Yes. I save up.
But let me explain. Believe it or not, but I do actually have a social life and I do go out. But I find ways to make it affordable. Orange Wednesdays. Free entry before 10pm. 2 for 1 deals on drinks. Why spend more if you can spend less?
I was never the kind to get drunk every chance I got, and I think this paid off. It really baffles me when I see other people’s facebook statuses about how they managed to spend over 50% of their student loan in Freshers Week only! I mean, this is probably not a problem for someone who has a steady income, such as a part-time job; but for me (with student loan being my only source of income) this would be unacceptable!
So I decided to save up. And guess what? The money I didn’t spend on getting drunk went towards something that is most likely to be the best summer of my life!
And what is it, may you ask? I will be spending my summer at an American summer camp as an Activity Counsellor. After the camp I will have time to travel across the States, which is something I have dreamt of doing since I was old enough to dream about it! I already started planning my post-camp travels, but I’m still waiting for my placement to be confirmed, so I actually know in what part of United States I will spend most of the summer, and my 20th birthday. I consider this opportunity the best present I could ever get myself.
So… wow. I would have never thought that it would be the student loan that would enable me to go. But it did. And you know what? I’m glad I didin’t have those extra cocktails because, let’s face it, cocktails give you headaches. And what would you rather have: a headache, or memories that last lifetime?
Wow, that sounds cool! What did you have to pay for – the flights I guess? Do you get paid while you’re there?
Sounds great though!
I paid £450 and that covers application processing, flights, transfer from NY airport to the camp, 3 months insurance, help with all the paperwork… There’s also the additional costs for visa, background checks etc but still a very good deal
I do get paid while there – not much, but it will pretty much cover accomodation and transport when I travel afterwards.
Oh and I get free accomodation and food while at the camp
That sounds excellent, maybe I’ll give it a go sometime! Well done on the saving, I always turn to MoneySavingExpert.com for excellent financial info and savings tips.
By the way, how did you find out about it, did you apply over the internet? And which State are you going to? It sounds really great!
http://www.ccusa.co.uk/ That’s the organisation I’m going with, but there’s loads of them out there! I follow at least 2 more on Twitter. I chose this one because of the types of camps they were offering.
Hi Maria!
Do you have a skype? I would like to contact wuth you, because I will start my studying at the University of Portsmouth in September)))