Spring Break
Leaving on a jet plane
Stephanie Fu
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinion
The summer is approaching and for many college students, so is the mystery of what activities there are to fill those long dog-days. Ideally, these months could just be spent lazing by the poolside or a never-ending trip out to the beach. Unfortunately, for most, the summer months are the only opportunity to catch up on classes or once again boost that resume in a continuously growing competitive atmosphere with an internship. The one outstanding stipulation is travel costs. Many internships are offered in North Carolina as well as other areas all over the country, and many classes can be taken in a foreign country. It seems extremely unfair that travel costs should limit someone to their choice of internship.
For many years, gasoline has increased in price and has done so steadily. Just a few years ago, gas was reaching and then exceeding $3 a gallon for automobile drivers. Working like a chain reaction, air fare, train fare and many other forms of travel raised their prices due to the fuel cost, some even labeling these increases a mandatory fuel tax. The American Express Business Travel predicts in its annual "Global Business Travel Forecast and Trends" a 2 to 5 percent increase in average costs of travel this year. Domestic trips are predicted to increase to an average of $1,139 per trip. Average international trips are predicted to increase $3,556 or higher.
Yet even with all of these numbers and talk of the economic downfall, I refuse to be discouraged from embarking on my small road trips and adventures this summer. There are several ways to get around the obstacles of a financial issue. Although the window of opportunity to travel has seemed to shrink, the number of scholarships available to study abroad has still remained constant. Even if there are many students applying for them, it is still worth a shot, and some students will only apply to the few that are the most advertised or with the largest amount. However, there are several smaller scholarships available inside and out of ECU. A few hundred dollars is still that much more that can go back into the piggy bank. Many professors in certain subject areas will be extremely enthusiastic to help and reveal helpful tips or lesser known avenues to attain those scholarships.
For many years, gasoline has increased in price and has done so steadily. Just a few years ago, gas was reaching and then exceeding $3 a gallon for automobile drivers. Working like a chain reaction, air fare, train fare and many other forms of travel raised their prices due to the fuel cost, some even labeling these increases a mandatory fuel tax. The American Express Business Travel predicts in its annual "Global Business Travel Forecast and Trends" a 2 to 5 percent increase in average costs of travel this year. Domestic trips are predicted to increase to an average of $1,139 per trip. Average international trips are predicted to increase $3,556 or higher.
Yet even with all of these numbers and talk of the economic downfall, I refuse to be discouraged from embarking on my small road trips and adventures this summer. There are several ways to get around the obstacles of a financial issue. Although the window of opportunity to travel has seemed to shrink, the number of scholarships available to study abroad has still remained constant. Even if there are many students applying for them, it is still worth a shot, and some students will only apply to the few that are the most advertised or with the largest amount. However, there are several smaller scholarships available inside and out of ECU. A few hundred dollars is still that much more that can go back into the piggy bank. Many professors in certain subject areas will be extremely enthusiastic to help and reveal helpful tips or lesser known avenues to attain those scholarships.
Be the first to comment on this story