Europe beofre med school... how do these kids do it?

[Tribeca]

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I saw this thread in the Pre-Allopathic forums... seems like most pre-frosh MD students are goin on awesome trips to Europe before school starts. How can they afford this? Rich parents? Loans? Credit Cards? I'm so jealous. It's been ten years since my last trip to Europe and it's something that I wanna do as well as a treat for myself (and my husband) if I get in, but look at us here at the Non-Trad forums, we're mostly worried about bills, kids, familes, working full- or part-time, getting into more debt...*sigh* Just wondering.

[I didn't wanna post this in the allopathic forum, didn't wanna (and don't intend to) offend anybody 🙂 ]

 

[chopper]

Well, not only do they have less monetary responsibilities, but it can also be quite a bit cheaper for them to travel there. Staying in a hostel is not much of a problem when you are 21, but when you are older (and esp with kids), it isn't as much of an option.

And put it in perspective . . . you said you haven't been to Europe in 10 years. So . . . you've been to Europe when you were younger. Maybe back when you were in a similar situation to these people you talk about.

Oh, and you can go to Europe even if you are a bit older. I did, right before school started last year. You just need to plan it right.

 

[efex101]

It is called the eurorail pass or whatnot where they can visit many countries via the train system. Also they stay at "hostals" which are very cheap...and most backpack it. Very doable.

 

[QofQuimica]

I saw this thread in the Pre-Allopathic forums... seems like most pre-frosh MD students are goin on awesome trips to Europe before school starts. How can they afford this? Rich parents? Loans? Credit Cards? I'm so jealous. It's been ten years since my last trip to Europe and it's something that I wanna do as well as a treat for myself (and my husband) if I get in, but look at us here at the Non-Trad forums, we're mostly worried about bills, kids, familes, working full- or part-time, getting into more debt...*sigh* Just wondering.

[I didn't wanna post this in the allopathic forum, didn't wanna (and don't intend to) offend anybody 🙂 ]

Don't feel bad; I haven't ever been to Europe. 🙂

 

[PineappleGirl]

It is called the eurorail pass or whatnot where they can visit many countries via the train system. Also they stay at "hostals" which are very cheap...and most backpack it. Very doable.

It's all about the hostels. Last time I was in Paris a friend of mine and I shared a very decent room in a hostel for $20 per person per night. I think we were there three or four nights- total cost $80-$100 per person. Another suggestion on doing Europe cheaply: go to grocery stores and buy some yogurt, cheese and bread. Have them for breakfast and for lunch and save your dining out money on dinner. Even if the hostel doesn't have a fridge, you can hang your yogurt and cheese out the window in a plastic bag to keep it cool at night (might not work in the summer though, but did when we were there in Feb/ March). Also, a lot of hostels have breakfast included, so you don't even have to worry about that. Check the various airlines for cheap flights. Icelandicair was doing a promotion for $500 RT to Paris in April and May. If you do it real cheap like I suggest, a week's vacation will probably only set you back about $1,500- $2,000.

 

[colorado_doc_2B]

Yeah, I know what you mean, Tribeca. I probably can't afford to go to Europe either, but I still plan to travel a bit before med school. I might go to South America--the cost of living there is much less expensive than Europe, in general. Or, if I'm really short on cash, I might just take a road trip across the U.S. and spend time at some national parks I've always wanted to see.

 

[Gatewayhoward]

I've never been to Europe myself, but my friends reccomend Romania, they say they love Americans and your dollar goes a loonngg way.

 

[The Bell Jar]

well,I was a foreign exchange student when I went.But I also saved my money from part time jobs.And as someone else mentioned,I stayed in youth hostels etc.
Now I live there.

 

[notdeadyet]

Very cheap and very do-able. You can travel for weeks on money saved from a parttime job in college for a year.

Again, best experienced by the young. I knew I was too old for the hitch-hiking/hostel European travel the first time I slept in one of the bunks and it hurt my back the next day.

Growing old is not for sissies...

 

[Tribeca]

Thanks guys! I'm realizing that it's doable.... I feel less jealous now. 😛

 

[MJB]

I was lucky enough to "study" for a semester in England. 4 day school weeks allowed for very nice 3 day weekends all over Europe.

Lived here for 4 months...and like others have said, if you're willing to sacrifice some things, you can travel on the cheap over there...

 

[TypeA]

Ok, I have the $$ thing taken care of...any suggestions on the fear of flying? I HATE FLYING!!! 😀

 

[pingouin]

Ok, I have the $$ thing taken care of...any suggestions on the fear of flying? I HATE FLYING!!! 😀

 

[MJB]

Last I knew, alcohol was free on international flights like that...just get hammered.

😉

 

[sanford_w/o_son]

sacrifice health. i did 1.5 months on the cheap in the mid 90s: went in winter; slept in hostels, hotel rooms with 2 other friends, overnight trains and bus stations; ate mostly potato chips, cheese, and bread from grocery stores or cheap local fare; came back with a flu and only about 1500 - 2000 dollars out of my pocket. highly recommended.

 

[MaryWrathers]

Response to original poster

I backpacked through Europe for a full 3 weeks. The plane ticket cost around $500, the Eurail pass $500, hostels were $13-22 a night depending, and I ate at cheap places. My meals included hostel breakfasts, and my lunch and dinner mainly came from grocery markets. Pretty cheap and efficient. I washed my clothes in the sink and hung them to dry on the bunk bed rails. I brought non-touristy clothes b/c I wanted to "fit in." My trip pretty much cost me $1500 total. I visited France, Germany, Italy, Holland, and Switzerland. I arranged to visit Spain but they had a massive Eurail strike. I didn't have enough time to take the underwater train to Great Britain, and I plan on visiting far-eastern Europe in the future. I worked part-time to save the money. I had a blast and pics and videos to assist the memories. I forgot to mention that I slept on overnight trains sometimes while going to and fro.

On another trip to Russia I applied for a scholarship. My school paid for half. This time, I stayed in a hotel, yet hitchhiked and used the subway to get around. It was a memorable experience. A very unique country it is.

 

[Psychoanalyzed]

nice advice..but he can always go by ship..make it a cruise......get employed on the boat so you don't have to pay...lol