SPECIAL BENEFITS: Although Internet travel facilities providers offer enticing products and packages, there are student-specific organisations that provide deals only for students
EVERY student will probably agree that all study and no play makes one a dull person.
While one can armchair travel via the Internet, nothing beats an actual visit to widen one’s horizons and see a different perspective.
Travel agency MSL Travel Sdn Bhd chief executive Ramchand Duhlanomal holds this view with conviction.
And his belief stems from his experience as student travel director in the National Union of Malaysian Students following his appointment in 1972.
The union interacted with similar groups in other countries and vice versa.
“In those days things were different.
If a group of Malaysian students wanted to go to Hong Kong, they would need to plan six months in advance as letters were the only feasible way to communicate and make sure plans materialise,” he said.
Students used to join exchange programmes that consisted of 10 to 20 people.
“Say if University of Malaya sent 20 students to Thailand, Chulalongkorn University of Bangkok would send the same number to Kuala Lumpur.
Thai students stayed at UM residence halls, ate at the cafeteria and attended lectures like local students.
We put up signboards on campus to tell local undergraduates that they can meet t he foreign students at the Students Union.
They made friends and the locals acted as tourist guides.” After his studies , Ramchand continued to arrange trips for local students and those from abroad, and eventually set up MSL Travel in 1976 to help students make and execute travel plans and arrangements.
“The trend for study group travel is fading.
What we have now is like-minded people travelling together — people with similar interests who want to go to the same destinations for specific activities or sights.” Although Internet travel facilities providers offer plenty of enticing products and packages, there are student-specific organisations that provide deals only for students, such as the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) of which MSL Travel has been a member since 1980.
“ISTC was formed in 1949 to create opportunities for students on exchange programmes to learn about other cultures and languages, and to provide flexible travel opportunities to make this possible.
It is an international non-profit organisation whose members collectively negotiate with airlines, governments and providers of goods and services for the benefit of the worldwide student community.” One of ISTC’s flagship products is the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Only available to full-time students, it offers reduced transport fare, particularly airline tickets, with extra 10kg baggage at no expense.
Recognised by Unesco, the card enables students to enjoy discounts on admission to museums, galleries, cultural centres and historic sites worldwide.
“ISIC also offers access to a network of student service organisations in 120 countries as well as a communication services package that includes reduced phone rates on overseas calls.” More than 100 million have applied for the ISIC, which celebrated its 60th year last year.
For accommodation when travelling, Ramchand recommended the Hostelling International membership which guarantees students affordable, clean and safe places to put up the night as well as mingle with youths in 60 countries including its country of origin, Germany.
Life membership is RM300.
And how can students make the most of their travels in a foreign country? Ra mcha nd sug gested t hey immerse themselves in the country and make full use of the five senses to see, taste, hear, smell and touch.
“It is the culture, the people, the natural beauty and the environment which make a country.”
He advised travellers to read travel guides that can tell even more of what you can experience in a country.
“We recommend youths to travel independently, but there are tours that are only for them.
On such tours, they will be with people in the same age group, who probably have similar taste in music and other interests.
It is an opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world.
“And enjoy travels by making health a priority at all times.”