The Secret Life of Garrett Stevens * (last name changed for privacy). by Kelly McClintock

While many of us fantasize about being a superhero, most of us cannot jump into a telephone booth and transform from an average Joe into a guy wearing tights and a cape. But we can dream…

Garrett Stevens*, on the other hand, might not have superpowers, but he does have an alter ego. By day he works as a financial analyst for a major corporate firm, but, by  night, he becomes a kind of Indiana  Jones or 007, planning his next world adventure.
At the ripe old age of 23, this travel-hungry number-cruncher has already zip-lined through the jungles of Costa Rica and Spalunked (cave-hiked), his way across Switzerland, eaten crepes in Paris and gone to the Bull-fights in Madrid. But what makes him a superhero? His stories. To listen to them, you might think they are ripped from the pages of a comic book: strange, outlandish, and larger-than-life.

“I don’t find the unexpected. It finds me,” he professes after detailing one such event in Santorini, Greece. “I was walking through the city and a stranger on an ATV drove up and invited me to a party. I decided to go, of course,” he said smiling. “It was like this crazy event on a black sand beach. There were huge bonfires, dogs running through the crowd, music blaring, and incredible people. I had an amazing time, but if I hadn’t been willing to check it out, I would have missed out.”
“Another unforgettable experience?” he offers, “visiting the baths in Budapest.” “They were full of towel-clad people being brushed with olive branches,” he laughed. I didn’t know they were still operational. I did not expect that.”

While Stevens* might not have expected it, those are the moments he counts on. “It is why I love to travel,” he says, “You never know what you are going to get and that is part of the fun. Suddenly you are thrown into a situation and you have to deal with it. Whether you conquer a fear or just experience something new, the memories are what matter. You just can’t find them sitting in your living room.”

Which is why he probably does not spend much time there. You are more likely to find him in changing in a telephone booth after work…but you didn’t hear it from us.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Book Review of “Wrong About Japan”
Review by Kelly McClintock

“Wrong About Japan” is not your typical travel expose. It is a comic book charged, pop-culture driven roller coaster orchestrated by a pre-pubescent New Yorker.

Although it might seem unconventional, this book is a great resource on everything on where to stay and what to do. And it gives tidbits like how to read a Japanese street address.

The book is an engaging mix of observations, history, anecdotes, and description in which the author comes to re-examine his own preconceived ideas about Japan.  Peter Carey exposes a startlingly modern view of Japan while pursuing his son’s love of anime and manga — Japanese comic books. Carey reveals a country where the past is becoming as forgotten as the museums that house it.

“I don’t want to see the real Japan,” the author’s twelve year-old son, Charlie, stipulated before agreeing to travel with him to the country. What the author came to realize is that his son keyed into an important cultural shift taking place. The “real” Japan is not locked up in the museums and teahouses of the past, but is part of a modern street culture that many Americans are unwilling to acknowledge—still desperately clinging to images of Samari and Geisha, ancient palaces and teahouses.

Sandwiched between entertaining stories and comic book facts are great advice on where to discover the not-so-real Japan for yourself. The book is also a great one for anime and comic book-lovers.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Finding Seasonal Work as a Cook

By Kate Mason

The great thing about the culinary industry is that people have to eat, leaving cooking jobs aplenty all over the world. The peak tourist season (which differs from country to country) offers more jobs to foreigners looking for temporary work, whether at a ski resort in Canada or a beach side bungalow in Thailand.

The food and hospitality industry shows continued growth every year, and with a worsening economy in the U.S. heading overseas may provide more work opportunities, especially for those starting out in the industry. If you want a unique and rewarding experience abroad take advantage of the vast amount of information online and be willing to explore a number of different countries and work venues.

