Graduating from college is exciting! It is usually the time to start exploring your options in this world. You have your whole life to work, and traveling should be your go-to if you can afford to or budget properly. There is no better time to travel abroad than post-graduation.
Discover three compelling reasons why travel abroad post-graduation is a great plan. From gaining unique networking opportunities to learning how to travel on a budget, you will be packing your bags and booking flights in no time!
First, is Your Passport Ready to Go?
Travel abroad post-graduation! You should start planning right away. However, there are several elements to planning a trip abroad. Most young travelers understand the basics. You need a ticket, and you need a place to stay. Before you can get through TSA to your new destination, you’ll need one more thing. A passport.
Every U.S. citizen needs a passport book to travel internationally. If you already have a passport, see the expiration date on the personal information page. The great rule of thumb in the travel industry is ensuring that you have at least six months of validity on your passport. Many countries require it, including popular spots to travel to after graduation.
However, you may have yet to make concrete plans after your trip. You may want to extend your trip or decide to have found the country you want to live in. If you’re prone to making impulse decisions and are committed to traveling, you should make sure you have plenty of validity left on your passport. This will avoid complications with visas and returning to your country if necessary.
#1. Travel While You Have Less Responsibilities
Post-graduation is the perfect time to travel before you start utilizing your hard-earned degree. Although that may be a complex concept to grasp now, consider some of the facts before you decide to travel abroad post-graduation:
1. You likely do not have a spouse or children yet and can only think about your desires.
2. You may not be paying for a mortgage at this point or have a significant amount of monthly payments.
3. Often, your student loans (if you have any) have a grace period of at least 6-12 months, giving you time before those reoccurring monthly payments set in.
#2. Explore New Places on a Budget
You are probably on a budget if you travel abroad after graduation. While this may not seem favorable, it will give you a leg up later in life. Learning how to travel on a budget is a skill many wish they had. Traveling on a budget is not as limiting as you think either. There are places you probably would’ve only considered traveling to if money wasn’t a factor. This is how travelers discover pockets of communities and fantastic cultures they will carry with them forever.
When traveling, use your college ID, which offers discounts. When booking your trip, always inquire about student rates or perks! If you are traveling on a budget, we recommend staying in hotels or room-share locations like hostels.
If you need to start making money immediately after you graduate, there are ways to travel and do that simultaneously. Consider applying for jobs in a foreign country that leave you enough time to explore your new area—for example, teaching English abroad. You will have time to explore after classes each day, on weekends, and during school breaks.
If you like children, maybe you can go the Au Pair route, where you take care of a family’s child, or exchange languages for a place to stay. Want to give back and experience a new culture? Consider volunteering while you are abroad. Often, if you volunteer within smaller communities, they will offer you a place to stay. Volunteering is a unique way to see the world.
#3. Network & Prepare Yourself for the Career World
Travel abroad post-graduation to prepare yourself for your career. One of the most significant benefits of traveling is exposure to different people, personalities, and cultures. All these experiences help prepare you for a successful career. When you work, navigating a relationship with your new coworkers can be among the most challenging.
Consider your travels abroad a great way to prepare to meet many new coworkers at your first full-time job. International travel requires patience, kindness, and adaptation. The same goes for starting a career.
Try researching a few networking opportunities when you are traveling abroad. For example, local meetups for people in the industry you are trying to enter or events and conferences. Another great idea is to research internship opportunities abroad. This will not only help you learn the industry and gain real-life experience and look great on your resume when applying for jobs back home.
I Need a Passport. How Do I apply?
Although graduating college is an exciting time, it can also be overwhelming. Before you dive right into getting a full-time job, consider taking time to travel abroad first. Whether you want to enjoy your freedom before the ‘real world’ sets in or get some unique job experience on your resume, traveling might be the answer.
Before packing your bags, be sure you have your passport set and ready to go. Don’t let the expedited passport process discourage you from booking an incredible travel experience post-graduation.
How do you apply for a passport? It depends. You will either apply for a new passport or a passport renewal.
