Tips & Tricks

BOOKING

To get the biggest bang for your buck, try approaching your travel plans with an open mind. Being flexible allows you to find options within your budget. Search far and wide and use multiple sites. The ones we’ve suggested below are only a handful of what’s available out there.

Finding Flights

Download the app “Hopper,” which is compatible with iOS and Android. t gives you updates on the best prices and predicts if ticket prices will increase or drop in the future. Hopper allows you to enter destinations and tracks the airfare letting you know if you should buy now or wait it out for a cheaper price.

Google Flights is pretty reliable too. You can see the prices by the day so you can see what dates are cheapest. You don’t even need to search a specific location. Use their map feature to see all the destination prices at once. Google Flights gives you great visibility and lets you find flights to places you might not have thought of going to.

Follow sites like The Flight Deal, AirfareWatchdog, and Scott’s Cheap Flights. They also tweet out flight deals every day so make sure you stay connected.

Download your airline’s app so you can get real time updates on your phone + digital boarding pass.

If you travel light, look into budget airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, Ryanair, WOW Air, etc. You may not be getting amenities like meals and blankets, but you’ll be saving tons of money on airfare. And hey, you’re traveling for the the destination, not for the flight amenities.

We also just came across this article detailing a practice called “hidden city ticketing.” It works like this: instead of buying a ticket for your final destination as New York City, try finding a flight that has a layover in New York City. Once you land in NYC, get off and enjoy your vacation. It’s not totally ethical, but definitely still legal and saves you money for sure.

Vacation Packages & Travel Deals

TravelZoo Great for international flights! Select your desired destination or you can even search for deals by continent if you’re flexible with where you want to go. The site tracks available packages and deals for your preferred destinations and emails them to you. TravelZoo partners with over 2000 companies to provide great savings for everyone.

Kayak You see commercials for Kayak all the time, but it really does work. The site searches across various travel sites for rental cars, hotels, and flights and finds you the best deals. It often has exclusive deals you won’t find on other sites. Kayak allows you to set price alerts and use their Price Forecast feature to see whether you should buy now or wait.

Prep and Explore

If you’re traveling international from the US or coming back to the States from an international flight, download Mobile Passport. It’s an app officially authorized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that lets you skip the regular line to enter the country. Easier to keep your phone in your hand than remembering to pull out your passport at every checkpoint. Mobile Passport is accepted at 20 airports in the U.S.

TSA Precheck is such a time saver!!! Once enrolled into the program, travelers can pass through security without needing to remove shoes, jackets, belts or liquids and electronics from their carry-ons. To enroll, just submit an online application and schedule an appointment at one of the enrollment centers. At your appointment, a background check will be done in addition to getting your fingerprints taken. Once you’re approved, add your KTN (TSA Precheck number) to all your future flight tickets and enjoy 5 years of stress free security.

Different sites give you different features and different prices. You never know what you can find, so go out and start searching!

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PACKING

Airport and Airline Pointers

Check with your airline about baggage and carry-on fees so you won’t be caught off guard. These fees may take into account weight, size, and types of items. Additionally, some airlines allow only one carry on item, while others may allow more.

Check the MyTSA app or the TSA website to see what you can and cannot bring as a carry on item. Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-ons, which stands for: 3 ounce (100 ml) containers or smaller, 1 quart-size clear plastic bag, and 1 bag per traveler.

On that note, what’s the difference between a carry-on and a personal bag? Well in general, a carry-on goes in the overhead bin in your flight cabin while a personal fits under the seat in front of you.

Checking In Your Luggage?

As described on TSA's website.

There’s a variety of luggage types that you can choose. From duffel bags to hard shell luggage to soft shell luggage, so choose a suitcase that meets your preferences and serves your needs. Choosing lightweight duffle bags mean you don’t have to worry as much about specific weight limits. Hard and soft shell suitcases weigh a little more and are more durable than duffle bags. Invest in sturdy suitcases for more protection if you’re traveling with more fragile items.

Pro-tip: add ribbons, bows, or some sort of marking on your checked in luggage. This will help differentiate your bag from others when you’re waiting at baggage claim. It will definitely make the process much smoother.

Carry On + Personal Bag

First off, never check in your essential, valuable items like money, passports, electronics or anything else you don’t want to lose. Instead, bring those items with you in your carry-on or personal bag.

Try and organize your carry-on luggage categorically so it’s easy to find important items while traveling. For example, bring folder that holds all your important travel information and documents including flight info/confirmation, train tickets, hotel bookings, etc. Designate an area or pocket for your identification items such as driver’s license, passport, social security, green card, visa, etc. Basically, if you know you’re going to need access to something during your flight, keep it in an easy to reach area so you’re not struggling and rummage through your bag.