Often times you are expected to have some experience as a cook, the more knowledgeable you are, the better. In many instances though working as a cook abroad offers a great opportunity to learn a broad range of cuisine without prior experience.
If you are already on the road, it’s a good idea to have your own business cards on you at all times. The hospitality industry is everywhere, so drop off your card at all the restaurants, hotels, lodges and resorts that may need some extra hands in the kitchen.
Below are several websites to get you started on your culinary adventure abroad. For a personal experience about cooking overseas, check out this article by former Student Traveler Matt Goulding about cooking on a fishing boat in Chile.
CulinaryCult.com
Culinarycult.com claims to be the “portal to the hospitality world.” This site definitely has some great leads and information on hospitality fairs, associations, schools and resources for the job search. Its job listings are extensive, with most in the U.S. and the U.K., with a few listings for places like Greece, Latvia and the Caribbean.
JobsAbroad.com
JobsAbroad.com (one of my personal favorites) offers an extensive list of cooking jobs around the world from local pubs in Ireland to restaurants in Belize. Some postings are offered through larger job placement agencies such as BUNAC or Cultural Embrace. While these often require a fee, JobsAbroad.com will tell you if the agency has been verified or will share reviews from people who have used the program. This site also includes several job postings directly from a company or smaller business in need of employees. These leads can be a cheaper and faster way to find a job leaving no agency in between you and your cooking job.
JobMonkey.com
Want to be the cook on a dude ranch, cruise ship or kids adventure camp? If yes, then check out JobMonkey.com where you can find all sorts of jobs all over the world. There may not be a “cooking” category, but dig deeper to find awesome cooking jobs in a variety of places you never may have expected.
SeasonalJobs365.com
Seasonal Jobs 365 helps those seeking an international travel, work or volunteer experience in the peak summer or winter season. Other helpful sites on their web page include oneworld365.org, gapyearworldwide.com, gapyear365.com, tefl365.com, summercamp365.com, summercampjobs365.com, summercampworldwide.com.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Work Overseas in a Youth Hostel
by Jake Williamson

Anyone who has wandered into a hostel knows it is difficult to distinguish between hostel workers and hostel guests. Most of the time, appearance alone seems to dictate that the only thing different from you and them is they are sitting behind a desk. One reason for the similarity is that hostel workers are often travelers themselves wanting to stay a few extra days in a select location or working at a place where they get to share their travels and experiences with others in the backpacking community. Amongst other things, hostel workers clean bathrooms, man the front desk or help maintain rooms. Such tasks may not be attractive to the passing traveler but a bed or easy cash usually is. Offering up your service for a few hours in any of these areas generally results in a free night’s stay or easy “under the table” spending money. Stick with it for a couple days and maybe they will let you work in a more desirable position.

So, how do you get a job at a hostel.

Most of the time, hostels hire on the spot. So timing is important. If you are the handyman type, one great way to get work is to offer to make any needed repairs during your stay. After all, what hostel doesn’t need repairs? This is a great way to work on your own terms and avoid cleaning a bathroom used by twenty.
As it is in comedy, timing is everything when it comes getting a hostel job. Hopefully your arrival at a certain place coincides with someone moving on or you happen to walk in when someone calls in sick. Regardless, if you want to work in a hostel it is best to simply meet and greet. Make your presence known and tell the owner you are willing to work for a few days or ask if there is anything you can do for a discount on a two week stay.

For those not inclined to picking up a job on the whim, other options include calling ahead to the hostels you plan on staying at to see if a deal can be worked out for the duration of your stay, or looking for job openings ahead of time and only staying where help is needed. Regardless of how one comes by it, a hostel job is not exactly a resume highlight but it is great way to help fund your travels without doing too much work and an excellent chance to form relationships with travelers like yourself, even if it is formed while cleaning a left-behind, blown-out burrito in the microwave.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

How to Work Overseas in Water Sports

by Lorraine Chow

There aren’t many jobs where you can come into work wearing shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops. Likewise, there aren’t many jobs where your office can be under the sea, or even on top of it. Most of your interactions are not with co-workers and demanding bosses, but with undersea creatures and breaking waves. This is the life of a scuba instructor and surfing instructor. It’s a job that takes passion, a devotion to the ocean, and a willingness to share that experience with others.

Simon Parry is one such man who wants to share his exciting life in the open waters with you. The 28 year old is a scuba instructor at the Matava Resort in Kadavu, Fiji. After earlier stints in hospitality, sales, and banking, the Birmingham, UK native decided that “warmer shores beckoned” and headed off to Australia to learn how to dive. He’s never looked back to dry land since. Since his certification, Parry has worked on dive boats in the Great Barrier Reef, and has taught diving in the Cook Islands and Stoney Cove. After stumbling across the Matava Resort during his travels, he decided he quite liked the Fiji Islands and decided to stay. He is now the main instructor at Matava, teaching courses and guiding dives.

