I hear so many people around campus talking about how they're going to travel the world and see all these places and gain all these new experiences, all before they're 25. They talk about the constant moving and the exotic destinations without even considering one thing - there is absolutely no way to pay for it all.

I have too fallen victim to the travel chatter. A few months ago I got wrapped up into a conversation with my friend about how awesome a trip to northern Europe would be. We talked about the people, the parties, the hot springs, and after about an hour of our muses decided to go through with it. Now, I was anticipating a rather steep cost, but I made a point to search online through the cheapest of the cheap; coach airline tickets, low class hostels, budget train and ferry rates, cheap food, the best low-cost sights and attractions. We would be living with the bare-bones necessities, and nothing more.

Even then, the cost blew my mind. The cheapest round trip plane ticket to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, or Iceland? Nothing under $800. Once we got there, the train would be about $700 for a 15-Day pass, plus another €400 give or take for the ferries. The very cheapest hostels were all around €20 a night, which would be about $500 for the trip. Add in all the other expenses and calculate the weakness of the dollar and we'd be looking at a pounding on my bank account of close to four thousand dollars. Ouch. So much for bare-bones.

How can students like me experience the world when we really don't have any consistant source of income (or a daddy with a fat checkbook)?

That's where the student homestay comes in. Host families all around the world are willing to let travel-craving students stay in their houses at no cost than a few hours a week of work - like teaching English, tutoring, gardening, chores, and anything else of the like. Unlike an ordinary vacation, you're completely immersed in the foreign culture, which will accelerate your learning and acclimation rapidly. Plus, you always have a "home" to go back to if you need it, as your host family will be extremely helpful and supportive in your adjustment.

A homestay is the ideal situation for a student who is going to be soon looking for work - the experience abroad will boost your resume enormously, and even furthermore if you become fluent in another language. If you can't find a job in the U.S. with the economic downturn, you are likely to have more luck in another country. Native english-speakers will find a high demand for their abilities in areas with strong American business relations.

Even if you only want to stay for a short time, a homestay is a much more immersive and economical option than a normal vacation. You will find new worlds of culture and engage in everyday interaction with new, diverse people, giving you an experience that you will enjoy tremendous personal growth, and look back on as a fantastic time in your life.

Did I mention the housing is free?