Tag Archive for: travel

How to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

When traveling to visit friends and relatives during the holiday break, or moving between semesters, many travelers are exposed to other people’s germs, especially in busy areas such as:

  • airports
  • train stations 
  • bus terminals 
  • taxis 
  • …basically any public transit!

So what does that mean for you? When exposed to a widespread of germs, or bacteria, your chances of getting sick are at an all-time high, (and we all know that getting sick is literally the W-O-R-S-T). Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help lower your chances of getting sick while traveling back home for the holidays.

Look, But Don’t Touch

Remember that hard surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic will retain viruses for 48 hours after contact. Airport gate counters, fast food tables, toilet handles, armrests on chairs, kiosk screens, handrails and especially the trays used in TSA security are all hot spots for bacteria, or germs to build up, contracting many illnesses. 

Some tips to prevent catching an illness would be to:

  1. Book an early morning flight, because planes are cleaned more thoroughly. 
  2. Bring your own pillow + blanket, (and make sure to wash them once you’re home)! Check out this neck pillow that’s affordable & machine washable!
  3. Try to avoid touching those hot spots mentioned above.
  4. If you do touch them, wash your hands frequently. 
  5. Always carry a travel safe hand sanitizer (<3.4 oz) or antibacterial wipes. 
  6. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, or
  7. Wear a mouth mask to protect you from inhaling any bacteria, as inhaling is the main way your body is exposed to germs.
  8. Keep your immune system up while traveling by drinking plenty of H20 + taking your vitamins.

Winter breaks are a perfect time to spend with your loved ones and eat yummy home-cooked meals. If you’re planning to bring back any food from your trip home, read our last blog post on which food items are TSA approved!

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5 Apps You Need When Studying Abroad

Traveling has never been easier than it is now. Gone are the days of MapQuest and struggling in with the travel apps. When they said “There’s an app for everything,” they weren’t kidding. This generation of travelers want the hottest deals and the lowest prices when roaming the globe – especially if they’re taking a semester abroad. If you’re planning on taking an international trip in the near future, we’ll break down five must-have travel apps to download before your new adventure begins!

1. Hopper


If you’re a millennial, you’ll most likely be traveling by air. We all know that plane tickets aren’t always cheap, and that’s why Hopper is a great help in airfare price-watching. With the slogan “Predict. Watch. Buy. Fly.”, Hopper makes booking flights that easy. If you know when you will be going, you can just punch in the dates, and let the app do the rest.

2. Maps.Me

Because you might not always be able to connect to WiFi when you’re abroad, this app is a serious life saver. With Maps. Me you’re able to look at maps of the country you’re in without an internet connection. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving, Maps.Me will help get you there fast, and for free.

3. Hostelworld

When it comes to studying abroad, you’re probably not going to stay in the same place for long. On the days you’re not working on academics, you might explore other nearby places. Whether that’s hopping on a boat or train to another country, or just visiting a different city, you’ll need a place to sleep. Hostelworld let’s you find and book different hostels worldwide. Rated with nearly 5 stars, it’s secure, convenient, and perfect at fulfilling that feeling of wanderlust. It’s no wonder Huffington Post’s round up featured Hostelworld as one of the best travel apps.

4. Foursquare

Online reviews are a beautiful thing. Picking a place to eat, drink and be merry is so easy with apps like Foursquare. You can read reviews on restaurants, coffee shops, and night-life in the area so you don’t have to go in blind. Foursquare makes it easy for you and your friends to discover hidden gems globally, which is perfect for those who are traveling abroad to unfamiliar destinations.

5. WhatsApp

Data charges are ridiculous when you’re studying abroad in a different country. WhatsApp is a necessity when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family back home in the United States. Here’s the breakdown: both you and your loved one will need to download the app. It can work as a text messenger, or you can make a call, as long as you both have an internet connection. That’s basically it, it’s simple, secure and reliable. Say goodbye to outrageous data charges and homesickness. Thanks WhatsApp!

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Oh, The Places You Can Go!

If you had the opportunity to travel internationally, meet new people, try new things and study your degree in a whole new perspective. Would you do it?

Traveling abroad can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences in your college career. It gives you that chance to gain knowledge from another country including their customs and culture, and experience it for yourself.

With the help of your University, the possibilities are endless! The only question you would need to ask yourself would be, “Where do I want to go”?

Here are the top 5 most popular places to travel abroad, according to BuzzFeed Life:

1. Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia

2. Keio University in Tokyo, Japan

3. Univerity of Granada in Spain

4. Fudan University in Shanghai, China

5. American College in Dublin, Ireland

Many of these International Colleges were rated the highest on The Abroad 101 list and also offer many of the courses that will qualify to transfer back over to your University. Not to mention, they are also located in some of the world’s most beautiful countries, with tons of things to do! You can not only study, but possibly learn a new language (which always looks good on a resume). And you’ll have life-changing experiences, which we are sure you wouldn’t regret! Get together with your advisor and see what options you have!

 

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