UB graduate student and avid traveler Benjamin Breault taught students how to tour the country on a dime this past Tuesday at the Travel USA workshop.
Breault, a Hostelling International representative, has been able to experience historical and cultural centers of the United States such as New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia on a college student's budget by staying in hostels rather than hotels.
According to Ellen Dussourd, director of International Student and Scholar Services, the event's sponsor, most students are familiar with the idea of staying in hostels in Europe, but are unaware that there are numerous hostels in the United States, as well.
The workshop was geared towards making travel easier for international students who might otherwise be stuck on campus, but equally benefited domestic students who want to experience their country.
"The workshop is for anyone who wants to travel the US on a shoe-string budget," Dussourd said. "International students, not unlike US students, do not have the means to travel and stay in expensive hotels. The workshop provided tips for international students so they can explore the US."
The workshop focused on hostels in the US managed by the non-profit organization Hostelling International (HI), which manages about 4,000 hostels world-wide and has a number of hostels in North America, primarily across the east and west coasts.
Breault explained that staying in hostels could significantly decrease travel costs. In New York City, a hotel stay can cost over $100 per night, while staying in a hostel costs about $40 per night. In Boston, hostels cost about $29 per night, he said.
Although students were interested in lowering traveling costs, cleanliness and safety in hostels were a concern.
According to Breault, HI hostels are a safe bet since the companies that the organization manages are required to meet safety and cleanliness standards to remain members of HI.
"If you've stayed in any university dorm, you can handle staying in a hostel," he said.
As for the security of personal belongings, Breault was frank.
"Your camera, passport, money: that stuff is always with you. The rest of your stuff is just dirty clothes," he said. "Nobody wants your dirty clothes."
Breault recommended doing research on how travelers have rated the hostels.
"I've never gone wrong by following the recommendations in hostel reviews," he said. "The best source of information is taking other travelers' advice."
Travelers cannot always be sure of what they will find when they walk into a hostel, but if they are outgoing, open-minded and willing to talk to new people, the experiences will be invaluable, according to Breault.
"It's not always going to go right. You're not always going to be comfortable," he said. "But you're going to have experiences that you would never have if you stay in a hotel."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