Parry contributes to the blog “Diving in Fiji” (divingfiji.blogspot.com). The blog was created in 2006 by Parry and three other scuba enthusiasts, who have logged in hundreds of entries on exotic dive locations, ocean ecology, the best dive equipment, and of course, diving adventures. Parry recounts his dive group’s encounter with three enormous manta rays in Fiji’s Manta Reef:

“We dropped in on Manta Reef hoping for a good day. But it was more than good, it was special. We saw the first manta after about 5 minutes, I just caught a glimpse of the wing tip as it cruised along the top of the reef. As we made our way along the reef, another manta came past us just under 4 m, but white underneath with ‘go faster’ stripes on top. They disappeared, then minutes later they both came back into view with another smaller black one behind. Three mantas flying in formation! That’s what I’m talking about!”

If staying above the water is more important, and you are pretty good on the waves, consider being a surf instructor. Cheyne Horan’s surfing school in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia is always looking for surf instructors. Cheyne is a former professional surfer who has run this surfing school for years. And while his take place on the public beach, most resorts around the world need instructors.  Of course, most surfers would like a job teaching surfing, so consider getting accreditation from the Academy of Surfing Instructors.

So if you ever find yourself dreaming of being behind the counter at a local dive shop, getting paid to surf all day. Or like Parry, leading a group full of eager first-timers on an exciting ocean excursion, you may want to consider a job overseas in water sports. Because wherever there’s water, there’s a place for you.

What’s best about diving is that you’re not limited to recreational teaching—there are hundreds of careers in diving! It ranges from the dangerous (diving in nuclear reactors and shark-infested waters), to the unexpected (navigating through murky waters to search for lost golf balls or through underwater wrecks). Acquiring the proper education and certification is all you need to start a career in diving.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Save a Buck, Surf a Couch

by Kate Mason

It’s true! The new way to travel is exciting, universal AND free of charge! The recent couch surfing phenomenon has won over many a wary traveler. The worldwide non-profit organization, The Couchsurfing Project, hosts online profiles as a travel networking site for those interested in more than just “a place to stay.”

The site, www.couchsurfing.com, provides extensive information on how to sign up, security questions, reviews and general help.

Many of you may have heard couch surfing is the “ultimate experience” and the “best way to see a country.” This may be true for some, but not for others. As someone who has couch surfed in seven different countries around the world, and offered up my own couch to visitors from Ghana and the U.S., I encourage you to consider taking a chance on an exciting new way to see the world.

Couch surfing not only offers a couch, but often a very knowledgeable travel guide(s), insiders tips to the locale you are visiting, and even a home cooked meal depending on your host!

So next time you travel, think of all those little green bills that want to stay in your pocket and do the right thing: save a buck, surf a couch.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

StudentUniverse.com launched a cool, new feature for searching airfare that checks airfare plus or minus three days. The function makes it really easy to see if flights are cheaper on another day than when you plan to leave and/or return.

Lufthansa Airlines  started it’s own social networking site for student travelers called GenFlyLounge. The microsite is an extension to GenerationFly which gives student-only fares wherever the airline flies.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Review of Lonely Planets’ “The Gap Year Book”
Reviewed by Brett Quimby

“We were literally living in a hut in the middle of the jungle, playing with baby jaguars and ocelots who were too tame to be released, with parrots on our shoulders and monkeys sleeping around our necks.  I do not exaggerate, it was unbelievable.” Thus went the experience of Amanda Akass in Bolivia, who underwent that most British of traditions, the “gap year.”  A gap year is a year off from school and work, usually between high school and university, when you decide, as the book writes, “to chase a dream, do something outrageous, extraordinary or fulfilling, and to explore the world.”  Though not as common in the US, a gap year could be a wonderful way to experience the world and have some great ‘ice-breaker’ stories your first day at college (or your new job, should you go after university).  The Gap Year Book provides a great introduction to the whys and more importantly the hows of a gap year.  It’s broken up into three main sections: a nuts-and-bolts guide to all the considerations you must undertake before going on a gap year, a section that covers all the places you could go, separated by continent, and a resource-laden section that discusses different ways of volunteering or working while away from school.

