Not So Much in a Nutshell

The view from my dormitory in Gyeongsan, South Korea.

Before I get ahead of myself let me explain what "Not So Much" is all about. I recently spent six months overseas attending a foreign university on an exchange program with my home university while simultaneously teaching conversational English in elementary schools part time in an after school program. It changed my life. Now back States, finishing up my degree people have begun asking me questions. This graduation season has been filled with parties for  family and friends, and at every party attended I'm asked what I've been up to lately. When I tell people they're shocked I was able to go, and what's more they want to know HOW I did it.

A talkative painter on the coast at Busan, South Korea.

I make no secret of how broke I usually am. I take out student loans and barely scrape by with my part time salary while still living at home. Don't get me wrong, I never want for food, clothing, or shelter, but  I can't afford to go frolicking all over the world studying wherever I please. All these kids graduating come from big families that can't afford to send one kid overseas for a semester. The plane tickets alone cost too much. Despite  money issues these parents still want their children to have the kinds of cultural experiences you can only have when you are a guest in another country for an extended period of time.

1st/2nd grade Halloween party.

When I walked into my university's study abroad office I had already switched majors from a program that provided me with a substantial scholarship to a program where I had no scholarship. I was excited because my new major would allow me to study abroad while working towards my degree, but I was determined that I wouldn't study abroad if it was going to cost my parents. Being the oldest of five siblings I didn't want to put anymore financial pressure on the family than already existed.

The Dream Team from my Effective Communication Course.

Through the help of my home university, my study abroad university, and a program called Teach and Learn in Korea I was able to accomplish my dream. I realized that if you travel smart, you don't have to be rich to travel. Hard work and a positive outlook on my situation took me farther than I ever thought possible. This blog is meant to be somewhat of a guidebook for people looking to travel smart. I can't make it happen for you, but I can explain how I did it, and hopefully it will help and inspire other young people to get out there and see the world, because once you do there is no going back.