The Young Leader

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5 Travel Adventures Teens Will Enjoy Just as Much as Adults

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There are many ways to go about traveling. Many ideas that adults throw out there for traveling may sound unappealing at first; but if you can do something like these five ideas below, you are bound to enjoy it just as much as an adult.

Connect with the great outdoors. Whether you are going on a guided tour or exploring on your own, getting out in nature is something that is fun for everyone. Consider exploring the Outback in Australia and seeing kangaroo hop across the desert and finding spiders the size of your hand. Also, a backpacking trip into the wilderness where you can scale challenging mountains or traverse long plains can be so enjoyable. Even an organized safari in a place like Africa will be exciting for you and everyone you are with.

Pack up for a cross-country road trip. The United States is massive and has an enormous amount of diversity in people and scenery. Hitting the open road means you’ll be challenged along the way, laugh at the inevitable mistakes you make, and be amazed at the interesting places you find. The great thing about cross-country trips is that they are enjoyable with friends or family.

Give back by volunteering. One of the most rewarding travel experiences is volunteering in another place. You may or may not think you have enough life experience to share with other people, but volunteering is about passion and a desire to give back. You can express this passion by teaching people English abroad or taking care of precious and threatened animals in a country like Costa Rica. Consider volunteering abroad, whether it is for 2 weeks or 2 months.

Relax on a cruise. Who doesn’t love chocolate covered everything at the buffets! Although cruises are very prearranged and organized in advanced, they can still offer a lot of spontaneity because of the variety of things offered aboard ship. Also, there are excursions offered off the ship while docked; these include fun things like snorkeling, rafting, horseback riding, or zip-lining.

Immerse yourself in the culture. There is something incredible about meeting people from new places. When you go to Peru, you’ll meet the locals, descendants of the Incas, who live on the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca. When you go to Jordan, you’ll meet the locals Bedouin people and partake in their famous group camping trips in the desert. Although other cultures may seem so different, traveling and meeting them can teach you that the essence of people is good.

Contributed by Kristin Melody

 

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10 Items You Never Want to Forget Before You Travel

“I forgot my______!” A phrase I’m sure we’ve all caught ourselves yelling out after hours and hours of travel. Nothing is more valuable than your time and comfort, especially when on the move. So, to save you some valuable time and comfort during travel; here’s a list of ten items you never want to forget before traveling.

  1. Portable USB battery – It’s easy to get caught up in the sights and culture of the areas you’re traveling to and forget to charge your electronics. A USB battery is perfect for travel as it adapts to almost any charger base and can fit easily into a front pocket or backpack.
  2. Destination List – Listing your destinations and their distances can help you efficiently group your excursions, saving you both time and money as traveling any distance can run up the toll on your time abroad.
  3. Carry-on clothing – You never know when the airlines are going to make that monumental mistake and loose your luggage. Plan ahead and pack a few outfits in your carry-on.
  4. Exercise clothing – Be sure to bring your exercise clothing if you plan on getting some reps in at the hotel gym or getting a few miles under your belt before hitting your destinations.
  5. Toiletry bag – Having a toiletry bag not only keeps all your toiletries in the same place, but also keeps them from getting all over your other luggage. Just don’t forget to watch out for the limits on those liquids when carrying them on board.
  6. Power Converter – Most of us don’t consider living standards in other countries, even when traveling to them. You’re going to need a power converter almost anywhere outside of the United States.
  7. A Book – It never hurts to pack some light reading material to pass the time on your flights. Stuff happens, especially to our technology. It always helps to have a non-electronic form of entertainment to rely on when your tech dies and you’re stranded.
  8. Phone – Most people are so used to having their phone on them that they automatically assume they have it. Always double check for your phone before leaving for the airport. Who knows when you’ll realize it’s missing?
  9. Headphones – everyone loves music, but you can’t exactly blast you phone speakers for clear, high definition music at the airport. Never forget your headphones, unless you enjoy background noise at the airport.
  10. Glasses (both) – If there’s one thing you don’t want to forget when traveling, it’s your ability to take in the beautiful sights of the amazing countries you are visiting. Even if vision correction isn’t necessary for you, don’t forget those sunglasses.

Contributed by Joshua Schwartz

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5 Must-Read Tips For Every Teen Visiting Mexico

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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

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Pre-Trip Checklist For Teens Studying Abroad

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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!

  1. Make sure your passport is valid through the end of your trip
  2. Make copies of your passport, driver’s license, and any other identification
  3. Obtain travelers insurance if necessary
  4. Make sure all paperwork and documents are signed and processed with your travel abroad program
  5. If you’re taking classes abroad, make sure you’re enrolled and ready to start
  6. Provide your parents and/or guardians with the name, address, and phone number of where you’ll be residing during your trip
  7. Do not, and I mean DO NOT over-pack
  8. Research the climate of your destination so you can be sure to bring appropriate clothes
  9. Be 100% sure of what you are, and are not allowed to bring into the country (every country has different regulations)
  10. Pack for comfort, not for style
  11. Leave plenty of room in your luggage to bring home souvenirs, etc.
  12. Get all required medical checkups, vaccinations, etc. before leaving the U.S.
  13. Buy a journal so you can document your travel experiences
  14. Purchase an international data plan for your cell phone
  15. 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

 

 

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Five African Countries That Shouldn’t Be Missed

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Rise and shine! Have you ever wanted to wake up to an epic sunrise? Or take an astonishing trek through tropical rainforests, rippling dunes, jagged mountains, and lush highlands?

Africa, with all its beauty and personality, inspires an ecstatic state of childlike wonder. As the natural birthplace of civilization, it’s accentuated by a rich, diverse culture. And there’s so much more.

For you all you motivated adventurers and passionate volunteers, we present you with 4 African Countries that Shouldn’t be Missed:

  1. Ghana
  2. Egypt
  3. Tanzania
  4. Madagascar

Ghana

The heart and soul of any country lies with its people. Many of you aspiring college students will have the good fortune of rooming with an international student. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a fantastic roommate from Ghana, and he loves talking about home. Building real relationships with natives can help make any traveling experience much more meaningful and authentic.

What Charles (my roommate) goes on and on about, besides soccer and the latest Chief Keef Album, is how delicious Ghanaian food is.

So if you ever plan to visit Ghana, definitely sample the local cuisine and perhaps even volunteer to help prepare it!

Egypt

You have probably heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. What you may not know is that Dubai is actually building life-size replicas of all seven in their Falconcity of Wonders by 2220.

If you want to see the only wonder still standing today, then be sure to check out the Pyramids of Giza.

Tanzania

Now that you’re completely stuffed with Ghanaian food and blown away by seeing the pyramids firsthand, I personally invite you on a hiking trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

This is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and certainly the highest in Africa. If you’re up for the rigor and adventure, then consider this as your once-in-a-lifetime challenge. If hiking up gigantic mountains isn’t really your thing, then you can still check out the view from Moshi town as you can see below. You can sip your cold beverage in complete leisure as those silly people go running up mountains.

Madagascar

The beautiful rainforests, colorful and lavish plant-life, and the unique variety of animals are plenty of reasons to check out this island country.

If nothing else, visit it because there are lemurs (you know you want to!).

Contributed by Nick Fochtman

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