SWAP

In my opinion, one of the best ways to travel young is through a program titled SWAP (Student Working Abroad Program) which allows you to travel to certain destinations all over the world and gain worldly experience through working. This is exactly what I plan on doing next January, traveling to France for approximately one year and working. I chose France mainly because I would love to learn the French language. SWAP provides you with all the facts and necessities you need to make this happen. The program will not allow you to travel to another country without first having a specific amount in the bank because the last thing they want to happen to you is for you to move to a foran country and end up on the streets without work, money, and a roof over your head. They realize most people who do this do it mainly because they are young and want to experience a new kind of life in another part of the world but cannot afford to do so without money. That is why SWAP is made available, they provide you with this opportunity to do both at the same time.
Once you decide SWAP is the program for you, they insist that you contact them at a minimum of two weeks prior to your departure and upon your arrival, they meet with you. The first couple nights you are in your chosen country you will be staying in Hostels until they find you an apartment or place to live that suits your needs and financial funds. At the same time, they are also helping you search for a job that suits you just as much. They realize that for most, this is a chance to have some fun being young so some of the jobs they suggest is bar tending or waitressing.
I have always had a strong passion for travelling. I am young and want to get the full experience and after doing my research, asking around, and talking with people who have previously traveled through SWAP, I a convinced that it is if not the best, one of the best programs available today.

Best Way To Go

So for those of you who are somewhat new to travelling and are unsure of where to start or what sites to trust, TopTenREVIEWS.com has new, up to date posts, about the top ten travelling sites of 2011.

          #1. Smarter Travel
          #2. Expedia
          #3. Orbitz
          #4. Travelocity
          #5. Kayak
          #6. AirGorilla
          #7. OneTravel
          #8. CheapAir
          #9. Priceline
          #10. Hotwire

The True Definition

"Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of food, your closet full of clothes - with all this taken away, you are forced into direct experience. Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That's not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating."

Clearly the person who wrote this is a true traveller. To me, being a real traveller doesn't mean you fly to Paris first class, get the fanciest hotel around and climb the Eiffel Tower or get a tour of the Louvre. It means coming to an intersection, closing your eyes, pointing in any direction, and taking that route. Its about taking chances. Grabbing a few of your closest friends and back packing the Grand Canyon. When you're tired, you rest. You find something different you'd like to try, so what do you do? Check it out. This quote to me describes the true qualities of a world traveller. Just to see something no one else may ever get the chance to see, doesn't make you a true traveller. It's about the experiences you have and the stories you come back with to tell the world. It's about opening up to the world. Giving it your all and being accepting of all it has to offer. It's frightening sometimes, lonely at others, but be strong. It forces you to grow into a person you would have never seen otherwise.