A few travel tips to keep in mind before you travel, when you arrive, and while you are on the road.
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Volunteer Abroad: Why You Should Consider Traveling With A Purpose
I think that everyone should volunteer at some point in his or her life in some capacity. Period. Giving back to others in need and supporting a meaningful cause is both life changing for you and for those that you are helping. More specifically, if you even have a chance to volunteer aboard, the benefits of getting to experience a culture outside of your own while forever change your perspective on yourself and the world.
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Why Giving Back When Traveling is Important
I originally answered these questions for LA Parent Magazine, and I enjoyed the interview so much I wanted to share it here.
LAP: Are vacationers responsible for “giving back” to the places they visit?
SC: We should all be responsible for giving back to those less fortunate as a part of our daily lives, but especially so when we are traveling. As a vacationer and foreigner, locals will show you incredible warmth and hospitality. Giving back while traveling is a great way to help others in need and say “thank you” for being welcomed to someone else’s home country.
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Twenty Amazing Books About Travel
Reading is the hobby that I love the most and I find it to be especially rewarding when I travel. Something about being on an adventure while also reading about someone else’s time aboard really makes the experience of being out in the world that much more special. Here are some of my favorite books that are both entertaining, inspiring, and heart wrenching.
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My Favorite Podcasts for Traveling
I take my podcasts very seriously - even the funny ones. I consider the genre, subject matter, the voice of the narrator or host, and the typical length of the podcast when deciding which are my favorites. I prefer a variety of options because I never know what I am going to be in the mood for. I have podcasts that I like for starting my day off right and others for ending my night on a high note, and ones that I only listen to while flying. There are so many good podcasts out there to choose from – here are just a few of my absolutely favorites that are all available for free download through ITunes:
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Only Bring What You Can Carry: A Packing Guide
So often, I only travel with what I can bring with me on my back. This is especially something that I prefer to do when I travel alone because it can mean that thinks that could sometimes take a long time can otherwise happen quickly, like going through customs.
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How To Save Money To Travel
I am cheap. I have been for a very long time, mostly because when I was in high school and college I had to have a job and make my own money to be able to fun stuff. I loved the lessons I learned out of necessity about saving and not spending, and it has helped me in my life now to get to do more than I ever imagined.
As a practice, I cut corners in any way that I can. Whether I am saving up to go on a trip, or trying to pay off an unexpected bill, I always have my income and a budget in mind. How much am I making and how much can I spend? How much should I save? It all depends on what kind of life experiences you want to have, and if those are like mine, to travel as much as possible, then there are easy ways to keep your costs down.
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What I Never Leave Home Without When Traveling: A Check List
It has taken me a while to get my personal checklist of what I need when traveling just right. After eight years of traveling for either work, to volunteer, or for adventure, I feel that I finally understand my travel-self well enough to know exactly what I need with me to make sure my trip is as good as it can be for me.
I recommend you making your own list for reference. Your list will, of course, look different from mine – you have your own individual needs and deciding what you absolutely must carry with you really depends on what kinds of experience you are anticipating having and what makes you the most comfortable when you are away from home in unfamiliar, and sometimes unaccommodating, environments. Here is what I have come up with and the reasons why I can’t leave home without these items:
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