What a chaotic year it’s been. Almost everybody is quarantined and living a restricted life. It’s been an adjustment trying to accept that our new way of life is how we can help the world heal, but it’s been an especially strange transition for people like us, with strong traveler spirits, whose lives are defined by international journeys.
Social distancing at its finest.
Now, more than ever, we are navigating the internet to get a taste of travel. You may be finding your social media feeds filled with tropical beaches, mountains, lakes, deserts, and all those other dream destinations you’ve always planned on visiting.
This type of online traveling during self-isolation has been a great escape from the restrictions we are living under right now, and it’s also an indicator that we haven’t given up on the pursuit of meaningful travel.
The good news? Many of those meaningful travel experiences that you’re longing for can be had online! From teaching English, to learning a language, to finding internships, there’s a ton of online travel programs offering international experiences that can be had from the comfort and safety of your home.
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When can I travel again?
Anxiety has us wondering when we can travel again, and the true answer to that is — nobody knows. Not us, not the WHO, nor national governments. Even if COVID-19 outbreaks begin to ease, countries may still hesitate to open their borders for some time.
We truly don’t know how the travel industry will look after this, but we do know that we are still humans who long for travel, adventure, and international exploration. All we can do right now is hope and plan for a better post-coronavirus world.
But, if you need something a little more concrete and hands-on that may help you feel a sense of normalcy, you could always check out some cool online travel programs. One of these experiences may tide you over until we’re allowed back outside.
Are online travel programs worth it?
Online travel programs are here to save the day!
Meaningful travel is always worth it...even if it’s virtual! It’s an investment in your wellbeing. There’s nothing worse than spending your whole life without experiencing something that takes you out of your comfort zone, that shows you that there are other ways of thinking, and other ways of living life.
We should not let COVID-19 destroy our hopes for the future. Online travel has always been part of travel planning — and as it’s all we have for now, we might as well take advantage of it, right?
Online travel programs can do just as much for your self-growth as on-site programs, so if your travel hopes and dreams have seemingly been dashed this year, you should think about perusing virtual travel experiences.
8 ways to keep the spirit of travel alive — online
1. Get TEFL Certified
TEFL certification is one of the most worthwhile types online travel programs. There are many options online that can fit within your budget and into your schedule. This type of certification is required by most English teaching jobs abroad, so why not get a jump start on step one of being an international teacher?
The most common certification is 120 hours, which will introduce you to the practice of teaching and methods for teaching English as a second language. However, the most exciting part of this certification is that it also helps you to get teaching jobs in your home country and online.
It’s a win-win! You can practice your teaching skills online for the time being and then have tons of teaching experience on your resume before you go work abroad.
Programs to get you started:
2. Teach English
Teaching English online can help you save up for your next adventure.
Finding opportunities to teach English online is a good way to spend your time during quarantine. If you already have a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree, the online teaching world is your oyster. You’ll be able to pursue online teaching opportunities, and save money before your next journey abroad.
By teaching English online, you will be able to meet people from around the globe and experience different cultures while in the comfort of your home. You may even be able to participate in a language exchange. In fact, it’s a good way to research where your next travel destination will be!
Programs to get you started:
3. Learn a Language
Communication is a super power, and being understood should not be something we take for granted. Speaking a foreign language is beneficial in many ways. It makes it easier to travel and connect with people, and it makes you look more desirable to employers.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, learning a foreign language is a great way to make friends from around the world. With the free time quarantine has provided us, this is a great time to sign up for an online program for your language of choice. Who knows? You could even achieve fluency by the time we can travel again.
Programs to get you started:
4. Earn a Degree
This one is a big commitment, but since we’re not yet sure when college campuses will reopen, now may be the time to consider the possibility of earning a degree online. Online classes and courses continue to improve in quality and content year after year, and can be designed to best fit your goals.
You can choose from a vast number of class formats, or a combination of them to best fit your schedule and learning style. Pursue a degree that will further your career, or even in something you are passionate about but never had the time to explore.
Online degrees can cost less than living on campus (which means less student loans for you!) and they often offer much more flexibility than on-site classes. Not too shabby, right?
Programs to get you started:
5. Find a Job
Are you ready for that digital nomad lifestyle when the time comes?
Job opportunities during this time may feel limited, but online they’re booming. Now may be the perfect time to pursue that digital nomad lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. There are online opportunities in marketing, programming, and (of course) teaching, which will all endure throughout the self-isolation period.
These opportunities can help you make some extra money and save for travel later on, all while acquiring a new skill or using ones you already have. Even better? If you have a reliable laptop, you can keep your remote job for the long term, and practically get paid to travel the world once borders reopen.
Programs to get you started:
6. Get an Internship
Internships, whether paid or unpaid, are excellent opportunities for students or career-changers to build new skills and explore a new field. If you’re a high school or college student, or have recently found yourself in between jobs, online internships can help propel you into your next role.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to build professional relationships and network in the places you may want to be in later on. An online internship now might just translate to an on-site job later.
Programs to get you started:
7. Study
Don't have the time or finances to earn a full degree online? Take just a semester or a few courses online instead! Studying online will transform your on-site study abroad experience into a virtual one. That might not sound like as much fun, but it's actually a pretty sweet deal.
Many providers are trying to incorporate cultural components into their online curriculums so that you still gain those sweet, sweet intercultural communication skills. Plus, it's a lot more affordable than on-site study abroad! Possible online courses range across tons of fields, but it's 100% possible to participate in a program that can be tailored to meet your own education goals.
Programs to get you started:
8. Volunteer
Volunteering online is another exceptional way to engage in meaningful travel from home — especially during a time like this. Nonprofits all over the world are currently suffering from a lack of income and donations due to the economic downturn, and with on-site volunteers sent home, many duties are going left undone.
As an online volunteer, you can lend your skills in marketing, social media, tech, and more to organizations abroad that desperately need support. Plus, when it's time to go abroad again, you'll have a great excuse to visit your organization's home country!
Programs to get you started:
Talk to our Online Advisor (for FREE) and get matched with your perfect online program
More ways to plan your next trip
To keep your traveler spirit alive during self-isolation, there’s lots you can do! Take a minute a day to get inspired. Use these ideas to nurture your inner Indiana Jones:
- Make a travel dream board
- Read travel blogs
- Follow travel hashtags on Instagram
- Create a Pinterest board for travel inspo
- Sign up for an inspiring newsletter
- Read books or watch films about travel
- Cook international foods
- Watch travel vlogs on YouTube
- Download language learning apps
- Make a destination bucket list
- Research, research, research!
Hang in there — we’ll be back in the travel game soon
Keep your traveler spirit alive!
We know that now is a hard time, and we’re all struggling in one way or another. Sometimes it’s frustrating not knowing when this will all end — but it’s important to be responsible, to stay at home, and to stay as positive as possible. Hang in there.
Trying to be productive can be a helpful coping mechanism for many people, but it’s also important to not put too many expectations on yourself. After all, no one has ever dealt with an era like this in modern history.
Use this time to do things you haven’t had the chance to do, or the things you never had time for. More than anything, get inspired, make plans for the future, and make travel plans for when all of this is over. Don’t let the anxiety get to you — we’ll survive and be back in the travel game before you can imagine.
Your first trip abroad after this will be memorable, that’s for sure. So keep your travel dreams alive — and maybe even take some of them online.
Keep reading! Check out more articles about online travel programs →
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