A Perpetual State of Travel

You've "amassed" roughly $2000...

Has it ever occurred to you that the most difficult aspect of your idea may not be psychological but financial? Just how do you plan to earn a living in a foreign country without a degree and with very difficult visa prospects? Do you have specific skills that come in handy?

Perhaps you've misjudged the people of this branch. Most of us aren't bumming around the world endlessly and aimlessly. We are living and working in other countries, with emphasis on working.

The problem with this style of travel is you have to remove yourself for society. You will have to camp outside town. You will have to self-cook/eat ready made. You will do a lot of walking. You will not meet any other travellers or locals. You are all but condemning yourself to a hermetic life.

$2,000 is nothing. It will pay for the initial airfare (depending on where you're starting). Then, with no emergency money, you're screwed if something goes wrong or you just don't like it.

I would recommend finishing college. Then your prospects will increase significantly.

No degree and $2000? I can't see it working out well.

I recommend backpacking Europe for kids in their second year of college.

Its a mind opener. It could change the focus of the remainder of college.
Exposure to the real world, not just fancy hotels and skimming itennerarii.

Go for what you can learn and absorb. Talk at length with locals.(the pearl is often in the "oh by the way..." at the end. Hear 'em out. Learn a different way of approaching ideas.

I also think the idea of day trips is wasted.

*see profile.
We are legion.

Apply for a working student visa. Jobs supply friends and time to absorb.
You'll make only survival money, so get a job b4 you need one.

The people we work with are the best part of it. They're from elsewhere too. Another bonus.
ç(;oD>

I too wanted to just perpetually travel (and still do!) but money is the problem in the equation if you simply don't have. I joined the army in my young days to travel, then graduated college enduring very lean years at home, and did some teaching in Korea in order to travel some more. South East Asia by far offers the most interesting budget conscious destinations, but visas are limited even if you do have enough money. 30 days in Indonesia and Thailand really isn't enough for me when it's only $10 a night for your own room in the most fascinating tropical country. 60 days visas are possible too, but still that's only 60 days. Teaching visas offer much more time abroad, but it's a full time job teaching kids which pays too very little in most countries except Korea, the KSA, Oman, and Qatar. Teaching usually requires a 4 year degree so you need to finish school to get that job. If money weren't an issue, we'd just perpetually travel and enjoy life instead with no worries about work, career, and finances. Some privileged people actually do have it like that, but most of us have to put in 48 to 50 weeks a year at a job to save up for enjoying vacation. I remember I was so angry and down on myself when I was 19 to 25 over simply lacking finances to the point of struggling to pay rent and eat. It gets better later on, but you'll always be plugging at it unless the big break comes through somehow. I still only get the cheapest air tickets and dorm rooms.

Edited by: asiaeslbound

I honestly wish I could finish college. But I've run out of money, and lost a big scholarship, meaning to continue school would mean debt. I simply refuse to go into debt for any purpose at all. I love dearly my experiences from college, and everything I've learned thus far, but I will not fall into the debt hole.
That said, this wouldn't be some luxurious excursion. I saw one man above write "that wouldn't even cover airfare"... There wouldn't be any flying. This would be walking 25-35 miles daily, and camping every night. I live in the middle of New York State's Adirondack mountains, I would walk out of my cabin and head west. My only expense would be food, and, supplemented with foraged foods like Dandelion and Plantain, that are prolific in all of North America, I could sustain myself on $10-12 a week. Less if I was in the city, where the dumpsters are full and free. Lodging, when not able to camp, would be covered by couchsurfing and seasonal employment.
I would, for the first two years or so, remain on my home continent of North America. Essentially travel on "easy mode", because cultures here are known to me, I have friends all across the US and Canada, and I know the flora and fauna. Eventually, I'd work my way into South America, after I found employment and recharged my finances.
As far as employment goes, I've worked on farms for my whole life, and I'm also PSIA certified (professional ski instructors of America), which is internationally recognized. One of my old friends at the last mountain I taught at said he used to make bank teaching lessons in English in the Swiss alps, I assume I could run a similar rig.
It seems all about resourcefulness.

When you try to leave the Americas, visas and money become THE ISSUE.
In todays world,your chances in securing work visas with out a four year college degree or a certified trade are non-existent!
Visa runs, even in SEA, have become the exception, not the norm!

My only expense would be food, and, supplemented with foraged foods like Dandelion and Plantain, that are prolific in all of North America, I could sustain myself on $10-12 a week. Less if I was in the city, where the dumpsters are full and free</i>.

Ok, so you want to become a bum? Which is pretty much the reality of what it is you are seeking.

Grow up.