String searches for purpose
October 20th 2007 06:11
Travel String came across a brochure from the Continuing Education Centre of Sydney University today. It outlines travel education programs available for everyone to enrol in, with a range of countries and learning experiences catered for anyone's taste.
That brought me thinking - when we go to travel agents we are often showered with brochure after brochure of packages, tours, cruises and independent options, but none that tells us how to really experience a place. Sure if you are satisfied just posing for photos and leaving after a day or two without learning more about the place, but Travel String happens to be a curios little monkey that likes to at least accomplish something while travelling, so this brochure I picked up was just heaven.
I was intrigued by the different education they offer through a travel tour. There are things like Musical Experiences in Austria, Writing Retreats in Shimla, Learn Ancient History in Egypt and Leadership journey in the Himalayas.
The idea is a great one. These tours give you a lot of insight into the places you are visiting, especially if you have a special interest in an academic area or just want to expand your horizons. As a writer of course I was tempted by the Writing Retreat option but looking at the prices I may have to give myself another year to save up.
Or, the ever so clever me thought of another alternative.
Why don't I organise one myself?
With the availability of information on the internet, if you are a frequent traveller you always know where to look. For me to organise a writing retreat by myself, I need to 1) find a quiet and traquil place to visit 2) find flights 3) find local information
Well that was easy wasn't it? If you are like me who likes independent travel, you can always do a bit of research and the price you end up paying will be a lot less than the tours offers. However, there is an advantage to these tours - they have everything taken care of for you. I am not saying that you won't be allowed freedom, but for example, when visiting the Middle East you may just be stuck between conflicts and going with a tour you know you'll have professionals that will be doing their best to contact embassies to help out rather than being by yourself with no one else to turn to.
Many people are travelling for a purpose now, and a lot of them are coming home with new found passions and knowledge taking them further along their lives. Cooking classes are popular for those travelling to European and Asian countries. Travel to learn a new language is good too and I definitely recommend it. No matter how hard you study there is no comparison with learning the language in their own countries - take my word for it, I've learnt two through this method!
To get a couple of local contacts you are either visit YourSafePlanet.co.uk, who puts you in contact with local people for specific local information, if you are travelling on your own. Find out where the best schools are, where the best experiences are and away you go!
Still flipping through the brochure, I've dog ear’ed a couple of pages for reference. I think I may have to set up a saving plan and start planning for next year!
Click for further information -> Centre for Continuing Education Travel Program
That brought me thinking - when we go to travel agents we are often showered with brochure after brochure of packages, tours, cruises and independent options, but none that tells us how to really experience a place. Sure if you are satisfied just posing for photos and leaving after a day or two without learning more about the place, but Travel String happens to be a curios little monkey that likes to at least accomplish something while travelling, so this brochure I picked up was just heaven.
I was intrigued by the different education they offer through a travel tour. There are things like Musical Experiences in Austria, Writing Retreats in Shimla, Learn Ancient History in Egypt and Leadership journey in the Himalayas.
The idea is a great one. These tours give you a lot of insight into the places you are visiting, especially if you have a special interest in an academic area or just want to expand your horizons. As a writer of course I was tempted by the Writing Retreat option but looking at the prices I may have to give myself another year to save up.
Or, the ever so clever me thought of another alternative.
Why don't I organise one myself?
With the availability of information on the internet, if you are a frequent traveller you always know where to look. For me to organise a writing retreat by myself, I need to 1) find a quiet and traquil place to visit 2) find flights 3) find local information
Well that was easy wasn't it? If you are like me who likes independent travel, you can always do a bit of research and the price you end up paying will be a lot less than the tours offers. However, there is an advantage to these tours - they have everything taken care of for you. I am not saying that you won't be allowed freedom, but for example, when visiting the Middle East you may just be stuck between conflicts and going with a tour you know you'll have professionals that will be doing their best to contact embassies to help out rather than being by yourself with no one else to turn to.
Many people are travelling for a purpose now, and a lot of them are coming home with new found passions and knowledge taking them further along their lives. Cooking classes are popular for those travelling to European and Asian countries. Travel to learn a new language is good too and I definitely recommend it. No matter how hard you study there is no comparison with learning the language in their own countries - take my word for it, I've learnt two through this method!
To get a couple of local contacts you are either visit YourSafePlanet.co.uk, who puts you in contact with local people for specific local information, if you are travelling on your own. Find out where the best schools are, where the best experiences are and away you go!
Still flipping through the brochure, I've dog ear’ed a couple of pages for reference. I think I may have to set up a saving plan and start planning for next year!
Click for further information -> Centre for Continuing Education Travel Program
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Comment by Krystal
feelings
Mind you music in Austria would do me. I think I'd give the cooking a miss. You can do it yourself, really.
Crystal