Features - Part 50

May 1, 2015 by The Young Leader

5 Must-Read Tips For Every Teen Visiting Mexico

Mexico is an amazing country, and it is one of the top vacation spots in the world—especially when spring break rolls around. It has a lively culture, beautiful beaches, and who can forget the delicious food? Seriously…the food will change your life. It’s that good.

But, as with any foreign country, traveling to Mexico requires a heightened sense of cautiousness, particularly for teens and college students who are visiting for spring break. Here are 3 must-read tips to remember:

1. Get An International Data Plan

International data rates are no joke. A few texts or calls could easily run your bill through the roof. Talk to your mobile carrier and sign up for a temporary international data plan to use while you’re out of the country. Your parents will thank you for not breaking the bank.

2. Learn The Basic Lingo

One of the trickiest parts of traveling abroad is the inevitable language barrier. So if you’re going to Mexico, then it’s important that you brush up on some very basic spanish terms, phrases, and questions. This will help you navigate your trip with confidence, and will also lead to a more meaningful experience if you’re able to converse with the locals. Here’s a list you can print out and keep with you on your trip.

3. Stick With Your Group

We all know getting lost sucks, but getting lost in a foreign country when you’re supposed to be having fun. . .now that’s just terrible, not to mention very dangerous. So, even if your friends or group members are doing one activity, and you want to do something else, just wait until you can all go together. Don’t ever isolate yourself or wander off alone—it’s just not safe.

4. Wear Sunscreen!

Your parents say it. Your tour guides say it. Heck, every travel article out there probably says it, but yet some people still don’t wear sunscreen when visiting Mexico. Listen folks, the sun in Mexico is much stronger and more intense than it is in the states, and that means you can get a bad sunburn in a fraction of the time. If you fry your skin to death on the first day, you’ll be miserable and in pain the rest of your trip, and nobody wants that. Get a strong SPF, and wear it. ALL. THE. TIME.

5. Bottles And Cans Only

Many visitors don’t realize that the tap water in Mexico, and subsequently the ice, is not always safe to drink. It’s kind of a gamble, really, because some folks can drink it and be fine, while others end up with food-poisoning-like symptoms. So the best thing to do is stick to bottled or canned water, sodas, tea, etc. Even if the price is a bit higher, it’s definitely worth it to know that your tummy isn’t headed for turmoil.

If you follow these five tips, and always remember that safety is the most important thing, you’ll have a blast in Mexico and you’ll be counting the seconds until you can return for a second visit!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

May 1, 2015 by The Young Leader

5 Things You Can (And Should) Do Your First Summer Before College

The summer after you graduate high school is a very special time. You’ve closed one chapter of your life, and you’re about to embark on the next—college. Many teens are so happy to finally have some time off that they just want to sleep or veg out for the summer. But, trust me, if you do that, you’ll regret it.

Take my advice, and make the most out of your summer, because once college starts, your life will be dedicated to school once again. Here are some fun ideas for your first summer before college!

1. Spend Quality Time With Friends And Family

If you’re going away to college, then the next time your friends and family will be all be together again probably won’t be until Thanksgiving, or even Christmas. So use this summer to pack in some quality time with the people you care about the most.

2. Travel Abroad

There are lots of programs out there that are designed specifically for teens and college students. If you’ve always wanted to travel abroad, but never had the time to actually do it, then the summer before college is the perfect time to take that journey.

3. Volunteer

Whether you volunteer for a local charity in your hometown, or a cause in another country, you’ll be fulfilled knowing that you volunteered your time and efforts to helping others.

4. Take Short Trips

Short trips are awesome because they don’t take a whole lot of planning, and the travel expenses are minimal compared to long vacations. So if there’s a city or landmark within a few hours of your house, then gather up some friends and go for a day trip.

5. Be Spontaneous

Spontaneity and summertime are one in the same, because the weather is nice, and there are always new and fun activities to try. You should certainly take advantage of this before you have to buckle down and hit the books in the fall.

There are tons of different things you can do the summer before college, but the most important thing to remember is that this time is precious and you don’t want to waste it. So get out there and have some fun—you’ll be so glad you did!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

May 1, 2015 by The Young Leader

Pre-Trip Checklist For Teens Studying Abroad

Going abroad sometime soon? Good for you! It’s a very exciting time, especially in the weeks before you embark on your journey. You’re nervous, excited, scared, and maybe even having second thoughts. But trust me, that’s just cold feet, and it’s completely normal.

You are leaving the country, and with that, you’re jumping out of your comfort zone. Don’t let your nerves get in the way — you’re going to have an amazing time, and there’s a good chance this trip may even change your life! So let loose, have fun, and make sure you follow the tried and true pre-trip checklist!

Make sure your passport is valid through the end of your trip
Make copies of your passport, driver’s license, and any other identification
Obtain travelers insurance if necessary
Make sure all paperwork and documents are signed and processed with your travel abroad program
If you’re taking classes abroad, make sure you’re enrolled and ready to start
Provide your parents and/or guardians with the name, address, and phone number of where you’ll be residing during your trip
Do not, and I mean DO NOT over-pack
Research the climate of your destination so you can be sure to bring appropriate clothes
Be 100% sure of what you are, and are not allowed to bring into the country (every country has different regulations)
Pack for comfort, not for style
Leave plenty of room in your luggage to bring home souvenirs, etc.
Get all required medical checkups, vaccinations, etc. before leaving the U.S.
Buy a journal so you can document your travel experiences
Purchase an international data plan for your cell phone
Schedule weekly calls or online chats with your friends and family back home – but don’t forget the time difference.

