I'll weigh in here. Don't get in over your head with debt. For a competent Flyertalker with good credit, free travel on credit card miles is easy.

Korea is different. Due to the SOFA, even wives of servicemen/husbands of servicewomen not stationed in Korea cannot get shopping permission. I have a friend who divorced her husband of 35+ years; he is a retiree and lives in the U.S. and she in Korea; she cannot shop at the PX or Commissary or buy gasoline, but has an ID card allowing her on post. If I weren't stationed here, if my wife came alone on a visit to Korea, she could not shop either (I have to be with her).

To mention what another said above, teaching English is always a possibility, but without a TEFL certificate and a lot experience, it can be hard. Also, here in Korea this week, a number of English teacher (something like 20+) ex-pats were just arrested for drug selling to their students. This is going to make it even harder to get a job here. As an aside, I have three advanced degrees from the U.S. and I am not qualified to teach English here because I don't have a teaching certificate. Other countries may be different.

I think you need to sit down and make a realistic trip budget, even if you don't have the money yet to buy it. You mention you won't do couchsurfing and "may" look into hostels in expesnive countries. In order to pay for two weeks of hotels (not hostels) alone could get very expensive. If you go for basic that generally means no cooking facilities so you will need to up your daily food budget, unless you plan on living off of bananas and peanut butter. Even "cheap" travel can cost you $200 per day when you factor in transportation, food, entertainment, etc.

Trust me, I've looked into it and have had realistic thoughts about budgeting. You say expensive countries can run up your money, yet I've looked into countries like Dubai (want to travel there) and they have expensive and cheaper options there. For example, a round trip from Cincinnati (where I live) to Dubai is around $1000 (literally just checked). I'v also found a hotel that is <$60 a day and looks pretty nice to be honest. Nothing special but I won't be in the hotel much to begin with. Also they have cheap options for places to go. Like the aquarium which is $20 for a ticket or the giant water park which is also very cheap.

If I traveled to Dubai today, I could buy a ticket (let's round up and say $1100, round trip) and get a $60 room (if not less) for 14 days. That's less than $2000. I mentioned earlier I would be up to spending $4000 - $5000 on a trip. Why isn't this "realistic"? Surely food, transportation, entertainment, etc. won't drive me over the budget. This is also an "expensive" country don't forget.

I do believe you need to do more research. Have you googled for budget travel, cheap travel or similar key words? You will find a myriad of websites devoted for this kind of trips.

IMO, 4k or 5k for a 2-week trip is a lot of money for a young guy in a budget. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to cut it to half and still be able to enjoy and have a memorable trip. Since you don't start with the expensive destinations first... ;)

In other hands, young people are more flexible in terms of comfort and mid-aged and old people... Maybe you can start with Dubai and similar others because you may accept situations that you won't in the future. It'll be your call, nobody can decide for you.

In my case, I used to camping up to my early 20's. Now, mid 40's, no way Jose! I want, I need! a bed for the sake of my back. Maybe I could survive :D a weekend nowadays, but a 2, 3-week trips I was used to do? Nope.

I also regret I didn't take a train trip to Machu Picchu when I was in the college. I didn't have the money to do the trip with my friends at that time. Now, I can afford this trip with my wife, but neither of us was willing to take a 3 days train ride in a bone-shaker wooden bench. When we decide to go to Machu Picchu, it'll be by plane, staying in a decent hotel, with private bathroom.

Yes, you could probably get by in Dubai for 2 weeks on 5k. But why would you want to spend 25% of your entire savings for 1 year (well, if you spend exactly $0 during that year) on a two week vacation? You will learn there are many more things you will need to pay for when you get out of AIT, even if you are living at home.

Probably better to save you money, got to college, get a better job and travel then. I can't forsee ANY company in the US giving a high-school diploma 6 weeks of vacation to start out with. Maybe 2, if you're lucky.

I have not been to Morocco, altho I have also heard good things, and I wouldn't hesitate to go if it interests you.

The African countries I've been to are Egypt and a handful of southern African countries. I loved southern Africa, although I was there for 2 years with the Peace Corps, which is a different experience than a vacation. You really get to know people, customs, etc, which I enjoyed. tls

I love this kid's optimism:

17 years old
hasn't graduated high school
believes he will make 20K per year and be able to only spend 5K on living expenses for the year (food, car insurance, mobile phone, clothing, toiletries, etc)
Believes a job with 6 weeks vacation will fall in his lap and he will be making good money with one year of National Guard experience.


I just made a note in my calendar to come check in on this thread in a year. :)

Love your enthusiasm for travel. Wish I had fallen in love with travel at 17.

I'd suggest Central America. Close, cheap.

I went to Dubai in November last year. Boring. But your experience could be different.

In SE Asia, you can find places to stay for $20-40 a night and food is really cheap.

I like to spend longer than two weeks when I travel. SE Asia is a long way away.

Good luck.

Ah, to be totally oblivious... I miss high school!

I already have money saved so it won't be 25%. I know I will have to pay for a lot more things, but definitely nothing that will break my 20k+ even if I go on a trip. I plan to go on the trip before getting a new job. Also my college tuition is free and I'm already accrediting college hours in high school. Btw, I said the trip will be 2 weeks, where did 6 come from?

Thanks for actually reading what I wrote! *sarcasm

Where did I say I will make 20k a year and only spend 5k on living expenses? Answer is... I didn't. I said 5k max for the trip. Also I never asked for a 6 week vacation, only 2. Btw, it wouldn't make sense to check this thread out in a year considering I won't be traveling until September 2016. [Unduly personalized remarks edited by Moderator per FT Rules.]

Thanks for the tips! I want to go to SE Asia as well but I thought I would try out Dubai!

Same here. I don't think $20K will go very far, even if the OP has no "fixed address" and lives like a nomad.

This is one of those things he is going to need to learn on his own. He has shot down every conversation that shows him how he may not be able to save as much money as he believes on his "big time" salary. He makes a point of saying that an E3 makes "considerably more" while many have pointed out that it is $200 monthly difference. $200 is nice, but to most that is a blip in an adult life. Even if still living with his parents, you need to consider a lot more since you can't sponge off your parents forever. Sure he can save a lot but he hasn't really made a realistic budget for day to day living, much less than for the dream travel.

On the other hand, if Shane actually does pull this off, everyone on this thread will be insanely jealous. :)