hostelling international usa presents world travel 101 hostelling international usa – world travel...

Hostelling International USA – World Travel 101

Hostelling International USApresents

World Travel 101


Agenda

• Introductions• The Basics – Lodging, Getting Around, Money• Packing• Safety• Your Career as a Traveler• Your First Trip• Q&A• Slideshow


Our Mission

“To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people

through hostelling”


What does HI-USA do?

• Hostels• Programs• Activities & Outings• Volunteers


Types of Travel

• Local (evening and weekend)• Short-term travel (< 1 month) - on vacation• Long-term travel (> 1 month) - unemployed• Volunteer work• Study abroad• Gap Year• Work abroad (part time)• Work abroad as expat (career)• Teach English abroad


Planning for your Trip• Plan more for short trips, less for longer• Basic steps

– Pick a destination– Buy guidebook and review travel blogs– Prioritize your activities and work out a route (ex, raileurope.com)– Reserve your flights, train (ex, eurail.com), first night(s) stay, travel cards, and

activities or passes that require reservations or pre-payment– Get a visa and/or vaccinations if required– Pack– Go!

• Remember: Travel always takes longer than you think


Humorous Intermission #1

Chinese English

zhōng wén (中文 ) Chinese (language)

zhōng guó rén (中国人 ) Chinese (people)

zhōng guó caì (中國菜 ) Chinese (food)

My language teacher asked me in Chinese, “nǐ xī huān chi shénme?” (你喜欢吃什么 ), which means “What do you like to eat?”

Which of the following do you think I answered?


The Basics

• Lodging – hostels, hotels, couch surfing, airbnb, camping, overnight transport

• Getting around – borders, trains, buses, microbuses, shared taxis, motorcycles, ferries, pedicabs, walking

• Money – currency, negotiating, ATM’s, credit cards, small denominations, tipping, saving for trip, budgeting

• Other people – travel with, info, friends, locals• Misc – language, toilets & paper, mosquito repellant,

sunscreen


Hostels• Dorms vs private rooms• Breakfast• Sheets, towels, and blankets • Laundry facilities• Shared kitchen• Common areas• Internet access• Local information• Book trade, DVD check out• All ages welcome


Schengen States

The majority of Europe has agreed to police only the external borders. Your passport will only be checked when entering or exiting the Schengen zone.


Packing, Gear, & Technology

• Go > Gear– And….you need less than you think

• Why does everyone wear a backpack?• Inclusive vs exclusive technology• Don’t try to live your everyday life while on vacation

(don’t be afraid to unplug)• Long term trips require more clothes• Examples of tech – Whatsapp, Jambox, Evernote


Matt’s List (< 1 week)• Storage - day pack, optional bag if carrying stuff back• Clothes - underwear, socks, shirts x 1/day, 1 pair shorts, pants x 1, belt• Wear to airport - jeans, nice shirt, coat, shoes appropriate to area• Entertainment - magazines, book, travel guide, Jambox stereo, camera• Communication - cell phone, charger, external battery, earphones• Toiletries - toothbrush, bar of soap, razor, earplugs, clear bag (hair gel, toothpaste,

sunscreen, cologne), Tylenol• Misc – sarong, mosquito repellant, flip flops, headlamp• Entry – boarding pass, passport and Global Entry card (if international), visa if required• Work (for biz only) - laptop and charger, power splitter, privacy filter• Exercise (opt) - running shorts (doubles as swimsuit), shirt, socks, trail glove shoes• Other –specific trip (climbing, horse riding, diving, nice clothes, meds, etc)



The photo you are about to see is why I am comfortable telling everyone in this room they can travel safely in most places regardless of their size.


Me 50lbs lighter than current weight due to:– Traveling really cheap

(too few calories/day)– Lots of walking– Malnutrition– Me exercising better now


Safety• Common questions

– Drivers– Food & water– Getting lost– Theft & physical safety– Locals & local police– Vaccinations

• Special considerations– Women– Parents– Physical limitations

• Tip: Look like a victim, act like a victim, become a victim



1. Cultural Outreach - In which country did I (literally) pull a friend out of the gutter and carry him home? a) France, b) Singapore, c) Australia?2. Foreign Language - How many foreign or English dialect slang words do you know for “Americans”?3. Higher Learning - What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages?


Your career as a traveler an explorer

• Formalize your “how to go” plans• Use the right technologies• Global Entry (and SENTRI)• Know yourself and your values• Come to grips with the finiteness of life• Adventure as a mindset• Push your boundaries sometimes


Emotional Considerations

• Sadness happens, self-doubt happens• Do what you need to get right with yourself


Your First Trip• Europe - Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence - 10-14d); Paris & London (7-10d); ski in St.

Anton in Austria, Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, Chamonix in France, Cortina d'Impezzo in Italy, or Garmisch plus Munich (1 week)

• South America - Peru (1-4 weeks+); Brazil (1w - 2m+); Argentina & Uruguay (7-10d)• Central America - Costa Rica (1w); dive in Roatan, Honduras (1w); surf in Nicaragua

(1w)• Australia & New Zealand - New Zealand (2-6w); Kakadu, Ayers Rock, Cairns, and Sydney

in Australia (1-2w)• Asia - Thailand with diving in Ko Phi Phi (2w); Cambodia (1w); Beijing (1w)• North America - New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas (2 weeks); Yucatan,

Mexico (7-10d)• Africa - safari in Tanzania or Kenya (1w)• Middle East* - Egypt (1-2w); Turkey (1-2w); Israel (1-2w)


Key Points• What to bring: Go > Gear (minimal planning)• What to do: Be honest with yourself (but push your boundaries

sometimes)• How to be happy with your travels: Accept the finiteness of life (life =

trade offs) and have a good attitude• Safety: Look like a victim, act like a victim, become a victim. (And don't be

stupid.)• How to do it more: Develop a mindset of exploration (career as a traveler)• How to get the best information: Read backpacker blogs and talk to locals• HI – www.sandiegohostels.org, www.hiusa.org

http://www.sandiegohostels.org/

http://www.hiusa.org/


Final Words

“El Camino no tiene fin. El Camino es interior.”

The journey has no end. The journey is inside.

Please feel free to contact me with any questionsMatt Clapp – [email protected]

hostelling international usa presents world travel 101 hostelling international usa – world travel...

Documents

travel cards

vacation longterm travel

weekend shortterm travel

review travel blogs

types of travel local

time work

language teacher

gap year work