so attractive to students. New Orleans has famous Halloween, New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras celebrations. Hostels make it affordable to stay in the city, while its walkability makes it affordable to travel around while you're there.

·         Panama City, Florida: Florida is a top destination for vacationing students, especially Panama City. It’s famous for its spring break celebrations but is more affordable during the off season.

·         Niagara Falls, New York/Canada: Niagara Falls, between New York state and the province of Ontario, is known for its natural beauty. Students can find affordable accommodations in New York and fun nightlife in Canada.

 When you live in North America, it’s easy to overlook all of the great travel destinations, but there are many to choose from. Not only are these destinations close to home, they also tend to be more affordable.

Before you set off on vacation, don't forget to secure your spot in some of the best Ottawa student housing the city has to offer. Book a tour of 1Eleven today!

Figuring Out What You Want from an Internship

Internships are synonymous with college students. And many students are constantly on the lookout for quality internships. Finding a quality internship means finding one that fits your interests, major and/or the job industry you plan to enter. It can be difficult to find the right one, especially when you’re inexperienced. However, there are some ways to narrow the search and ensure you find the best internship for your field of study. Below are a few of these ways.

Decide What You Want from Your Career

If you know what you want from your career, it’ll be easier for you to decide what you want from your internship. But this means figuring out what you do and don’t want from a future job and employer. Knowing what you want will help ensure you intern in a field and at an organization that you like. Besides, internships are trials that can be used to help you gain experience and the ability to make informed career choices.

This time should be used to help you define who you are and what you want. Remember that even the most tedious activities can test your abilities, improve your professionalism and help you build character. Although you might perform many trivial tasks, you will also have opportunities to learn many valuable skills and inside information about your future career.

Define Your Internship

An internship is not the same thing as a ‘job.’ Most college students use jobs to supplement their income, but they use internships to gain experience in their field of study, build skills in a professional environment and help them figure out their future career path. In fact, an internship can be the first step in a career. Internships provide useful information and professional experience, as well as help you learn marketable skills. For example, if you plan to work in the business sector, an internship can teach you about the best marketing practices, how to negotiate contracts, how to manage accounts and so much more. Everything you learn at this level will prepare you for working at higher levels. But it all begins with defining what you want your internship to be.

Choose a Feasible Schedule

An internship is like every other job, it requires a time commitment – a commitment that fits your schedule and lifestyle. This means scheduling your work days and committing to a part-time or full-time position. A full-time internship can be highly demanding, so most students opt for part-time positions. The partial time commitment offers flexibility and the ability to pair your internship with a summer job or courses. On the other hand, a full-time commitment can help prepare you for a real work schedule and expectations.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of Corporations vs. Small Companies

Most students dream of landing an internship at a major corporation. But small companies or startups can offer as much opportunity and experience as large organizations. It all depends on your experience, what you want from your future career and what you want and need to learn. If you’re inexperienced and looking for your first internship, a startup or small company is best for you. Because small companies have a small amount of staff members, you will likely receive more meaningful tasks and projects, leading to more experience.

Comparatively, large companies are generally interested in experienced interns with unique skill sets. Plus, if you intern at a major corporation, you will likely receive more trivial tasks and less experience in leadership roles. However, where you intern could depend on where you live. If you live in one of the best student rentals Ottawa has to offer, like 1Eleven, there's a good chance that there will be opportunities at many organizations.