Darren YeohTravelling the world after your graduation is one of the most memorable experiences. That is a statement that most avid travellers in the workforce would agree with. After all, you’ve just completed your studies after years of hard work, and graduation is a milestone worth celebrating.
But before you advance from one season in life to another and start building your dream career path, now is the time for you to relax and enjoy your carefree post-study days. And what better way to do that than to plan the perfect graduation trip? Not sure where to begin? No sweat, because here’s a list of helpful tips to get you started that will make all the difference when you hit the road.
Deciding on your dream destination
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Picking a destination for your graduation trip sounds like the easiest thing to do, and popular destinations like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea often come to mind. However, there’s no need to rush into making a decision based solely on what’s trending on social media.
What makes a graduation trip special isn’t just the fact that you’re travelling (you can still do that even after entering the workforce), it’s that your post-study days are when you have the most freedom to travel without being bound by workplace responsibilities and time constraints. And, if you’re travelling with your buddies, it may well be your last grand adventure together before everyone gets busy with adult life.
So, take the time to plan your graduation trip around what excites you the most. Whether it’s immersing yourself in a temple stay in Kyoto, hopping between tropical islands in Phuket, or hiking up Hallasan in Jeju, your graduation trip is the ideal time to do it.
What’s more, if you’ve ever thought of doing something meaningful on your graduation trip, such as community service or volunteering abroad, your graduation trip affords you the best opportunity to do so. Who knows, you may even discover a new passion on your travels.
That said, you’ll also want to consider factors like weather (avoid travelling during the rainy season), peak or low travel periods (to avoid tourist crowds), and any personal commitments you might have. It’s also important to plan your graduation trip based on your budget.
Planning with a realistic budget
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One key tip for planning your graduation trip is to start budgeting early — remember that the size of your travel party will also affect your budget. If you have your eyes set on embarking on an epic post-study holiday, you should start setting aside money in advance so that you will have enough to turn those travel plans into reality.
Depending on the destination and duration of your graduation trip, look up the estimated daily cost of transportation, accommodation, meals, and activities. Then, craft an itinerary with a realistic budget that allows you to treat yourself to an unforgettable getaway without plunging yourself (or others around you) into a sticky financial situation before you even start working.
There are several things you can do to save money. For one, you can choose to travel during the shoulder season when there are fewer tourists. Prices for certain attractions during this time are usually lower, and some of them even offer student discounts to visitors with a valid student ID. You can save money on food by indulging in street food at a market or takeaway spot as opposed to splurging on an expensive meal in a restaurant.
In addition, look for budget-friendly options when booking your accommodation — a youth hostel or shared rental is often easier on your wallet than a fancy hotel. Consider using travel aggregators like DBS Travel Marketplace to compare prices and to keep an eye out for discounts and promos.
Choose to prioritise experiences over material indulgences. After all, you can always buy a fancy Swiss watch later in life, but you’ll never be as young and energetic as you are now to go skiing in the Swiss Alps or skydiving over the beautiful town of Interlaken. So, a good idea for your graduation trip is to allocate more budget to things you can do that can create life-long memories, rather than things you can buy.
Staying safe on your graduation trip
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An underrated tip for planning a memorable graduation trip is to simply stay safe. Whether it’s your first time travelling overseas or if you’re a seasoned globetrotter, it’s always a good idea to do some prior research to understand the relevant safety information of the destination you’re visiting.
This includes looking up local customs and laws, even if you think you are already aware of them — you don’t want to land yourself in a difficult situation due to a misunderstanding. For example, did you know that Amsterdam has a strict law that prohibits the consumption of alcohol in most public places? Or that there are strict regulations to adhere to when it comes to flying drones in Japan?
In addition, it’s always a good idea to have emergency contacts on hand in case you need help. Apart from local emergency services, you should take note of the number of the Singapore embassy. You can also eRegister your travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in case there is a need for assistance in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
Taking care of your health is another important thing when embarking on your graduation trip. It’s good to be in the know of any potential health risks in the destination you’re visiting and to take appropriate precautionary measures (such as getting a flu vaccine). Also, pack some general medication or a basic first aid kit, just in case.