Applying for a New Passport
Apply for a New Passport if at least one of the following is true:
- You are applying for your first U.S. passport
- if your passport was issued when you were under 16 or if you are under the age of 16
- Your Previous U.S. passport expired more than 15 years ago
- Your Passport was damaged, lost, stolen
If you meet at least one of those statements, you must apply for your using Form DS-11. You will also be required to provide extra documentation and evidence to verify your identity. Remember, you must apply in person if you are applying for a new passport.
requirements include the following:
- DS-11 application form printed and filled out, but NOT signed ( You must have an employee witness your signature)
- Proof of U.S Citizenship ( a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- Proof of identity (a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- A passport photo that meets the U.S Department of State’s requirements for passport photos
- Payment: Post Offices will accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for acceptance fees, but you will also need a check or money order written out to the “U.S Department of State” that will be mailed out with your application.
Applying In Person
You must submit your application at a Passport Acceptance Facility to verify your identity. A Passport Acceptance facility is usually a Courthouse, Clerk of Court, Post Office, Library, University, or other municipal building.
A passport acceptance facility search page is on the U.S. Department of State website. The search engine lets you put in your zip code to find a place that does passports near you. The search page also has phone numbers, operating hours, and how to get an appointment (or if walk-ins are acceptable). It can also let applicants know if photo services are available on-site.
Are You Eligible for a Passport Renewal?
Not everyone may be eligible to apply for a passport renewal. It is essential to know if you qualify because if you don’t, you will have different forms and requirements.
1. Your passport must be in your possession to submit your application.
2. The passport must be undamaged except for regular wear and tear.
3. Your passport must have been issued at 16 or older. If you are under 16, you must apply for a new passport.
4. The passport must have been issued less than 15 years ago.
5. It was issued in your current name, or you can provide documents to affirm the name change.
If you meet all of these requirements, congratulations! You are eligible for a passport renewal.
Applying for a Passport Renewal
Post offices are the only way to renew a passport because you cannot apply for a passport renewal at a courthouse. You should make an appointment through their website or at a self-help kiosk. Remember that you may need more time to get an appointment because post offices receive many applications. Keep this in mind when planning a time-sensitive trip.
Fill Out Form DS-82
For a passport renewal, you must apply using Form DS-82. An online form filler can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Once the form is fully filled out, print it and sign it.
Prepare Your Application Documents
- You need to find your old passport, which will need to be sent in with your application
- Include name change documents, like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name change document.
- Calculate your fees. You can calculate your fees here. You must pay with a check or money order. It cannot be a business or third-party check. The check must be sent to the “U.S. Department of State.”
Take a Passport Photo
You must submit a passport photo that meets these requirements:
- Your passport photo must have been taken six months or less from the time you submit your application
- The dimensions must be in a 2” X2” format
- You must print the photo on glossy or matt paper
- Printed in color
- You must take your photo in front of a plain, white, or off-white background
- The photo may not be digitally altered
You should also avoid obstructing your facial features, like wearing glasses. Lighting and shadows play a big part in this. You can take your passport photo at a CVS, Walgreens, post office, or major grocer.
You should staple the photo to the application using four staples vertically in the corners. Try to get the staples as close to the outer edges as possible.
Sending in your Application
Now that you have all of your documents, you must put them in an envelope that will fill all of the documents without folding or creasing them. You should set the address to the location of your state.
Do You Need Your Passport Expedited?
If you want to travel abroad post-graduation but you want to leave immediately after graduation, you may need an expedited passport. To start, consider why exploring expedited passport services is a brilliant idea. For example, using a passport agency to help with the process means you need to worry about one less element of your trip. Plus, applying for a new passport and navigating the renewal process can be confusing.
The Passport Office is here to help. We offer customers expedited passport services in their offices located across the U.S., as well as online. The Passport Office has been helping American families seamlessly navigate the passport process for years. Schedule an appointment for expedited passport services in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Hollywood. We’ll make planning your trip a whole lot quicker!
