Travelling can be more than just a way to blow off steam after months of hard, academic slog; it’s also a great way to add valuable skills and experience to your CV, which could prove extremely useful when you come to explore the job market.
Whether you’re planning to study for semester at a British university, or you simply want to explore the land that produced Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Harry Potter, take a look at these top tips.
1. Getting to Britain
There’s no escaping it. The journey from New Zealand to Britain, which will probably take around two days, is an absolute killer.
Your best bet is stop off in the Middle East, usually Dubai, to give yourself a chance to break up your travelling time. Check out Emirates for flights to the UK via Dubai, and for hotel deals if you should decide to spend a few days there.
2. Finding accommodation
If you’re travelling during what will be the British university summer (that’s around June to September) one option to consider is living in the halls of residence, which universities will let out during the summer break.
Once you’ve chosen a city, get in touch with the local university to see if this is something they offer.
3. Getting around
Unfortunately, Euro Rail tickets exclude the British Isles, meaning that getting around this destination isn’t as easy as if you were travelling in France or Spain.
Of course, you could choose to pay for individual train tickets, but this can be a drain on your budget. A popular option for students in the UK is travelling by Megabus, an intercity coach service that sells tickets for as little £1. A word of warning: journeys can take several hours, even when you’re covering short distances, but it’s the perfect option for travellers on a tight budget.
4. Money worries
Running out of money might not have occurred to you, but we’re sure it’s at the forefront of your parents’ minds!
Sending money abroad used to require lengthy processes at bank and there often wasn’t the guarantee that it would actually get there. Thankfully, things have moved on a lot since then and it’s now easy to send money quickly and securely.
If your parents are having reservations about letting you travel, point out that they can send money overseas using foreign currency bureaus like Travelex, should there be an emergency.
5. What to do while you’re here.
If you’re here for a couple of months, of course you’re going to be bored if you’re just spending your time sightseeing.
Make the most of your time, and the chance to add something unique to your CV, by doing some volunteer work. The National Trust is a British charity responsible for looking after the country’s most beautiful buildings and landscapes – and they’re always on the lookout for volunteers! You could be doing anything from gardening to looking after a stately home, and some opportunities will even provide bed and board.