Traveling While In University: Tools & Tips

Taking a class online while traveling was actually pretty easy. The weeks passed by and soon the semester was over. There was not a huge workload since it was only one class. Still, taking a class online requires a few necessities, and sometimes you have to get creative while traveling to be able to do your schoolwork.

Some of the tools that made it possible for me to take classes while traveling were a laptop and credit card that is accepted worldwide as well as cash, and of course, an internet connection.

When it comes to a the terminal used to access your course, there are a few options. The most lightweight options are finding computers as you go that have internet connection. In many countries this is possible with enough determination. Places like libraries and internet cafes are usually available. A low weight option is to use a Bluetooth keyboard with your phone. We all travel with a phone these days for the most part. So the this could be possible using your phone as a viewing terminal. While feasible, I’ve found working off a phone screen too difficult. This leaves us with taking a laptop. Laptops can be quite heavy. For my class purposes I only needed to be able to read a textbook online and type in text documents. I was able to find a low price laptop that weighed a couple pounds. The battery life was also very high so I was able to use it as power storage throughout the day.

Having a laptop or not, you will still need to be able to get connected. I was able to get connected throughout South Korea by purchasing Wi-Fi cards from convenience stores. Prepaid cards allow for a timed session online. There are abundant -yet blocked- Wi-Fi hot spots all around South Korea. There was still free Wi-Fi in South Korea, just not abundant.

In Japan you can find free Wi-Fi throughout the nation. Often the hot spot will be inside a convenience store. Whether you’re buying prepaid minutes or buying a snack to use the Wi-Fi for a while, you will need to have cash or a credit card. Online school while traveling creates expenses, but these can be mitigated.

During my class I did not use a Wi-Fi hotspot, since then I have sometimes used a Wi-Fi hotspot while traveling. A Wi-Fi hotspot can be a good deal depending on their rate in the nation you’re visiting. Additionally, the more people going on a trip, the more enticing a Wi-Fi hotspot will be.

Some of the tips I learned over my time taking classes abroad are that it takes determination to be able to freewheel it without a terminal.

With that said, having a terminal doesn’t inherently mean connection. With a terminal you still need to find a connection, while without a terminal the connection usually will be wherever you find a terminal.

Another tip is to ensure you are able to work while offline. This means downloading your texts and turning on offline edit to your documents when available.

Another tip is to take classes you’re really interested in. I enjoyed my art class and really was interested in the topic. For this reason the class didn’t feel like a waste of my time. I was traveling in cool countries, and learning about a topic I enjoyed.

Since 2014 I have taken more courses while traveling. Keep an eye out for more posts on traveling while in university!