Travelling For Uni? Heres How to Make Friends

If you are someone that is looking to pursue further education, it is likely that you have looked into universities far from home. Though education is your main priority, a big part of the university experience is heading out to a brand new location and completely reinventing yourself.

When people choose the university that they are going to attend, they usually pick a university as far away as possible. This is because they want to experience something that is completely different from the life that they know.

I know that when I picked my university of choice, I wanted to pick somewhere that would allow me to experience a world that was completely different from the world that I knew. If you are someone that was brought up in the city, then you may decide to head to the countryside for some more relaxed living at university. If you were born in the country, then it is likely that you want a taste of what the city is like and so you may decide to head somewhere a bit busier.

Unless you are incredibly lucky, it is likely that you will be traveling to a university alone. Though this may be an exciting prospect, nobody likes going somewhere new without having any friends.

This is especially the case if you are heading somewhere completely new, as you may be intimidated by your surroundings and so having a companion with you to explore these surroundings may make you feel much more secure.

Though you may arrive alone, the university is actually a really great place to make friends and build connections that will last a lifetime. It is said that the friendships that you make in university are the friendships that you will keep for a lifetime and so you may be eager to find these friends.

If you are someone that isn’t very outgoing and you consider yourself to be quite shy, the idea of trying to make friends with new people may seem intimidating. It is likely that you have had your current friend group for some time and you don’t even remember making friends with them, so the idea of having to start again could be overwhelming. Here is how to make friends in uni.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Your Coursemates

When you head to university, you will have a whole new group of coursemates to get used to. University is not the same as the usual school, as it is not as small and you can have hundreds of people in one class.

With so many people in one class, it can be intimidating and you may feel as though you have to keep to yourself. This is the last thing that you should do, as it is important to make friends with people on your course. By making friends on your course, you will have someone that you can confide in when you are stuck in your studies and you will have someone that can offer you the support that you need.

Join Societies

Something that you have probably heard a million times is that it is very important for you to join societies when you head to uni. Not only will it make your CV look good, but it will also give you the perfect opportunity to get to know brand new people.

When you are in a society, you feel as though you are part of a community and you can meet people that share your same kind personality and interests.

Get Involved in Events

In University, you will be invited to a long list of events. It can be tempting to ignore these events and choose to focus on your studies instead. Though your studies are important, you should still try and take part in these events.

Something that you will encounter a lot is pub quizzes. Pub quizzes are a great chance to meet new people and they are never usually that serious as they are usually just questions from pop culture and so you can just focus on having a good time rather than trying to get it all right.

Ge to Know Your Housemates

Unless you decide to live alone at university, you will have a lot of housemates that you will have to get to know. The last thing that you want is to spend all of your time in your room, as you will just feel uncomfortable in the place that you have to live.

Even if your housemates don’t really seem like your type of people, you are going to have to live with them for at least a year so you should at least get to know them a bit. Ask them about their life and what they are doing at uni, and you may realize that you have a lot more in common than you initially thought.

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How To Live Your Below Deck Fantasy

During the lockdown, something that we can all agree on is that we become hooked on Below Deck. This show has been out for some time, but last year we all got hooked on it. With dozens of different series already released on popular streaming sites like Netflix and Prime, we were all able to binge the show, which got a lot of us thinking.

A lot of the people that worked on and hired the cruise ships on the show were living the life that we all wanted. Imagine, cruising around the world without a care in the world, it is what we all want.

Below Deck has plenty of drama, but above all, it has luxury, so much so that even the cruise workers get to experience it from time to time. If like me, you binged the show and have been left with an overwhelming feeling of envy, then you may have already been googling yachts and other things from the show.

The price point for these luxuries may be high, but that does not mean that they are unobtainable. Though you may believe that it is completely out of reach, there are ways that you can live your Below Deck fantasy, and here is how.

Look Into Deck or Steward Work

If you are someone that watched the show and you were not left jealous by the guests, but by the crew, then it may be worth looking into how you can do it yourself. Yachting has been around for decades upon decades and during this time yachting companies have been looking for reliable staff.

Working on yachts and cruising is likely not something that was promoted to you during your education, but you can actually make some decent money doing it, and it is a whole lot of fun.

If you think that you would like to take on a position as a deckhand, then be prepared for a whole lot of work. You need extensive training to be able to work on a boat as a deckhand, as expensive equipment and human lives are in your hand.

