Why students shouldn’t travel in Western Europe

There are a few important reasons why this might not be the best destination for students
A summer backpacking trip to Europe is something of a cliche, and that's only one reason why it's not ideal for a student's first major solo trip abroad.

We recently discussed the reasons why students should travel as their first option, but of course for every point there is a counter-point. The most obvious answer isn’t always the best answer, and there are plenty of compelling reasons to start somewhere else on your first solo journey as an adult. Here are some of those reasons so you can decide for yourself:

Been There, Done That
If you asked 10 people who’d just returned from a summer trip to Europe to describe their itinerary, chances are at least 8 of them would sound virtually identical. People stay in the same hostel in London England when they arrive and meet up again at the same hostel in Paris. They are surrounded by English-speaking travelers and tend to travel in groups, insulating themselves from the outside culture as much as possible. Trips like this can be a lot of fun, but when you look back afterward you’ll tend to remember the people you met from your hometown or that great party at the hostel instead of things about the places you actually visited.

Prices

Western Europe is extraordinarily expensive. Backpackers will find their budgets - and options - extremely limited. Unless you are the trust fund-type, you’ll probably actually have to constantly make sacrifices while traveling just in order to afford to eat a couple times each day. Many people set out on a big trip with a medium sized budget and are shocked when the little things like internet access and local transportation keep adding up to so much every day. Going on a vacation is supposed to be fun, but living on cheese sandwiches for dinner half the time gets old pretty quickly. You could head to Latin America and live very nicely on the same budget, or head to Central Asia and live like a king on those same funds.

Too Easy
Some travelers have complained that Europe is 'too easy' and too closely related to being in their home country. You have to try it for yourself at least once to see how you feel about it, but taken the road most traveled can be a disappointment for adventurous types. It can actually take a lot of effort just to break out of the English-speaking student backpacker bubble, even when you are in one of the lesser-known cities. If your main goal is to challenge yourself and expand your horizons, then Europe is the little league.

Read More

Why Students Should Travel in Western Europe

Important reasons why the best place to start the adventure is across the Atlantic

There are cheaper places to visit than Western Europe, but for most Americans and Canadians it's hard to find a better place for a major adventure. Here are some reasons why this is still such an excellent destination for younger folks.

Traveling through Europe is almost a rite of passage for young adults, at least those from families with the means. The most common trip is half or more of the summer immediately following graduation from college, but people taking it to a higher level might spend several months as part of their “gap year” before joining the workforce for good.

Western Europe has a lot going for it, and it tends to be almost everyone’s first choice for international travel, not counting spring break trips to Cancun and the like. Starting in London is the most popular, partly because it’s the cheapest to reach from North America, but it’s also great that it gives travelers the feel of a totally new environment without having to deal with a potential language barrier, as long as you can sort out the accents.

After London it’s usually a blitz through the major capitals of Europe, like Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague,
Vienna, Rome, and Madrid, but of course there is plenty to see in between and in smaller cities.

Here are some reasons why Western Europe is the ideal destination for the first major international trip for young adults:

Good Introduction to Travel

Travel through Western Europe is a great way for young adults to start to explore the world on their own. The variety of cultural diversity between countries allows them to experience differences, yet underlying similarities throughout the developed world does not introduce overwhelming culture shock. They are able to practice other languages when speaking to the front desk at hostels in Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona (among others) or when ordering food.

Accepted by Parents/Society

Europe is a commonly accepted by parents and society as an 'acceptable' place to travel for young adults. Students in Western countries have grown up learning European history - what's better than seeing the sights first hand? Some parents are also more willing to finance a trip that it to the civilized world - they prefer to ignore the drinking you'll be doing in your hostel in London.

Historical Nostalgia

Travel through Europe is, admittedly, tradition for many in the educated middle and upper class. Eurail has been around for a number of years now and many students like the idea of taking the same route their parents did in the 70s and comparing how things have changed.

Read More