Should i go to Europe next summer and take out a $3000 student loan or not go and try not to get in debt?

Question

I am trying to decide if i want to go to Spain, France, and Italy with a friend and spend $3000. Or not go and save money and not take out any student loans.
Thank you for your help!

Answer 1

~Spend less and go to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Lictenstein. You don't need three grand, but you should go to someplace interesting.

Answer 2

Travel is the best education money can buy. You can read about France, Italy and Spain in a textbook, watch them on the Travel Channel, but nothing and I mean NOTHING takes the place of actually going and seeing things with your own eyes.

I lived in France for 6 months after graduating from college. I wouldn't trade that experience for 6 months working in a cubicle anyday. I actually found that the French are really nice people, and if you make the effort to speak French it goes a long way. The Italians are great too. I never made it to Spain but I am trying to figure out how to make it over there soon.

You live once.

Going to Europe will open your mind to so many things you can't even imagine right now. You will respect the diversity of this planet just a little more. You will appreciate things in this country that you never thought you took for granted. You will see things that are thousands of years old that our ancestors 20 generations ago thought were old. You will hear new music, try new foods and who knows, you might even fall in love - with a person or a place or both. You may never come back.

Even more important, the trip to Europe may actually inspire you to study something you weren't interested in before. Your entire life could change for the better because of your trip and if that happens the $3,000 loan is an investment. And besides taking out a student loan is much better than charging it on a credit card at 20% interest!!!

My point is... GO! Plan on $50 a day minimum if you go solo... you can do it for less if you travel with a friend or a small group. Stay in youth hostels, go to the markets and buy your food instead of always eating in restaurants.

Just beware that the Euro is stronger than the dollar and things like clothes and electronics and fast food and other "luxeries" are much more expensive. Gas is probably about $7.00 a gallon, so the cost of getting around will be higher no matter how you travel. Cover charges to popular night clubs can easily be $20 or more and drinks there can be $15 for a beer in some clubs. Stay away from the places that cater to tourists and go where the locals hang out and you will find prices in general are much lower.

Take it slower and your money will last longer - if you try to see everything in Europe in 2 weeks, you'll spend all your money on tickets. More importanly, don't go by eurorail it's a rip-off - overnight and long distance trips need a reservation, even with the pass and they charge a fee for that. Buy your long distance tickets when you get there - and if you end up buying the wrong one because you couldn't pronounce the city right, hey, it's an adventure right?

Travel by bus if you can, you'll meet lots of young Europeans instead of a bunch of other Americans - and its cheaper. Finally, try flying on Ryanair within Europe (www.ryanair.com). It's the Jet Blue of Europe and sometimes they have ticket promotions for 5 cents. (YES 5 cents!) And if you want to see a lot in a little bit of time, sometimes flying is the way to go.

Have a great trip and Bon Voyage!!!!! I wish I could go too!

Answer 3

You should definitely GO! The $3K (plus whatever interest) will be nothing when you start earning money as a young professional.
Use the time off you will have this summer and just travel and explore. When you are in the workforce you may have the money but you will find it very difficult to take such a nice journey at a leisurely place.
In addition, trips not taken are forgone opportunities that will never again arise in the same conditions.
Traveling is magical and the BEST learning opportunity available. Get that cash fast and enjoy Spain, France and Italy with your friend (BTW, very good choices if you are a first timer in Europe)

Answer 4

I'd say Go for it!! You are only young once, ENJOY! This may be once in a life time opportunity. Just stick to a budget, maybe stay at boarding room(s), I forget the word I'm looking for!! This would be a lot cheaper than hotels! Eat out once a day, and familiarize yourself with the grocery stores! That will help cut down on expenses! And you have a whole year in which to save for it! Host a few yard sales, pick up some odd jobs, or if you can afford it sock away $20-50 a week, and use next year's tax refund check towards expenses! Look into alternative loans/credit that won't be as overwhelming in the future. Above all...have a blast! Can I come??

Answer 5

You will learn so much during your travels. A 3000 student loan is not that high. You only live once, enjoy it and travel while you can. You have ten years to pay off the student loan.

Answer 6

Student Loans are the biggest monster you can take on. Really. That $3,000 loan can turn into $50,000 debt in 6 years if you can't make the payments.

Answer 7

I hate to be burdened with loans. As much as it sounds fun, I would postpone it till I have the money.

Answer 8

if you have the means to pay it back soon without so the intrest wont bulid, go for it! but if you cant afford it...europe isnt going anywhere.

Answer 9

Go!!! Go!!! Go!!!

Try to save as much as you can, but go! It's such a fun to travel when you're young.

Answer 10

well that depends on you...
you need to think about what it will bring you, and will you be able to survive if you go or not...
what do you expect from it, and if you go,can ou organize yourself to go there, if not, can you get help...