Travel – The Independent Learner

How to Stay Engaged During Academic Breaks

Summer vacation, as most of us know it, or extended breaks from education, can cause students to regress academically. Whether you’re a student who follows a traditional academic calendar, or one who prefers to work more consistently throughout the year, there are things you can do on academic breaks to keep your skills sharp and ready for future studies.

Read often

Reading engages your mind in more ways than you may think. Not only does your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills expand – studies have shown that reading actually changes your brain activity and strengthens neurological connections. If it isn’t a current pastime for you already, consider regularly reading something that interests you to make it more enjoyable and habitual. Magazines, novels, comics, or even cookbooks are all fair game!

Continue to practice skills

While it’s probably the last thing you want to do while on a break from school, try practicing your skills during some free time. Whether that means solving some math problems, performing a science experiment, or reviewing old flashcards, practicing helps you retain information and will leave you better prepared for your future academic plans.

Get involved in community programs

Every community is different with many offering a variety of free or paid camps and programs for youth over the summer. Do some research to see what opportunities are available to you – chances are you may even make some friends along the way!

Pick up a new hobby

Starting a new hobby is a great way to explore your interests while stimulating your brain. Hobbies allow you to discover new things and think creatively while simultaneously helping you de-stress and learn time management. On breaks from school is the perfect time to begin a new hobby – so go do that thing you’ve always wanted to try!

Volunteer

Volunteering is another great experience that allows you to stay engaged mentally (and often physically) while also giving back. Nonprofits are constantly looking for volunteers, and helping an important cause is a great way to sharpen social and analytical skills. Not only this, but volunteering can boost your understanding of issues around you and has the potential to improve your college applications.

Travel

Traveling is known for its ability to foster cultural appreciation, self-awareness, and independence. Whether you decide to travel across the globe or take a weekend to explore an unfamiliar area nearby, traveling is a great way to fight academic regression. Try taking a trip with your family to a nearby museum, or take the opportunity to tour college campuses you may be considering. No matter where you go, you’ll be exercising your brain and ready to return to your studies refreshed and prepared.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, all these options are great opportunities to retain academic sharpness during breaks from school. No matter what you choose to do, know you’ll be doing your brain – and your body – a favor. UNHS is proud to offer courses 24/7/365, and this summer is the perfect opportunity to enroll in a course that interests you! Explore our course catalog of over 100 courses and find the one that’s right for you.

Have questions? You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, or by contacting us!

Travel Tips: When You Return Home

Charlotte-blog-small — Charlotte Seewald, UNHS Assistant Director

Your trip is now over, but don’t be too sad! Now you have fond memories to look back on, and I bet it also feels good to be home. Here are some things to keep in mind as you readjust to your home country.

Remember how you had jet lag when you traveled there? Coming home may be worse! While I hope you land and feel great, it is understandable if you feel tired, irritable, distracted as your brain and body readjust to the time zone.

Be gentle with yourself—most people need a day for every hour difference to be back to their normal energy level. So if you were in a country that was 10 hours different than your home it may take 10 days for you to adjust. It is a good idea to not have big projects or stressful agendas to work on the first week of your return. Also, let your family and friends know you need some time to “get back to normal”.

After a long trip home from Malaysia, I found myself crying over a TV commercial! My friend’s husband came home from a long trip and was a grouch for 2 days. Fair warning!

Now that you’re home, here are some things to do:

Store your passport in designated and secure spot for the next trip.
Review credit card charges to note any errors. Contact credit card companies to inform them you have returned.
Store electrical adapter where you can find them again.
Download photos, edit and share!
Sort through gifts and mementos you brought home to share now or later.
Reflect on your travel experiences and consider where you would like to go next!

Whether you are reading these tips before you travel to prepare yourself or are using the advice now, I hope you have a wonderful experience before, during and after you travel!

Travel Tips: While You Travel

Congratulations! Now that you’ve arrive at your destination, here are a few tips to help get your trip off to a good start.

Cash is always accepted! When you arrive in a new country, it is always good to have U.S. dollars on you. Get local money at an ATM or currency exchange location, and avoid getting it exchanged at the airport—they have the worst rates. It can be helpful to use a calculator or app on your phone to figure out the price of something in a specific currency.
If you’ve landed in a time zone that is five or more hours different than home, you may have jet lag. There are different theories on how to deal with jet lag, but it helps to try and jump into the local time and plan a not so strenuous first day. Eat and sleep on the local schedule. Here’s hoping you get a great night’s rest!
Remember you are always an ambassador of your country. Be courteous and respect the local culture. It may be tremendously exciting to visit a place, but may not be appropriate to do certain things. For instance taking photos, selfies, funny poses and gawking at new sights can sometimes make others feel awkward and less than respected.
It’s always a good idea to keep passport, money, credit cards, phone, camera, etc. close to you. Some people like money belts or a zippered pouch on a lanyard. Prevent potential problems by having items in a safe, locked pocket or bag. Also because of potential jet lag you may be more forgetful, so it’s good to have a designated place to find these items.

One more big things to remember: Just because you are in a world famous place doesn’t mean you have to do the “expected” tour. Often the most meaningful experiences are more personal. For instance, in Venice, you may find that the expensive gondola ride is eclipsed by rich gelato eaten in the beautiful sunshine.

Ask locals for advice and be genuinely open to new and different people, places, and cultures. You will make new friends and learn lots!

Travel Tips: Before You Go

Traveling is always very exciting, and I feel so lucky to be able to travel around the world each year to see old friends and make new friends on behalf of the University of Nebraska High School.

Having been in my role with UNHS for ten years, I’ve traveled abroad more than 50 times!

Here is what I’ve learned to help you prepare for your next trip overseas.

Make at least 2 photocopies of passport ID pages—one copy to stay at home and the other(s) to keep in your carry-on luggage or checked baggage. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will have the necessary information needed to get a replacement quicker.
Make 2 photocopies of your flight and lodging itinerary—one copy to leave with family or friend and the other to keep in carry-on luggage. If things get delayed or interrupted, you can be contacted.
Visit state.gov/travel/ to see updates about the countries you are visiting with:
- Travel alerts
- Visa requirements
- Currency limits
- Lots of other helpful information
Sign up here https://step.state.gov/step for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to be registered with nearest US Embassy and to receive alerts and contacts in an emergency
Add an app on your phone that allows you to text or call via Wi-Fi overseas. This saves money on international costs! Try the WhatsApp.
Check with your phone carrier about availability and cost of calling out of country. Don’t just rely on free Wi-Fi to communicate with friends and family.
- It may be more economical to buy a sim card or even not have the phone and enjoy time “off the grid”! One of my friends came home from a one week trip to $800 phone charges—he didn’t realize the costs of overseas phone service.

There are also a few things to keep in mind when it comes to luggage and packing.

Carry-on Luggage:

Keep one outfit in carry-on luggage in case your luggage doesn’t arrive with you.
Chargers and electrical adapters.
Important things such as contacts, glasses, inhalers and other products that you do not want to risk losing.
Small hygiene products, cosmetics, and snacks can mean a world of difference when things don’t go as planned!

Checked Luggage:

Contact airline to learn baggage fees and limits.
Narrow down clothing to essentials—you’ll appreciate having extra room for purchases you wish to bring home!
Bring only comfortable shoes – most likely you will be doing lots of walking.

These tips can help ensure that you’re informed and prepared for just about anything while you’re abroad.

So….ready, set, travel overseas!