Don’t Break the Bank! Treat Yourself While Traveling
Bridget Simpson, a seasoned traveler who has visited 17+ countries, shares her expertise on how she consistently prioritizes travel! Bridget talks about how she was introduced to international travel, budgeting tips, and dealing with a language barrier.
Bridget grew up in a family of avid travelers “[m]y dad was a world backpacker, and my mom was an exchange student. They placed a lot of importance on international travel and made sure once I graduated high school I was able to do the exchange in Belgium. And of course, then I fell in love with it.”
For large group activities, Bridget recommends, “having no set destination.” This flexibility allows you to find a place that suits everyone. Her biggest travel trip? Establishing priorities: “It’s about priorities. You are going to end up spending money on something. It's just deciding what you do. When I went out to the bars, I never got a drink [at every place]... My priority is being there to spend time with people. You have to figure out what brings you the most joy that is worth spending money on versus what you can skip out on.” Using these techniques, Bridget makes the most of her time as she jets off from place to place, making memories and connections wherever she goes!
Bridget spent a year abroad in Berlin where she perfected her travel strategies, from budgeting to organizing group trips. She and her friends explored Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam, even taking a 13-hour bus ride to Berlin. For budgeting, Bridget handled all of the expenses herself, “ all of my travel I paid for by myself. When I was backpacking around, that was from saving up during COVID when I was working full time.” After traveling the world Bridget has picked up a few tricks and found what works best for her. Bridget’s travel philosophy balances preparation and spontaneity. “I like to have the transportation and accommodation figured out but then nothing else figured out. I like to wander.”
Most recently Bridget traveled to Morocco. She found it equally challenging and rewarding, commenting that “[i]n Morocco, it was harder, everyone spoke Arabic and French because it used to be a French colony. But you can still get around you just have to get more comfortable with sign language and embarrassing yourself a little bit… People are so friendly and excited. They want to practice their English, or they want to teach you some of their language. It’s never as much of a problem as you think it would be.”
Exploration and education are at the top of Bridget's list when she visits a new spot and interacting with locals is key! She advises to “approach it with curiosity and not try to change or influence anyone’s opinion… You’re not going to be able to create connections with people if you’re trying to change their minds about certain things.” Bridget finds that some of the best travel experiences start by connecting with the people around you.