If you are someone that lives in or near a coastal town, then it is likely there will be some classes or volunteering that you can take part in to improve your skills. You have to remember that cruise ships and yachts are big vessels that require a lot of attention. Even if you have the right qualifications and you think that you are ready, you should first take the time to work on a smaller boat. This will allow you to gain some familiarity with the boats and will stop you from becoming overwhelmed when you do eventually decide to take to yachting.

If you have watched the show, then it has likely that you have felt jealous of the stewards. From the perspective of the rest of the yacht, the job of the steward does not seem too challenging. Stewards do a lot of entertaining, drink making and cleaning. For this reason, the idea of being a steward may be extremely appealing to you and it can actually be achieved quite easily. You do need some extensive training on aspects such as drink making and serving, but once you have done that then you will be ready to go.

Hire A Yacht

So the yachts that are used in Below Deck may be a bit out of your price range. This is especially the case when you think about the cost of the tip that is expected of you after you have enjoyed the holiday experience.

However, not all yachts cost the same amount as the ones on Below Deck, so you may find that you can afford to rent one. If you are someone that lives in Florida, then it is likely that you have already spent plenty of time in the water. However, something that you may not know is that if you go to Miami, then you can experience something super similar to Below Deck.

These yachts can be rented for a few days, meaning that you can take them to the seas and see some sites and play with water toys.

Of course, this will not be an extremely cheap experience, but it will be worth it in the end, as no other experience can compare to it. It is also a great opportunity to take some fantastic shots and make memories that you will never forget. The Miami coast also has some fantastic places to explore, which means that you can see some beautiful scenery and have a brilliant time.

Have a Luxury Beach Experience

Something that we all love about the show is the beach picnic experiences. These beach experiences always lead to a lot of drama for the staff, as it is really stressful to set up, which is great for entertainment value.

Though there tends to be a lot of drama, the staff always ends up setting up a fantastic beach picnic that leaves us all feeling jealous. You do not have to be left feeling jealous of these beach experiences, as you can recreate them on your own and it is very easy to do. Find a beach and pack a luxury picnic, including wine and even a cheeseboard and you can live like a luxury guest.

Posted on By: Admin

The Comprehensive Checklist for Moving Abroad

At one point or another, we have all dreamed of packing our bags and travelling to another country. In the last year or so, we have all been forced to remain within the confines of our own countries. For this reason, many people are finally making the leap and deciding to leave their old lives behind and start again in a brand new country.

Moving abroad is not quite the same as booking a holiday with some friends and there are some important steps that you must follow in order to ensure that your move abroad is a success. Here is a comprehensive checklist for moving abroad.

Make sure that you have employment ready for you

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is moving abroad with the expectation that they will be able to find a job quite easily. This is not the case at all, as when you are someone from a different country, you have to complete months of paperwork and other important documentation before you are even allowed to work.

We recommend that you sort all of this out before you go away, as it will be much easier to do from the comfort of your own home as opposed to doing it while you are in a country that you are not familiar with.  Securing employment also means that you will feel a lot more comfortable when you do make the move, so be sure to check out any companies that may be hiring. Before I moved abroad,  I got in touch with a company where I bought residential and commercial roofing leads in order to look for labouring work for my partner.

Make sure your insurance is in check

Before going on holiday, everybody knows that you are supposed to make sure that you have all of the right insurance so that if any injuries occur, you are protected. When moving abroad, the way in which things work may be worlds apart from how it works back home.  For example, where you are from you may be used to having access to free health care, but where you are moving health care may not be free.

People often make the mistake of not considering how another place may be different from the country that they were born in and so do not check up on these things, which means that they walk into the new country thinking that it will be totally fine, but more often than not, this is not the case.

Make sure you are ready

A lot of people decide to move to a different country on a whim and a lot of people quickly forget it and return home, which can be extremely expensive. Before you decide to make the move and make the full commitment, we recommend that you spend at least a month pondering whether or not you really want to make the big step.

If you have a partner, you should also talk this through with them , as you need to remember that your moving can also have an impact on them, which is something that you will need to think about.

Learn some of the language

Another common mistake that is made by movers is expecting whichever country you decide to move to to speak your language. This may be the case for some places, but to make life a little easier for yourself you should be able to at least say simple sentences and ask important questions so you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation in the future.

