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Travelling On Student Wages: Expectations Vs Reality

Travelling around on student wages is tough, there's no denying it. You basically have no money, every cent needs to be accounted for and what the hell even is impulse buying? Here's travelling on student wages, the expectations versus reality:

1) Eating out.

Expectations:

I'm gonna try all the amazing, five-star restaurants while I'm here because I want to bask in the culture and tradition of this beautiful country. Tasting menus all round please.

Reality:

McDonalds again today, yeah?

2) Accommodation.

Expectations:

Oh my God I found the most incredible hotel, seriously. It's like, so cheap and has amazing lake views, and it looks so tropical. You're gonna be thanking me in the months to come.

Reality:

Check the address again...

3) Nightlife.

Expectations:

I was looking up nightclubs and this one got amazing reviews AND it's only a fiver in. It looks like loads of guys go there as well, we should deffo try it because why not?

Reality:

Oh...

4) Shopping for presents.

Expectations:

My mom and dad have done so much for me over the years, especially paying towards this trip. I'm gonna get them the best presents ever and immediately move my status up from great, to the best child ever.

Reality:

That shirt costs what?! Aw hell to the no. That's my drinking money for the next three nights. Guess a keyring will do so...

5) Speaking the language.

Expectations:

"Ah madame, table pour deux s'il vous plait."

Reality:

"BONJOUR, YOU SPEAK ENGLISH, OUI? GRACIAS."

6) Sightseeing.

Expectations:

I'm going to take as many pictures as possible of all the major tourist attractions because I'll print them and hang them on my wall to remind me of this spectacular trip. Goddamit, I'm creative.

Reality:

This'll definitely get a shitload of likes on Facebook...

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Olivia is a Journalism and New Media student at the University of Limerick. As well as writing for College Times, she is also a contributor with Campus.ie and SpunOut.ie. After college Olivia hopes to write feature articles and/or opinion pieces for a New York magazine, from a penthouse suite in Manhattan, earning a six-figure annual salary. She's also known for being slightly over-ambitious.