The first section of the book has some great tips about taking a gap year, but it’s most emphatic advice is this: plan.  Though you could go abroad with no specifics nailed down, the book makes a good case for all the benefits of planning: you can add to your resume after returning, you can see more places because of structure, and most importantly you can afford it.  Cost is a big part of this section, and the book lays out some sobering realities of taking time to travel.  For example, a day spent on the road is typically twice as expensive as a day stationary in a foreign town.  The book also discusses some great questions you should ask yourself before going abroad: should I travel alone or with someone? Do I need visas to get to my country?  What kind of bag do I bring to Africa? (hint: wheelie bags are strongly not recommended)  There is also a checklist of items to bring and medical clearances to get, as well as general travel tips, such as how to avoid being robbed on the road and how to talk about your experience when you get back home.

The second part of the book covers each section of the world, discussing why you should visit a certain continent, how much it might cost to go, and the different ways of getting around.  Each mini-chapter has a good list of popular travel routes for each continent, so you can picture yourself aboard the Trans-Siberian railroad or eating grapes on a whitewashed Greek balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.  While this section gives a good run-down of what to expect in each area of the world, it doesn’t give too many specifics – that’s left for the rest of the Lonely Planet library.  The third section is very useful, since it’s full of resources about different organizations you could contact to get traveling.  It details the pros and cons of a variety of ways of traveling, including volunteering, teaching, seasonal jobs, au pair work, and interning at NGOs.  The biggest downside of the book is that many of these resources are only available for British or EU residents.  Even with this caveat, this section is a good resource for non-EU residents in that will give you a lot of new ideas, which you could research on your own.

All in all, The Gap Year Book is a good general overview of how to plan for and undertake a year (or more) abroad.  So if you want to try something different, or just want to see what else is out there, give this book a look.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Itinerant Wanderings of Geoff Huston

by Kate Mason

Geoff Huston is no stranger to the spontaneous and sometimes treacherous life of the vagabond. Born in Georgetown, Washington D.C., Geoff moved with his family to Los Angeles before settling down in Orange County, California. After studying law at Berkley College, Geoff (pronounced Joff) found himself working for a law firm with little interest in the field. After leaving law behind, he helped a friend open a small cafe and catering business only to find himself drawn to the road. Choosing to go solo, Geoff drove through a large part of the U.S. And western Canada for 3 ½ months.

When the time was right (and the money ran out) Geoff returned to Southern California where he dabbled in commercial real estate. He had spent the majority of his life in Orange County, a place with a lot of wealth, serene beaches, and high class commercialism. In an effort to see the world beyond the familiar lifestyle and cookie-cutter towns of Orange County, Geoff decided to take a trip around the world.

After spending nearly a year saving up money, and a rather strange incident with a stolen car, Geoff set off to Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe. Without knowing anyone, Geoff made friends throughout his travels. He helped extend his trip by working as a bartender, dishwasher, construction worker and offering assistance at the hostels he visited.

His travels led him to more urban settings of several countries in the Nordic regions of Europe. Though each country had its own charm, the bustling cold cities of Europe proved too familiar and monotonous. As the year came to an end Geoff returned to Orange County with what he had intended to find; a sense of what is beyond the comfortable and familiar, and the knowledge that life beyond the United States is palpable, vibrant and easily accessible if you decide it is.

When asked what made his trip so memorable and life-altering, Geoff noted that “a big part of traveling is dependent on going out of ones comfort zone. It might mean going without your friends, or going somewhere you don’t know much about, but it is the best way to test yourself and have an experience that can change your perspective of the world.”

Interview with Geoff Huston

What made you want to go travel?

Curiosity. I wanted to know what other people of different cultures were up to.  It was sort of a reaction against the influences of Orange County, which is largely a consumer based culture. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t  indoctrinated, it was a way to compare who I was before and after the trip.

How long did you travel, and which countries did you visit?

I traveled for one year visiting Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

How did you manage your time from country to country?

I had purchased a package trip which allowed me to pick a few airports in different parts of each country. I could change dates by calling an agent in the U.S., it was all very flexible.

How did you save up for the trip, or did you work odd jobs on the road?