Besides your travel documents and identification, think about the electronics you’re bringing on your trip. Remember to pack all the necessary cords, chargers, and plugs. Also, don’t forget to bring some snacks in case you get a little hungry during your flight.

Additional Packing Tips

Make sure your carry on
fits your airline's dimensions!

Many people will tell you to roll your clothes with packing. While that is definitely a space saver, I, Emily, like to fold my clothes on the flight going to the destination and then roll them on the way back home. This way, I allow more space to bring back souvenirs.

In an effort to not over- or under-pack, bring layers that can be multi-purposed so you’re ready for both warm and cold weather.

You’ll usually find a lot of dead (unused) space in your shoes. Put rolled socks or other small items into your shoes to save space

If you’re checking in any fragile items, make sure to pack them in the center of your suitcase so they’re protected during your trip. Not only pack them in the center but make sure they’re well-cushioned with surrounding clothes incase TSA handles your luggage roughly. You may also need to do this if you’re worried item(s) may be taken in the TSA regulation process.

For each bag you’re bringing, whether you’re checking it in or stowing it in the overhead bins, put a card or paper with your contact information inside of the bag and always use the provided airline identification tags to attach to your bag. In case your bag gets lost or misplaced (whether it’s by the airlines, or if another passenger accidentally mistakes your bag for theirs) you have a higher chance of getting your bag back quickly.

If you’re going abroad, look into purchasing a universal outlet converter and adapter. But what is the difference between an adapter and a converter? I didn’t know either, but I did some research and here’s a general overview:

An adapter changes the plug type so you can plug your item into the different outlet. Adapters are needed when traveling to a different country with different plugs and you have a dual voltage plug. If the item you’re plugging in is not dual voltage, you will need a converter rather than an adapter so you can convert the voltage to match the country you’re visiting.
A converter not only changes the plug type, but also converts the electricity and voltage of your item’s plug. This is helpful for plugging in items that are not dual voltage. If you’re unsure whether your item is dual voltage or not, research beforehand so you don’t run into any electrical issues, which can be dangerous and harmful to your belongings (which is how I, Marisol, blew up my dad’s US vacuum in Sweden).

Still looking for more packing assistance? Download the app PackPoint for some help making a checklist. The app looks at the weather forecast for the dates and location of your trip. It also allows you to select activities you may participate in during your trip (i.e. business meeting, swimming, fancy dinner) then offers a list of items you should pack based on these activities.

Whether you’re going on a one hour flight from SoCal to NorCal or a 12-hour flight to Sweden, we hope you’ve found some new tips for packing efficiently. If you have any other personal tricks that have helped you out while traveling, please comment and share it with us!

-- Emily and Marisol

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TRANSPORTATION

So you got to your getaway destination and now what? You researched all the places you wanted to visit already but you haven’t even left the front door of the hotel? You need to know how to get from point A to point B efficiently and this is what the article is about. Because when visiting a foreign place, you probably won’t have your car and driving a car may not even be the most efficient manner of transportation. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when trying to get around:

Google Maps

Google Maps is truly a lifesaver when traveling these days. Available on both iOS and Android systems, the app allows you to download specific areas for offline use, which saves you tons of data usage (especially helpful when you’re traveling internationally). The app offers multiple forms of transportations from point A to point B including route options. Google Maps is fairly reliable in offering up local public transportation options and just walking routes if you want to explore on foot. You also have the option to add multiple stops along the way. You can even check when places like museums or restaurants open and close as well as check to see how busy a place is in real time.

Public Transportation

It may be daunting to use busses, trains, or subways in a foreign place, but public transportation is pretty reliable (it is used frequently by locals) and can be fairly inexpensive. Usually a quick Google Search (thank you Google!) will give you adequate information regarding the surrounding public transportation in the area. Doing so does require your own cellular data so make sure you have sufficient data when you travel or have a SIM card if you’re traveling abroad! One of the scariest moments is being lost while in a foreign place.

If you decide to use public transportation, we recommend you plan ahead of time so you don’t waste too much out of the day trying to figure out how to get from one attraction to the next. These logistics usually include research on bus tickets, subway cards, etc. Always try to have spare change on you (coins, dollar bills) since most public transportation does not accept large bills. All in all, you can always get more information on local transit at a visitor center or even at the front desk of the hotel you’re staying at.

