8 Ways to Travel the World as a Poor Person
Since celebrating my 19th birthday in Switzerland, I have had the joy of experiencing roughly half of my life abroad. Be it sandboarding dunes in hidden oasis of Peru, climbing hundred meter cliffs in the beach paradises of Thailand or simply sharing conversation and local delicacies with the wonderful individuals along the way, youthful travel and the experience it has allowed me have been priceless. Many people ask me how I can afford to do these things- I ask how can you afford not to? No, I'm not a trust fund kid or a drug dealer. I'm not exceptionally hard working, nor do I have any secret. I have simply not allowed my life to be dictated by the total in my bank account. And here is how you can too.
- Be passionate. You have one life and it is the most precious gift you will ever be given. For all you know you don't get another chance. Don't squander it chasing other people's dreams.
- Use your skills. If you are reading this, you already have a skillset valuable enough to travel the entire world. English is a hot commodity; native speakers often make substantially more than local teachers abroad and often do not require a degree or certificate (though they will help).
- Research. Many countries offer work-holiday visas or other visas that will allow you to work abroad with absolutely no skillset. Almost all will offer some sort of student visa that will allow you to study and work. Why not combine your desire for travel with a higher wage while earning a new and valuable skillset? Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Norway, just to name a few, offer substantially higher wages than do many other industrialized countries.
- Have a goal. Travel is ultimately about learning and self growth. Focusing on areas you are already interested in can help accelerate this process and opens new and unique experiences that the world has to offer. Climbing, kayaking, metal smithing, pottery, cooking, sailing, skiing- you name it. You can find masters in anything you love, and for a fraction of the cost (and many times for free). You'll be avoiding tourist traps while seeing unadulterated culture. Not to mention keeping substantially more money in your pocket.
- Skip the hostel. Use a hosting site like warmshowers.org or couchsurfing.org. You'll save cash and have an open door to local culture and friendly faces.
- Be creative. You don't have to buy a plane, bus, or train ticket. Take a bicycle, crew on a boat, or walk. Your imagination is your only limitation here. It may sound a bit frightening at first, but the amount of hospitality and openness you will discover will renew your faith in humanity. Everything is possible, and more than likely, someone has already written on how they did it. See number 3.
- Sacrifice. If you don't believe in your capacity to make it abroad just yet, saving a little cash before you leave can give you that confidence. Remember, even making the US minimum wage, you earn far more than most of the rest of the world. Severely cut back on your expenses and work a bit harder. Share a room with a friend, cook at home, commute by bicycle or bus, buy used; you'll have a few thousand dollars before you realize it.
- Be bold. You are not a victim. I'm sure you could write me a list of why you can not travel the world. None of that matters. You decide your life. Right here, right now. Stop making excuses and start making plans.