Summer Traveling on a Budget: How to Gain Experience Without Going Abroad

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Summertime isn’t just for relaxation and catching up on sleep.

Many students use the time off to travel abroad through programs offered by their colleges, which often gives them the opportunity to study or intern in a foreign country. These programs are wonderful, and many students talk about their experiences for years after their trip.

However, these programs are very expensive, and they also require a student to give up a lot of time, which may not be possible if he or she is trying to graduate within a set number of years.

If you are a student who cannot afford to travel abroad for whatever reason, don’t worry! There are many different travel experiences that you can have that will enrich you and give you many stories to tell your friends when school resumes in the fall:

1. Museum hopping in your closest city: If you want to learn something new while experiencing a new environment, a great way to do so is through exploring museums in a city. Many museums have days in which students can be admitted at a discounted cost, and different museums have different themes that will satisfy different interests. After a day of hopping through multiple displays, take some time to experience the nightlife of the city you are visiting. You will come away from your experience with knowledge of a new topic, and you will have had fun experiencing a new type of urban culture.

2. Sitting on the beach: This idea may sound like all fun and no work, but it doesn’t have to be that way! While soaking up the sun, you can pick up a book you have been dying to read about the PR industry or professionalism, which may help you during your upcoming semester. If you aren’t located near a beach, explore other options. Some lakes are just as popular as beaches, and have sandy areas waiting for beach towels and umbrellas!

3. Visiting a historical site: Regardless of where you are located, there are historical sites around you. Visiting these sites will give you an opportunity to experience our country’s history first hand rather than through a history Gen Ed! Find sites near you by searching online-you never know what you will find!

What are some of your summer plans? Let us know in the comments!

Ways to Stay PRepared This Summer

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Spring semester is winding down, and thankfully the chaos of finals is coming to an end. You finally have time to think without having the stress of school work weighing you down. So now the next big question crosses your mind: what am I going to do this summer? If you start freaking out because your summer plans are not set in stone, take a deep breath and relax! Don't forget that you are not the only one.  Whether you are still applying for internships or taking this time off, here are tips for the summer to set yourself up for success. 

If you want an internship for the summer, keep looking!

It is not too late to get an internship, so do not give up! You can use internship websites like internships.com, internmatch.com and internqueen.com to find the latest opportunities in areas near you. It is always smart to check the career pages of companies you are interested in. Even if a position is not posted, you can always reach out and see they’d be interested in hiring an intern.

Sharpen your skills

When you look around on internship descriptions, take note of what skill sets and experiences keep popping up in several postings. Summer is a great opportunity to develop skills that you haven’t had time to improve on during the busy school year. For example, maybe you want to start your personal website you have been thinking about! Taking time to assess your weaknesses this summer will help you build new skills that can land your dream internship in the future. There are many online resources dedicated to helping with online skills. Free websites like Codecamedy and Khan Academy will teach you the art of coding and helpful tips for Excel. Don’t forget that Temple offers free Lynda.com workshops through your TUportal account!

Do something for yourself

It may seem like everyone around you has an internship, and you might be stressing about it, but it does not mean you are falling behind. Instead of focusing on what everyone else is doing, take the summer as a chance to pay more attention to yourself. Go out and explore a quiet little town that you live near or go on the hunt for the best brunch-whatever it is, go out and do it! Take care of your mind and body this summer, and you will feel a whole lot better by the time fall semester rolls around. You might even be thankful for the time to step back and relax. 

What's Important

Today, at least at Temple University, is the first day of classes for the fall. Summer is over, and it's the chance at a new beginning, whether it's new classes, a new internship, or a whole new school. Your whole situation might be about to change, but it's still important to remember a few key things this semester. Especially for fellow PR people, who's lives and schedules might already seem packed to the brim, these are really important for your own sanity.

1. Always make some time for your friends, for your family, and for fun. Life can't be all about work, everyone needs a little time off. A friend of mine is studying to take her MCAT in a month, which essentially determines the rest of her life, but even she knows to take 1 day off every week from studying. Fit some time whenever you can, have some laughs with your friends, it'll relax you after a long day at work. Class and work can seem like they're taking over your life, you have to remember to make that time for yourself.

2. Be proactive, be preemptive. For when you are at class or at work, be proactive and preemptive with what you do. Don't wait for your boss to tell you to do something, have it already finished by the time they assign it to you; especially for interns, it'll raise you that bit above all the rest! When you come into work one day, sit a minute and think to yourself, 'What'll my boss ask me to do today?', and then see if you can get it done before they ask. Distinguishing yourself from the crowd in that way is only going to boost your reputation.

3. Throw yourself into what you choose to do. Even if you're at work and you get a task you don't feel strongly about, don't choose the lazy way. A lot of the time, your boss will be watching to see how you handle the tasks you don't like more than the ones you do like. A positive attitude towards everything that comes your way is a must, not only will it improve your work ethic, but also your general mood. Think positively, and you'll act positively.

Keep these 3 things in mind this semester, and you're on your way to a healthy standard of living for the rest of your days. In many ways school and internships are practice for getting that job after college, so make the most of your opportunities to figure out what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try new things, and don't be afraid to say no when you know you won't enjoy something.

What do you think is important to keep in mind at school or work? We'd love to hear from you!