We’ve all seen the Eiffel Tower, New York City, the Great Wall, and the Amazon Rainforest, even if we’ve never been there. Thanks to the all-seeing Google and the all-sharing Instagram, we can piece together an online collage of beautiful travel experiences that spans the entire globe.

However, a few gaps still remain, specifically around lesser-traveled destinations that are smothered by the competition of tourist-hogging hotspots.

Studying abroad in the U.S. can feel like a rush of new opportunities, challenges, and experiences packed into a short amount of time. Before you start your next semester abroad, here are 5 practical tips that will help you prepare for the situations that you may encounter during your time in the U.S.

It’s not about the destination. It’s about the organization. With thousands of programs to choose from, millions of dollars in scholarships given annually, and hundreds of destinations to visit, studying abroad has never been more readily available. The opportunities are endless!

If you’re interested in studying abroad, check out our top 21 study abroad organizations to discover which program fits with your international education expectations. 

"Do I need travel medical insurance?"

That’s the big question on every traveler’s mind. While some appreciate investing in the extra coverage, others feel travel medical insurance is unnecessary.

Travel medical insurance is designed to provide international coverage for various medical costs associated with injuries, illnesses, evacuations, and other emergency situations.

Volunteering abroad can provide invaluable personal and professional experience.

However, your volunteer abroad venture will likely require some careful budgeting, even if you are receiving a stipend or some form of compensation.

Check out these six tips for picking a location, setting a budget, finding grants and scholarships, and getting advice from those who have already served as volunteers overseas.

Ecotourism is defined as tourism of exotic, endangered environments usually to support conservation efforts and research developments. Usually, the ecosystems of these places have little to no interaction with human society, providing scientists with valuable biological information and tourists with breathtaking experiences. However, some critics consider ecotourism to be unethical and more detrimental than regular tourism.

Before you book your next adventure, check out the following pros and cons to understand ecotourism's full impact on the environment and local communities.

If you’re an adventure seeker looking for a genuine travel experience or a professional interested in developing your career, you should consider working abroad.

Working abroad provides an amazing opportunity to sightsee, learn about different cultures, develop new skills, build career paths, and network with international organizations while getting paid.

Check out these 28 websites to help you start searching for international work that fits best with your travel desires and job expectations.