Before departing for travel, it’s recommended that you purchase a good travel insurance plan. The DBS TravellerShield Plus offers a wide range of coverage, including trip postponement or cancellation, travel delays, overseas medical expenses, loss or damage of personal property, and more. It even covers Frequent Flyer Miles or Hotel Loyalty Points lost in case of trip cancellation.
While some travellers choose to skip this vital step in the trip-planning process, getting good travel insurance helps you travel with peace of mind. Not only does it protect you against a variety of unforeseen circumstances, but also mitigates any financial impact these circumstances may cause. When choosing your policy, pay attention to the coverage for emergency medical expenses. Note whether it covers the costs of medical evacuation or repatriation for transport to a medical facility in the case of serious illness.
When it comes to travel insurance, remember to read through any fine print and exclusions which are detailed in the policy wording document. If your itinerary is packed with daredevil activities (skydiving and bungee jumping, for example), ensure that your insurance plan includes coverage for adventurous activities or extreme sports.
Other helpful tips for planning a graduation trip
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Apart from the tips above, there are also a few other things to take note of when planning your graduation trip.
First, before deciding on your destination, make sure to check if there are any visa requirements or if there are any pre-arrival documents you need to submit, such as South Korea’s K-ETA for visa-free countries. Speaking of travel documents, to minimise the risk of losing your passport, make physical and digital copies of it and bring those along when you’re out and about while you leave the original copy somewhere safe.
To avoid forgetting anything important, you can make a list of things to pack for your graduation trip and follow that. You’ll be surprised how often people, even seasoned travellers, forget to pack certain essential items. Remember to check the weather forecast of the country you’re visiting so you bring clothes that are suitable for the climate.
If you foresee relying a lot on internet connectivity to get around (be it for navigation, translation, or looking up information abroad), then consider either getting a travel sim or data roaming package to fit your budget. Plus, if it’s going to be your first time abroad alone, it’s a good idea to keep in contact with your loved ones to let them know you’re safe.
What’s more, an important travel tip that many people forget (even though it may seem obvious) is to ensure you have enough time to get to the airport for your flight. Take into consideration check-in times, luggage drop, immigration etc. Keep in mind as well that transport systems differ from country to country, so it’s always best to ensure you head out early so that you have a buffer just in case there are delays or you get caught in traffic.
Managing money while on your graduation trip
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When embarking on your graduation trip, make sure that you bring sufficient cash with you. If you don’t like hanging on to too much cash, opt to use a debit card.
One convenient way to do this is through the DBS Travel Wallet. All you have to do is link your DBS Visa Debit Card to your multi-currency account (MyAccount or Multiplier Account) as the primary debiting account. This allows you to access the 11 different currencies and spend them with zero foreign exchange conversion fees.
Before your trip, secure the exchange rates when they are favourable by making a currency exchange through your DBS digibank app. Remember to make sure you have enough foreign currency in the respective account for your spending amount to be debited.
This way, not only can you get up to 5% cashback, but you can also set spending limits so you don’t accidentally exceed your budget.
While we’re on the subject of money, a practical tip for planning a trip with friends is to either keep a shared travel fund or use an app like Splitwise to split your bills. This can massively help reduce potential friction over money.
Finally, to ensure a better travel experience, it’s best to discuss your expectations before leaving, as some may be looking forward to experiences that are widely different from others. For example, while some travel buddies might be looking forward to plenty of hiking and outdoor activities, others may be imagining a more relaxing trip filled with cafe-hopping and leisurely strolls in the city.
Final thoughts
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A graduation trip is usually that one trip that you’ll look back on most fondly as you progress to your next stage in life. Hopefully, with these trip-planning tips, you can make your dream graduation trip a reality with minimal fuss.
Brought to you by DBS
