Whoever said the only way for university students to travel was to take time out of college got that wrong. But how can you explore new countries and combine travelling and studying at the same time? And why not just wait for school to finish?

Travelling is an education for students in and of itself. It gets them off-campus and out of their comfort zone. Travel, by its very nature, is a learning experience. It teaches budgeting, builds confidence, and helps young people adapt to globalization. Moreover, students develop cultural sensitivity and learn to build new networks. The list goes on.

Today, it’s possible to combine national or international travel with education. This article offers 5 tips and tricks on how to travel when you are in college.

5 Ways to Mix Travel with School

Travelling and education in college—or other learning institutions—is no longer a case of one or the other. That’s right; you can do both. You now have options, whether travelling with friends or alone for a few weeks, months, or even years. Thanks to the internet, you can write an essay, take an exam, or start new course subjects from afar.

Below are the 5 ways many students now synchronize their education with travel.

#1 Enroll in a Student Exchange Programme

Many college students get to travel via student cultural exchange programs and stay with host families. Studying abroad like this is a fantastic and safe way to broaden your international experience. Check which oversees universities your school is partners with, along with the courses on offer, entry requirements, and grades.

#2 Attend an Online Course

Because of the internet and reliable connections, online studying is no longer a fantasy. Communication via email, social media groups, and video hookups has opened a plethora of distant learning opportunities. That includes both undergraduate and graduate degrees, plus other educational certifications for various subjects.

Travel while You Learn with Online Studying

Online studying is ideal if you want to leave the campus to travel as you learn. The flexibility of an online course lets you create your own schedule and study in your time. That means you get to control when you write that essay or take an exam… within reason. And don’t worry, teachers and lecturers are only ever a message away.

Support Services for Travelling Students

Time management and educational organization are crucial if you’re actively travelling while learning. And sometimes, you may need a little online help to catch up. That’s why some travelling students pay for college essay writers. These legal services offer expert writing samples and research material to assist busy learners.

Professional writing services are ideal for those who need help to write an essay and submit it on time. When a qualified research author works on your student paper, it frees you up to concentrate on those more enjoyable pursuits.

#3 Consider a Research Grant

Financial stress can affect exam grades, and college fees are rising every year. Research grants let you study in a different state or abroad without paying for it. Competition can be tough, though, and tied into specific course subjects. Still, a university awards grants and scholarships to students all the time, so why not YOU?

#4 Stay Somewhere for Free

Leaving your campus to travel costs money, and few have the luxury of unlimited funds. But you have ways to cut accommodation costs drastically or totally. There are networks of local people that will offer you accommodation in return for a bit of light work. Some hosts even include food in with the deal.

Several websites connect overseas college students with host couples and families. Less financial stress from high education costs also helps to improve grades.

House-Sit for Free

Another option is house-sitting, where you don’t pay anything or share living space. The idea is that you act as live-in security for the owners while they’re away. Ask your teachers or career counsellor for more information if this sounds appealing.

Couch Surfing

You can find vetted websites and apps dedicated to couch surfing. It’s a simple idea that’s revolutionizing travel opportunities for hard-up and impoverished students. People from towns and cities all over the world offer whatever space they have for free.

But what’s in it for the hosts?

The hosts typically like to meet new people and learn about different cultures. They may want to practice languages or expose their kids to students from other countries. It’s like an Airbnb come social networking hospitality exchange for learners.

#5 Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More

Think about how you’ll combine travel with study, whichever route you decide. You don’t need to microanalyses every detail, though you do need to plan, start simple. Decide where you want to go, for how long, and how you expect to get there. Try not to major in the minor aspects of distance learning or online studying.

Plan Ahead but Not the Results

University teachers and counsellors are there to help. Also, join social media groups and forums. Talk to those who have been—or currently are—travelling and studying. Make a list of questions and save the responses. For example, do you need a hospitality green pass where you want to go, or how’s access to local transport, etc. You get the idea.

Planning makes the first steps much easier. But try not to plan the results before you get there. Instead, go with the flow and let the beautiful experiences evolve.