Traversing Travesty.
Why travelling is an important experience for graduates
to have, and what you can gain from the experience.
emotion egging the other on until arrival to Paris. Having located learn than with your own cash.
I reached a point where I had to a decent enough youth hostel, I
sit down and take a deep breath. left my bags and began to look However, nothing challenges you
“Fantastic, James”, I thought, you for sites to see, and museums to more than having all your plans
haven’t left the city and already visit. Museums had always been thrown into chaos. I was very
you’re a nervous wreck! institutions that never interested aware that Paris’ underground
me until I went travelling. I strike was going to have some
By the time I arrived in Dover, wanted to learn about how a impact on me, but nothing
I was considerably calmer. particular culture, so close in prepared me for being told that
Standing in the waiting lounge terms of geography to other there was no way that I could
for my ferry to leave for new and Europeans, could develop and reach the south of France. Plan
unchartered lands (at least by experience life in such a variety in ruins! I headed off to find any
me...), I was the quintessential of ways. I wanted to understand hostel that would take me, within
backpacker – over sized bag, why certain nations developed my budget, of course.
jacket for all weather, and cargo food, music and philosophy in
shorts. The unkempt beard would their own way. I also needed to It’s events like this that make you
follow suit. stick to my budget, and museums more resourceful, more decisive.
are generally free. You’re thrown into a situation
I had known from the outset that where you are self reliant – no
by the time I returned, I would be Having a budget isn’t the worst friends or parents to get advice
a changed man. Those who have idea to have either. Many family from, nor there to bail you out.
succeeded in all industries have members did their level best to You become the master of your
been trend setters, not followers, try and persuade me to take extra own destiny, and whilst this is
and I made it my personal cash, or attempted to deposit something all students dream for
mission not to follow the advice money into my account, but I when leaving home, few rarely
of “know-it-all” tour guides, but wouldn’t have it. Sticking to a embrace the negative aspects of
simply to follow my instinct. budget was something I had learnt being held solely accountable as
Even in the worst situations, I at college and university, and I a fantastic learning experience.
knew that I had enough common didn’t want to change that here. I recall being incredibly fretful
sense to manoeuvre through There were so many travellers I about having to change my
trouble. saw who threw money about, and plans, and not knowing where
I always thought that these people this journey was going to lead.
Capacity building began on will never truly understand the On reflection, it was one of the
significance of resourcefulness. best experiences I ever had,
Budgeting is important in the and the residual effects this had
Budgeting is
work place – no company will in my professional life is quite
important in the
give you an unlimited fund for incomprehensible.
your projects, and those of you
work place - no
who aspire to be at the very top Unforeseen incidents help you to
company will give
end of your chosen industry need fully appreciate who you are, –
you an unlimited
to have a clear idea of how to too many of us hide behind what
budget. And what better way to we think of as “safe”; sticking
fund
HPD Sept ‘09 - Feb ‘10 www.YourHPD.com
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