I saved for a long time, not spending much money for about a year. Strangely my car was stolen by a 15-year-old girl right before I left for my trip. After her joyride she gave it to a friend who totaled it, leaving me with thousands in insurance money. So that definitely helped fuel the longevity of my trip. My favorite job was construction work which turned out to be the most brutal but rewarding work I’ve ever done. It was the best way to meet “true-blue” Australians instead of just bumping into some on a organized tour of the local sights.

Where was your favorite place you visited and why?

A tiny corner of Cambodia on the ocean because it was a beautiful undeveloped region of the world. The whole country itself was mostly undeveloped, the rules of what you could build on the beach were non-existent. You could just build a home or a shop and start selling whatever you wanted. Everyone looked out for each other and there were no police anywhere. One of my most memorable experiences was hiking through the jungles of Cambodia with a group of friends. With no water left we became lost and had to boil foul river water. When we finally managed to find an end to the three day trek, a man on a moped selling ice cream pulled up out of no where. This ice-cream peddling Cambodian proved to be a blessing, but we still don’t know why there was an ice-cream peddler in the Cambodian jungle.

Any other crazy adventures?

Cambodian jungle adventures and late night karaoke were just a fraction of my trip. I managed white water rafting with the Kiwis in New Zealand, kayaking in Laos, and riding a motorcycle into the desertous Australian outback that ended in a fight for my life. The closest I have ever come to death was a motorcycle ride through the desert in 120, 130+ temperatures. I had no way to contact people after I got lost in a national park. I only had a liter and a half of water left and realized if I kept going I would very likely be riding off into the infinite expanse of desert. I decided to find the highest point in the park to see if I could see anything or anyone. It turned out that I could see one tiny person in the distance. I managed to scream as loud as I could to get their attention, and thankfully they heard me. All I did after that was try to get to that person as fast as I could. That experience changed my life, and it makes me feel very lucky.

What is the best advice you could give to someone looking to travel for several months or longer?

Don’t try to plan it out too much. Take whatever path offers itself to you at the time– if you let your travel change at any moment, its more exciting. Dwelling too much on a trip you plan day-to-day can be very stressful because things come up, and it almost never goes exactly the way you expected. You’ve got to follow your wanderlust.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

I have a theory that there are really three types of travelers: All-inclusives, culturists and escapists. Their titles are pretty obvious (what, you don’t like titles and you are a Gen-something?) but they share very different reasons to travel overseas. Here is a generalized view of how they are different.

All inclusives go all-in for resorts. They arrive at the airport, get on the resort shuttle, and once inside the guarded entrance never leave for seven to fourteen days. People who take cruise ships also fall under this category, but you do get points for taking in the culture if you get off the boat in port.

Culturists are all about taking in the sights, and are most likely to have their travel guidebook littered with earmarks on what to see. If you travel with these types, you know you are constantly telling them “we can’t see everything” and they are trying to prove you wrong. I mean, how many churches should you visit in one day?

Of course, I think most people like to travel both ways.  I mean, who doesn’t want to be pampered once in a while, which resorts are extremely good at doing. But who wants hotel staff in starchy clothes kissing your ass all the time either? Some of us want to explore beyond the guarded gates, take in the history, culture, and local people and other travelers wherever they are.

Escapists are those that are, well, escaping. Now, we aren’t talking the types you see on a cross-country Greyhound Bus. That’s an entire different type of escape (even from prison). I am talking about those of us experiencing bumps in the road: breakups, lost jobs, graduation. You know, the things that catch you off guard and then you are stuck in a rut.

Some people get on and find another job at all costs. Some go straight to speed dating. Some go back to school for another graduate degree. And some pack a bag and go “anywhere but here”.

My guess is with this economy acting the way we see it now, there may be a lot more people hitting the road in the months to come. After the dot com bust, you could find techies conglomerating in pockets from Argentina to Tanzania. After today’s riveting, financial news I imagine things won’t get better. More layoffs will happen for sure.

But maybe in this case “escaping” is not dirty word. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada historically have low unemployment and are itching for people to work there. South Korea, China and Taiwan are desperate for English teachers. And developing countries will be that more thankful to those that come and volunteer.

Maybe you should take some time to travel the world, work overseas, and experience a new culture. Hopefully, all this will blow over, but you will come back seeing yourself in a whole new light.

Stay on the move,

Eric

Uncategorized | No Comments »