Posted on By: Admin

The 4 Countries with the Best Shopping Environments

There are plenty of reasons someone might go traveling. Perhaps they want to soak up the culture of a different nation. Maybe they want to immerse themselves in new cuisine. Some simply want to lounge under the scorching sun and work on their tan. And that is the beauty of traveling. There is so much on offer the world over to entice and captivate us.

One of the less talked about reasons for travel is one of the ones that almost everyone engages with while abroad. Shopping. Love it or hate it, shopping is one of the mainstays of the tourism industry. Countries and local communities depend on shoppers coming from abroad. Many people build their entire life around it.

It might seem very extravagant to go abroad simply for a shopping spree, but there are many items and products that can only be bought abroad and a lot of countries offer a unique shopping experience. Below we are going to look at four countries with the most unique and diverse shopping environments on the planet.

The U.S.A

No list about shopping is complete without the most obvious choice. The United States of America. The home of capitalism in its finest. No other country takes the shopping mania to such extremes or flaunts their incredible shopping environments as proudly as the USA. And rightly so.

The different states of America each boast their own unique identities and charm. And within that, you will find a variety of different products available. A lot of the lesser-known states boast rich and historic memorabilia or their own food products grown in their own yards. While some of the larger states are home to supermalls that receive products from the world over. You will find that private label cosmetics are available here along with many other products often only available to specific countries.

Japan

The land of automation! Those who travel to Japan will attest it is like stepping into the future. Japan is an industrious and forward-thinking nation. One that holds their history and traditions close while also looking to the future with open arms. And this is reflected in their shopping environment.

Japan is famous for its automated stores. Everything from robots at the checkouts, to entire stores being filled with nothing but Gacha machines. It is definitely a thrilling and futuristic experience that cannot be replicated anywhere. For those looking for a more human experience, Japan might not be for you. But for those who are thrilled with technological advances. This is your ideal shopping holiday.

Singapore

For those looking for a more human experience, Singapore may be the best choice. Singapore has all the normal malls and stores, but the real shopping magic is held within its sprawling markets. Street after street is covered in market stalls boasting exotic products and a bustling environment filled with haggling, dancers, parades, exhibitions, and an atmosphere of real human connection.

Not to mention you are more likely to find a variety of handmade items that can’t be found anywhere else. The level of rarity and unique spin these shops offer is second to none.

Italy

History buffs, this is the place for you. Italy is a land rich in history and shopping. Not only are they a cultural food hub, but their shopping environment is housed in historical roman buildings and boasts an impressive selection of historic memorabilia mixed with modern pleasures. Not to mention Vatican City will offer a unique experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. If you want a more traditional shopping experience, Italy isn’t the place. But for anyone who wants to soak up some history while they shop, grab the next flight over.

 

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The Best Family Friendly Hotels In The USA

Nothing can quite match the sinking feeling of organizing a vacation, picking the location, buying the tickets, and then arriving at a hotel that is unsuitable for your entire family. This passage will aim to remove this stress from your life by breaking down five of the best family-friendly hotels in the USA.

 

The Inn at Entrada

The Inn at Entrada is a luxurious hotel based in St. George, Utah. Over recent years, the Entrada has invested in its facilities for general families; with the introduction of a brand new pool and soccer, pitches to keep the kids busy. The hotel is still staying open despite the corona crisis and has promised to provide guests with the safest possible experience; but I am sorry to say this does mean an end to the famous free cookies that the Entrada has to offer, well I do suppose that safety does come first.

 

The Woodlands Resort & Conference Centre

Now the important part of this title is the location, the Woodlands resort offers a beautiful slice of paradise in the Texas heat. The Woodlands will probably remind you more of Mexico than any part of the USA, with intense heat and beautiful palm trees. At $150 a night for a two-bedroom room, the Woodlands will offer you the perfect piece of marriage relaxation, as your kids are pre-occupied with the dual waterslides and multiple little hobbies. Now the resort can actually boast an all-new bamboo mattress, I could spend this entire passage talking about the quality of bamboo so just check these reviews of bamboo mattresses.

 

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

The Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a true blast from the past boasting a 50s themed aesthetic, the look is bound to show your children some memories of your own childhood. As the name would suggest to you the hotel is actually located just next to Universal’s Orlando resort. The 50’s styled diner plays host to a cool vintage style menu, which your kids are bound to enjoy. The hotel is also built on the steps of the new Universal Orlando waterpark giving your children a taste of the future, you will be able to once more enjoy a piece of your past, this hotel is risk-free and is bound to be fun for all the family.