Uber

Active in about 84 countries and 737 cities, Uber is a very popular way to get around when traveling. After downloading the app, you can quickly review the various offer assortment of differing vehicle rates and fare quotes then request a car directly. This rideshare service is arguably simpler than trying to hail down a taxi (AND much cheaper!). Not only is the service convenient, but it’s also logically user-friendly by connecting you directly with your personal drier, allowing you to track the approaching car’s location, and securely pay your fare and tip using a credit card — no cash needed! (how convenient, right?)

Car Rentals

There are usually minimum age requirements for renting cars so make sure to do your research before making a reservation. There are many many many different companies to rent your car from, which include Turo, Enterprise, and Zipcar. You have an option to either pay gas at your own expense or pay a little more and have the car company take care of it for you. When renting a car, make sure you understand the kind of insurance coverage you’re getting too because you don’t want to get stuck in an accident and realize you have to pay everything out of pocket. Another aspect to consider when reserving your car is how much space you truly need (economy-sized or full on SUV). Overall, we recommend planning and booking your vehicle before arrival.

Other Alternative, Atypical Modes of Transportation

Water transportation -- gondola, water taxi
Live animals -- horseback, mule, camel, alpaca, llama
Wheeled vehicles -- bicycle, ATV, tour bus

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College enables students to a variety of experiences, including the opportunity to study abroad with your hundreds of countries to choose from. Ever since I entered college three years ago, I knew that I wanted to experience studying in another country, especially in Europe (which I’ve never been to!) Because I will be studying abroad through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), this post will focus primarily on preparing for this specific program.

Money
If you have even the smallest interest in studying abroad, I say go for it. It doesn't hurt to apply, and there's always a misconception that students “can’t afford” studying abroad. Coming from a first generation low-income student, I can guarantee you that money should not prevent you from studying abroad. Some colleges abroad may even be cheaper than the one you are currently attending!

Inevitably, there are travel and personal expenses, but there are TONS of scholarships in which you can apply for that your college provides. Many scholarships have similar questions and prompts so you can write a universal essay with little tweaks in each one. This is literally FREE money! Make sure to apply early and keep track of all your deadlines! An excel spreadsheet or Google Calendar would be extremely useful in this case.

If you're currently a student receiving financial aid, then the amount you get studying abroad is proportionally matched to what you would be getting at your original college. Thus, all the government money will be transferred and you will still be receiving aid (as long as you turn in your FAFSA application).

Even with all these available resources conveniently here for you, it is still smart to save up before your departure. I don’t have a certain amount that you should save up for since different people have different spending habits. Personally, I would not want to worry about money when I am abroad, so I save more than enough for me to be able to enjoy my experience without limitations and second thoughts.

Therefore, working in advance and creating a savings account can be extremely beneficial for you and your pleasurable expenditures!

Time

Planning can be a hassle, but is essential in studying abroad. To begin the process, pick a quarter/semester in which you are interested in attending. You would have to apply at least six months to one year in advance. For example, I will be studying abroad in the Fall of 2018. However, I applied for the program in the Fall of 2017. Therefore, extensive planning is required and pay attention to deadlines! A lot can happen in one year so make sure to keep up to date on responsibilities and notices in your email inbox. You don’t want to miss an opportunity of a lifetime.

Material

Because you are traveling outside of the country, you will need to obtain a passport without a doubt. If you don’t already own one, getting a passport can be a hassle. But it doesn’t have to be if you start early! Passports do take up to a month to three months because of its long process. Contact your local city hall and take a local passport photo to add onto your passport. If you already have one, make sure its not expired and is viable for the entire trip. In some countries, they will ask you to forfeit your passport three months in advance to your departure so if you plan on traveling outside the country before you departure, plan ahead by obtaining a second passport with city hall.

The application process also requires additional information including your most recent school transcripts where you can obtain through your school’s admission office. Some programs require academic approval from your counselor as well as supplemental questions for impacted programs. Have a checklist ready for any other required material to go along with your application!

Resources

Use the resources available for aspiring students just like you! Your college will probably have their very own study abroad center available. Because students usually start their research and process around a year in advance, it is best to check in with an advisor every now and then to make sure you are up to date on any required tasks on your application.

Online research is probably the most convenient and informative way to get more information on how to apply, what to study abroad, and what country is the best fit for you. There are tons of previous study abroad students that would love to talk about their experience! These people can be contacted either through your personal network of friends or through your school’s study abroad website. Contacting this people would be very helpful in determining what steps you may need to take as well as first hand advice from a previous student that has been in your shoes not too long ago.

You’re not alone! Traveling may be scary, but you are not alone in this process! There is so much help around you, from starting your application to flying back from your study abroad experience. I hope this short post on preparing for study abroad can help you understand the basics on what to do! I’m very excited myself as I will be departing from USA to Italy this upcoming August!

