Traveling while completing full-time studies is really difficult. We are often lead to believe that it’s impossible. However, during my studies travelled to over 50-countries and 5-continents. This is how I made it happen:
Read more: 7 reasons why studying abroad will change your life
1. Properly Utilize University Holidays
“My uni holidays are short and it’s difficult to take leave from my job”
Yep. This was my reality. This is what I did.
Step 1: Realistically decide how long I could travel for, no matter how small.
- I checked how much annual leave I had accrued.
- I asked workmates about their experience with getting leave.
- Checked my academic calendar for your university holidays.
- Tried to maximize my leave using public holidays (even with 4-days you can make a domestic trip happen!)
Step 2: Decide on a destination you will be able to fully appreciate in the time you have allocated.
There’s nothing worse than leaving a holiday feeling like you missed out on a lot of important attractions. I always worked out how much time I could get off work and how many days of uni break I had before I even started thinking about where I wanted to go. If you have a specific country in mind, try and reduce the number of places you visit and rather, spend a longer time in one place to ensure you leave feeling like you properly experienced the destination.
Step 3: Ask for the time off well in advance
For example, in preparation for my 11-day break at the end of 2013, I requested leave a year in advance. For my 4-week break in 2012, I requested leave a year and a half in advance.
2. Overseas Study Exchange
Short breaks were not enough for me, I was desperate to travel for longer. A study exchange was my answer. This meant I could not only continue my degree but see more of the world in the process.
“If I’m gone for 6 months to a year I will lose my job?”*
By the time I left for my study exchange I had worked for my employer for 3-years. This meant I could apply for a ‘career break’ where I was guaranteed a position when I returned due to my loyalty to the company. I didn’t end up taking this up but it was really re-assuring when I made the decision to study overseas. Talking to your employer may be daunting, but they may be just as excited at the prospect of you embarking on such an amazing opportunity – and would love for you to bring all the skills and world experience you learn on your exchange back to their company.
If this fails, then try and stay optimistic about the prospects of getting a new job when you return. I think the risk is 100% worth it.
3. Defer for 6 months then make up the units in a Summer Semester
So you’ve gotten to the latter end of this guide and you’re still thinking none of these options are for me. Cue option 3: Deferring your course 6-months is something many people do throughout their time at university. You stay enrolled in your degree, 6-months go past in no time and if you make up the uni in a summer semester you are not behind the rest of your cohort.
4. Become an External Student
For the last 2-years of my law degree I was an external student at QUT. My university offers an amazing program for students who want to study, but don’t want to sacrifice real-world experience. I completed all my lectures and tutorials online, and was sent to remote testing facilities for examinations. Because of this I was able to live in London, NYC and Paris and travel to over 50+ countries before I even graduated.
Traveling while finishing your university studies may be difficult – but it’s totally possible. I am living proof of that 🙂
What are your experiences with university or travel? Feel free to comment below!