 

Red Cliffs Lodge

To take this passage back to Utah we have the Red Cliffs Lodge. Based on the Colorado river the lodge will offer you and your family a litany of outdoor activities. With everything from horse riding to hiking, while still offering you and your families the modern excitements of a swimming pool and a five-star restaurant. You and your kids can play cowboys in the saloon-style bar and restaurant, or you can leave your kids to play while you and your partner test out the on-site wine testing facilities. For a quiet time away from the city Red Cliffs is an absolute must.

 

Kingsmill Resort

Finally, we have the Kingsmill resort of Williamsburg, Virginia. Perhaps the most all-around inclusion in this list is the Kingsmill, based on the James river the Kingsmill has everything your kid will need. Offering a number of different activities to keep your family busy. For your kids, there are movie nights, camp out nights, and sports pitches, while the parents will have the opportunity to play on the resorts 18 hole golf course. The Kingsmill is the perfect location for any family offering a safe space for the perfect family vacation.

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The Best Holiday Destinations for Athletes

Traveling the world is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The benefits of traveling for the mind, body, and for your general intellect have been well documented time and time again. And traveling need not be a fully-fledged holiday abroad, it can simply be taking time to appreciate your own country as well. It is surprising how much is hidden away in your own back yard, so to speak. Regardless of where you go though, travel broadens the mind and opens your heart to new and exciting experiences.

But traveling abroad need not simply be for a vacation. For many athletes, the chance to travel is the chance to take your favorite sport to a new locale and experience it in a new and exciting way. A change of scenery or an added challenge due to terrain is the ultimate thrill for an athlete. But where are the best places to go if you are looking for somewhere new to play? Below we are going to look at some of the best destinations for athletes.

Australia

The great world of the Downunder. Australia is known the world over for its fierce athletes, scorching heat, deadly insects, and beautiful vistas. And it is a hotspot for many exciting sports that bring athletes from the world over every year. The two biggest sports that Australia is perfect for are surfing and diving. So much so that the sports have become national symbols, which most people would agree to highlight the beauty of the country as a whole.

Australia boasts the most luscious beaches anywhere. Clear blue oceans with fantastic waves that will capture the heart of any budding surfer. So its no surprise people flock in their hundreds. And when it comes to diving, make sure you are geared up with all the best equipment from diving picks because you do not want to be caught unprepared when you see the amazing reefs. Diving amongst them is an honor. Keep in mind though they are fragile and need protection.

England

The home of football (Or soccer if you prefer.) England is often associated with stuffy gentlemen, bad weather, and tea. But it boasts a rich and deep history of sports. Famous for sports such as cricket and rugby, alongside football and tennis, England is home to many athletes and some of the finest arenas in the world. England is also home to some lesser-known sports, such as polo and, oddly enough, cheese rolling.

England has a rich tapestry of sports history and activities on offer. For any athlete looking to expand their historical information about a sport or hoping to try something new, England is definitely worth your consideration. The country offers some of the best educational programs too, meaning anyone looking to approach the more theoretical aspects of sports is in good hands in England.

 

Japan

Japan might not be the obvious first choice, but it is the home to the world-famous sumo wrestling. One of the most interesting and unique sports. On top of that, the country is home to some amazing martial arts programs and schools. It is a country of discipline and honor.

To that end, any athlete visiting Japan to hone their skills can expect to find a rich well of resources and information at their disposal. The country does not take things lightly and will make sure you are being taught how to increase your own self-disciple and hone your body and mind as one. On top of that, it has some of the most beautiful scenery, rich history, and fascinating cultural attractions you will ever see.

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The Best Adventure Holidays in South America

Peru – hike the Salkantay trail to Machu picchu.

A very popular adventure holiday destination can be found in Peru and the breathtaking trek that provides amazing views over the busy Inca Trail but in a much more peaceful and calm environment. There’s no denying that the Inca Trail is amazing but, thanks to over popularity and social media coverage the views are sometimes spoiled by the touristy atmosphere. At the Machu Picchu it is considered more of a hidden gem and there are just as many sights to be seen from thick forest rich in wildlife to historical ruins that portray the tale of time. This is definitely designed for the adventurous and not for the faint of heart. Someone who is going to pay a visit to Peru would have to be a really enthusiastic person, someone who isn’t afraid to get stuck in with the physical parts like hiking through the jungle. In terms of recommended duration, I would say that you can see what you need in 7 days, accommodation would be things like wild camping dead in the centre of the jungle. This trip was rated to be one of the top 25 treks by National Geographic, it can be a very exclusive trip to partake in but should you ever have the opportunity, I would take it!