Ciao,

Jannell

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5 Ways to Stretch Your Dollar While Traveling

Saving money and budgeting are some of the biggest struggles of trying to travel. It requires smart planning and flexibility. We know you’re excited (if not reconsider your trip) about traveling and start planning all the places you’re gonna go and all the food you’re gonna eat, but take a breather. Instead of booking the first excursion you find or the first flight you come across on Google, do some prior research. Compare prices and take your time -- it will save you a lot of money.
We’ve come up with a few useful ways to help you save money when planning your trips:

The Generator hostel in Germany

Let’s start off with ways to saving on lodging. Overall, hotels can be cheap if you book them a few months in advance. Some affordable and decent hotels within the US include the Holiday Inn and Wyndham Gardens. However, we suggest exploring all your options rather than picking the first hotel or the cheapest hotel because there may be some hidden fees. Sometimes calling and booking directly through the hotel is cheaper than using third party sites like Orbitz, Priceline, and Expedia. With that being said, don’t rule out third party sites because they definitely come in handy for last minute bookings. So try using Orbitz to find room availability and if there are rooms available, call the hotel and book the room directly. We also suggest looking into Hotel Tonight. This website thrives on last minute deals. By partnering with hotels offering discounts on empty rooms, Hotel Tonight allows users to book rooms in under 10 seconds. They also have 24/7 customer service in case there’s any issues.
Aside from staying in hotels, AirBNB has been growing in popularity. AirBNB undercuts hotels by offering far cheaper prices. On AirBNB people rent out their spare rooms or even an entire house for travelers to stay at. By staying in someone else’s room or house that they are renting out, you can save tons of money while also living like a local. Hostels (like a dorm in real life) are also a great way to save money on lodging. y when visiting a big city and it’s a great way to meet fellow travelers. To locate the nearest hostel in the area you’re visiting, visit https://www.hostelworld.com/
After you’ve confirmed your lodging situation, it’s time to look into activities you can do on your trip! We suggest using TripAdvisor for some suggested activities. TripAdvisor is a hotel and restaurant review website with an interactive forum. It’s typically one of the first websites that appears on Google when you search “best things to do in ____” of “places to go in ____.” It operates internationally, but is definitely more well known in Europe, Asia and Australia. Through their interactive forum and rating system, you can easily see what other people have tried and read about what they recommend. You will constantly get updates of inexpensive things you can do and eat nearby.
Yelp is also a great way to find some of the best spots in the area you’re visiting. The platform operates internationally, but it’s most useful in North America. The website works very similarly to TripAdvisor. It uses your location to help you pick out some of the most popular restaurants around you. You can see real customer reviews and opinions about a potential place you may be interested in visiting. There’s a misconception that Yelp is only for food. We’re here to change that -- Yelp provides ratings and reviews for attractions and public places in addition to restaurants. Make sure you check the restaurant’s Yelp page before going because certain places add deals accessible only on their Yelp Page such as “check in for 1 free topping/drink” or “check in for 10% off your first order.” The site also offers hours of operation, a phone number to call, and sometimes even a menu, so you can be as prepared as possible before heading out.
When you’re traveling abroad, one of the first ideas you may have is to exchange money. There are plenty of places all over the world that tries to fool tourists, especially when it comes to currency exchange. Before exchanging currencies with anyone, make sure to check the rate in comparison to the official rate and makes sure there aren’t hidden fees. In general, you should never exchange money at an airport because they usually have very bad (high) rates. Be wary of how much cash you’re carrying around -- exchanging a lot of money in one visit could be risky.
Now we know there tends to be a very high international charge when using your card abroad. Yes, exchanging cash money is doable, but we’re in the digital age and most places take card nowadays. To combat those high international charges, we suggest getting a travel credit card. But only do this if you already have the cash to support it!! It's always good to have some cash but don't be afraid of using your travel credit card, it usually gives you the best exchange rate while also decreasing the chances of getting robbed. There’s a couple credit cards you can open specifically to save money while you’re abroad. Check with your bank and discuss your options. We do have a couple suggestions: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card gets you free global entry, lounge access, TSA pre-check & $300 yearly travel credit. American Express Delta Skymiles that doesn’t charge any international fee for using the card. The card also allows you to accumulate one mile for each $1 purchase so you can get miles for each trip traveled, which can be redeemed on more flights.

Note: Look into the customs of tipping in whatever country you’re traveling to. Some countries, like the US, not only encourage but even expect tipping. On the other hand, there are countries that include tip in the final check and don’t customarily expect customers to add a tip to the final check.