This checklist will help you out a lot, and as long as you’re prepare for your trip and all the amazing experiences you’re about to have, you’re good to go!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

May 1, 2015 by The Young Leader

5 Inspirational Movies Every Teen Should Watch

Great movies are like great books. They have the power to change you — the way you think, your aspirations, and your outlook on certain aspects of life.

Once you see a great movie, it resonates with you long after the final scene. Here are five inspirational movies every teen should watch, or in some cases, re-watch.

1. Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenage girl who lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing near her home in Hawaii. Everyone thought her dreams of becoming a pro surfer were crushed, but Hamilton proved otherwise, and she’s now one of the greatest and most respected professional surfers in the world. This movie shows us that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible, even against all odds.

2. Remember The Titans

Remember The Titans is another powerful true story about a high school football team at a newly racially integrated high school in the early 1970s. Viewers see firsthand the obstacles that the players and their families faced, and the ways they were able to overcome adversity.

From this movie, we are reminded of the overwhelming power of friendship and kindness even in the most trying of times.

3. Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting centers on a young man working as a janitor at the prestigious MIT. After jokingly solving one of the most difficult math equations in history, he becomes a protege, but his pent up anger and aggression constantly derail his progress because he thinks that he is not worthy of the great things that are happening in his life.

The most important lesson in this movie is that no matter where you’re from, or what your circumstances were growing up, you have the ability to do and be anything you want, as long as you set your mind to it.

4. Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society is a slightly older movie that most teens probably haven’t seen, and that is precisely why it’s on this list — because every teen should watch it. The movie is about a group of privileged teens at an all-boys boarding school, and they’re introduced to an unorthodox teacher who pushes boundaries, often to the school’s discontent.

This is a great movie with a valuable lesson — think for yourself, and never conform to the thoughts of those around you when your heart is telling you otherwise.

5. The Lion King

The Lion King is the greatest movie ever made. Yes, that’s a biased personal opinion, and you certainly don’t have to agree. However, there is no denying that this movie is quite powerful, especially when you watch it as a teen or adult. The cute lions and fun songs sort of fade away, and the life lessons become clear.

What we learn from this Disney classic is that, in order to truly understand yourself and what is right for you, you might need to get away for a while to explore the world, make new friends, and learn that the world is much bigger than you think. And even if you stray a bit from the path you’re expected to take, what’s meant to be will be — it just takes time.

My guess is that most teens have seen one, two, three, or maybe even all five of these movies. But, regardless of whether or not you’ve had the pleasure of viewing these great films, you should definitely take some time to watch them again, especially if it’s been several years since you’ve seen them. You’ll be glad you did!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

April 23, 2015 by The Young Leader

High School Traditions Teens Shouldn’t Miss

As your high school experience comes to an end, you’re probably frantically trying to piece together where your next chapter begins. It’s nerve wracking, it’s frightening, and it’s probably one of the biggest decisions you’ve ever made in life. While it’s important to focus on where you’re going next, don’t get distracted and forget to enjoy the moments you are in.

Senior year brings together many memorable experiences that shouldn’t be missed or distracted from including Homecoming Week, Prom, and especially Graduation. You may have seen the same faces for the last four years, some even since middle school or elementary, so spending more time together during high school traditions may seem repetitious, but truly it’s very important to stay connected.

These are some of the moments you will remember throughout your lifetime- and might even be a reason to spark up conversation during your 10 year reunion! Unlike the strict energy of school, during these moments you get to unwind, have fun, and will truly get to know one another. You might think you know everything about everyone you pass in the hallway, but you don’t, and by taking advantage of these traditions, you might even make a new friend that you thought you knew all along.

Homecoming week starts off the reality that most of these familiar faces will merely be memories after a few short months. It’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with one another and see how many acquaintances you can make friends before the upcoming year is over. The more you connect with people, the more life experience you add to your resume, and that is worth more than staying silent in your comfort zone.

Prom is another experience that shouldn’t be missed. There’s too many reasons not to go, but the bottom line is this is the last round of fun you have with the students in your class. Even if you go to be a wall flower, you made the effort to make an appearance and experience what the hype is all about. When you are 40, you won’t be regretting “that one time you went to prom.” Instead, you might be giving your own kid a pep talk about why it was one of the best nights of your life because an unforgettable speech was given or your high school crush asked you to dance.

Graduation is definitely the top tradition not to miss out on. It’s not just a walk across a stage for your family and friends, it’s for you. It’s a confident strut to confirm the hard work and obstacles you have overcome as a young adult. It’s a walk to start the beginning of your transition to adulthood. It’s a moment to congratulate yourself for all that you’ve done and that you do. Take it and run with it, not literally, but figuratively. Decorate your cap, perfect your walk, even your wave, and be proud of everything you have done to get on that stage and accept your diploma. It’s your moment to shine.

After your high school traditions are over, you will be looking back on your memories over many years. You’ll remember how sweet and simple life seemed before you stepped into the fast pace of the world, grateful to have traditional high school memories to share with friends and family.

Contributed by Barbara Beran