 

Columbia – 100km Jungle Expedition.

Columbia is another Jungle type adventure holiday that isn’t one to miss, travelling through the heart of an untouched Columbian jungle that is filled with amazing visuals and a variety of rare and unique wildlife. The jungle is packed with a range of animal life including aquatic creatures like fish and eels, jungle dwellers like a range of monkey species and brightly colored birds that dwell in the upper treeline. The animal kingdom is reason alone to go but with breathtaking depths of water and waterfalls, the strong cave line that for those of you who are brave enough may want to climb up to see even more amazing views and the fact that this is all protected under a national reserve, meaning that this is all untouched really does add to the uniqueness of the expedition.

A piece of advice I would give to those of you that are interested in giving this adventure a go would have to be to remember to be well equipped, although a skilled tour guide will be there to ensure you are safe, you must be self-sufficient in remembering to pack the essentials and a well-stocked survival kit can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and a bad one and even life and death in some serious scenarios. Tools to remember that are vital would have to be waterproofs, tents, range of clothes, medicines, first aid kits, whittling knife and rope. It is important that you take time to look at the specifics of what you are buying, with a little research you may choose to do things like, compare the specifications of your chosen tent to ensure it is suitable, or pursuingoutdoors reviews of whittling knives so that you can be sure the tools can deal with the type of foliage, or sourcing a variety of different clothes that are suitable for a range of weather conditions – remember to layer!

 

Caribbean – Delve into the Belize Barrier Reef.

A bucket list staple for some many of us budding adventurers is snorkeling amongst stunning water life if being underwater marveling at the amazing sea life sounds like something you would enjoy then the Caribbean would definitely be a great choice for you. Belize is hidden within a remote island and just to make the island experience even greater only a select amount of visitors are allowed on the island at a time, so you expect to see a very tranquil setting so you can really take the time to enjoy this unique location in peace and solitude. The sea life alone is worth a mention as it really is something that you won’t find anywhere else, visit the Carribeans crystal clear waters and take some time to get away from everything you hate about industrial life, getting away from the hustle and bustle is a great opportunity to truly relax.

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4 Fun Ways to Travel While Abroad

When you travel abroad, it’s always good to try new activities and experience new cultures. Sometimes going to the same place and doing the same thing on each vacation can get a little tiring. Whether you want to look up new action-packed activities to do with your family or friends, or if you simply want to find fun new ways to travel whilst you’re abroad, even these simple things can add something special to your vacation. If this sounds interesting to you and you want to know some fun ways to travel whilst abroad on vacation, look no further than this list:

Train:

This method of travel is one that many people try when they are young-adult and interested in seeing a lot of sights in a short period of time. Travelling by train across Europe, otherwise known as interrailing, is a cheap and effective way to see as many countries as you can across the continent and exposes you to many new cultures at a cheap price. There is also the option to take a coast to coast sleeper train across the US, allowing you to see many of the best sights without having to worry about driving or getting a plane.

Electric Scooters:

Useful for just travelling around the complex you are staying on whilst on vacation, electric scooters can be a very effective yet fun way to get around the area. Whilst there have always been many options of electric scooters to choose from, there are good quality adult electric scooters that are safe and cost-effective available at adultelectricscooters.co.uk. For more information on finding the perfect adult electric scooter for you on your travels, then that is the best website for you.

Cycling:

Many big cities across the UK and other countries in Europe have joined in with the initiative to have racks of hire bikes everywhere for tourists or even locals to hire a bike and cycle, and this is another fun travel option if you vacation in Europe. This is not only cheap but will allow you to see the sights at your own pace, without the need for spending money on joining a guided tour. It also provides a fun way for you and your family or friends to stay fit and healthy on your vacation as many of us can sometimes become slightly lazy when we have time off or time to relax.

Cruise:

Similarly to taking a train, this option is more so for someone who is interested in seeing multiple countries whilst on vacation. There are a number of different cruise options to take; whether that’s one around the Caribbean or a Baltic cruise, you’re bound to have some fun and learn about a multitude of different cultures. Whilst cruises can be very expensive if they are something that you can afford then it is definitely worth splashing out on as this method of travel will be one that you will remember and look back on for years to come.

 

 

Posted on By: poppy higgins