Life in immigration

Last Updated: 3/25/2021 | March 25th, 2021 A new year brings a new sense of possibility as we create new goals to help us get closer to that ideal self we have in our mind. And one of those goals usually involves trying to travel more — especially after being in lockdown for a year because of COVID. But when you are starved for time and money, travel can seem like a pipe dream. A wish that might never be fulfilled. Luckily, there has been a wave of positive developments for those who want to travel more: cheaper airfare, more deal-finding websites (and other information) online, free walking tours in more cities, and more opportunities to bypass the traditional travel infrastructure and connect directly into the local way of life via the sharing economy. So, as we get deeper into 2021 and the world starts to ever so slowly reopen, I want to share some suggestions on how to travel on a budget this year so you can check off that New Year’s resolution! Here are some of my top tips to help...

Updated: 2/2/2020 | February 2nd, 2020 Saving money for travel is one of the biggest obstacles that keeps people from realizing their travel dreams. Yet, all too often, I see travelers throwing money away in avoidable bank fees. Banking overseas is more than just putting your card in an ATM and taking out money. There is a lot more to consider — especially if you want to become a savvy traveler! When you travel on a budget, banking overseas involves knowing three things: How to avoid paying bank fees. How to eliminate foreign transaction charges. How to get a good exchange rate. I know too many people who travel abroad and end up paying obscene ATM fees and credit card transaction fees. All because they didn’t do their research and plan ahead. In 2019, there’s absolutely no need for it. You didn’t save up all this money in order to give it the banks, right? I know I didn’t. I want to keep it all for myself because every avoided fee is more money for food, drinks,...

Last Updated: 2/2/2020 | February 2nd, 2020 Festivals. A place where people looking to have a great time can dance, listen to great music, celebrate, party, have fun, and relax. They happen all over the world for many different reasons. Some celebrate religion, some the new year, some art, some the harvest or the full moon — whatever the reason, every month, somewhere in the world, you’ll find people descending on a location to celebrate and share a common experience. Now, if you don’t like crowds then these events probably aren’t for you. But if you feel like getting wet, dirty, staying up late, dancing, or just want to enjoy the energy of tens of thousands of people, check out some of these festivals: 1. Up Helly Aa (January) The Shetland Islands in Scotland were once territories owned and inhabited by Scandinavian Vikings. Dating back to the 1880s, Up Helly Aa is a celebration of that heritage. It’s a huge procession and fire festival that takes place in Lerwick, Sc...

Updated: 1/19/19 | Originally Posted: 11/23/2009 When most people travel, they open their guidebook and visit the major tourist spots listed. In Paris, we go to the Louvre and the Eiffel tower. In Amsterdam, we see the Van Gogh museum. In New York, Times Square. In Sydney, the Opera House. In Peru, Machu Picchu. In Bangkok, the Grand Palace. You get the idea. Now, big destinations are big for a reason. They are fantastic. They are beautiful. They inspire us. Sure, they may be touristy and expensive, but they are worth the visit. Whenever I visit someplace new, I tend to walk around a lot. A real lot. I wander streets and alleys and turn myself all around because you never know what you will find just around the next corner. One recent walking adventure brought me little girls singing ABBA on the streets of Stockholm. (They were really good.) Aimless wandering is a wonderful way to see locals and their daily lives away from all those tourist destinations. It gives you a great sense of p...

Last Updated: 3/10/21 | March 10th, 2021 I used to hate renting apartments from websites like Airbnb. As a solo traveler, I preferred the social atmosphere of hostels. You got to meet people, they ran activities, hosted events, and were where you were “supposed to stay” as a backpacke. When I did want something other than a hostel, I used a hospitality network liked Couchsurfing or simply stayed with friends. But, after a decade of life as a nomad, there are times when I like my privacy (and sometimes I also need extra space for work). While I may not use apartment rentals all the time, I stay in them often. I’ve found that they provide good value (especially if you’re traveling with multiple people), privacy, space, and a great home-like environment. While Airbnb is not as good as it used to be (and while it does contribute to overtourism), there are still lots of great hosts on the platform who provide budget-friendly accommodation to travelers looking for an alterna...

Last Updated: 05/28/2020 | May 28th, 2020 As a budget backpacker, I’ve stayed in a lot of hostels all around the world. Some good, some bad, and many that were just plain terrible. While I’ve written about my favorite hostels in cities all around the world, today, I want to highlight my all-time favorites. Hostels that really made my travels memorable and helped me make the most of my time abroad. These hostels embody the traits I love: friendly staff, a warm atmosphere, competitive prices, comfy beds, clean facilities, and that special je ne se qu that makes a place memorable. With some 100 countries and ten years of backpacking under my belt, I’ve likely stayed in over a thousand hostels. Some were so bad that I’ve blocked them out of my memories. But out of those hundreds, I have some clear favorites, places I’ll never forget and will go out of my way to stay in. Here are the hostels that, in my opinion, are the best in the world.   1. Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo...

Updated: 12/8/2018 | December 8th, 2018 Cruises can be expensive affairs. First, ships reel you in with a “cheap” room and an onboard credit but then smack you around with high-priced drinks, non-included restaurants, and dollar-a-minute Internet.  A couple of years ago, I went on the Oasis of the Seas (one of the largest boats in the world) on a seven-day cruise around the Caribbean. The listed price of this cruise? $800 USD. That’s expensive for a week of cruising. You could go to Southeast Asia for a month on that kind of money. Luckily, there are, in fact, ways to take a cheap cruise for as little as $30 per day. It just takes a bit of skill, a lot of discipline, and a bit of sneakiness. How to Book a Cheap Cruise Booking a cheap cruise is actually quite easy and requires only one thing: flexibility. See, cruise pricing is similar to tour pricing. The closer you get to the departure date, the cheaper the cruise becomes. Why? Because cruise ships don’t want to depart with...

Last Updated: 02/08/20 | February 8th, 2020 Whether you’re wanting to kick-start a new career or to just work a short-term job until you have enough money to travel again, teaching English abroad is an option that allows you to do all those things. I taught English abroad for two years and it was one of the best experiences I had. It taught me a lot about myself and the world around me. But how do you teach overseas? Most would-be ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers obtain what’s known as a TEFL certificate before they begin their job hunt. But is that really necessary? This is a question I’m asked a lot (especially since I don’t have a TEFL yet I taught in two countries). Can you teach English abroad without having a TEFL certificate? In this post, we’ll examine whether it’s a requirement or not and I’ll give you tips on how to find a job without one. Table of Contents What is a TEFL Certificate? What are the Requirements for Teaching Abroad? Do You Need a TEFL Certificate to ...