The Voice Issue #4, August 2018

THE travel EDITION ISSUE #04 AUGUST 2018

@hindles_

ORIAL

ESCA P E !

When I think of travel, I usually think big. Hawaii, USA, Korea - you get the idea.

Typically, the eventuation of these fantastic ideas is always a short, unimpressive trip to Coles, prompted by the collective $4 in my wallet that is about to be spent on my weekly 95-cent butter popcorn addiction.

But in the process of writing this letter (and periodically munching on popcorn), it got me thinking. Does travel mean I have to spend thousands of dollars on flights to go on an exotic escape? My relatives have never moved from their small suburban house in over 30 years. For them, an adventure-or so far as to say “exotic escape”- is travelling 5 hours from their home in Bundaberg to Brisbane. As the kilometers passed on the road to Bris-Vegas, my cousins’ eyes were wide and filled with awe. For me, a girl who has moved around constantly since I was born, a simple car trip like this wasn’t exciting whatsoever, but to them, it was just like I had flown them to the moon.

Travel isn’t always scuba diving in Hawaii or hiking up Everest (aka college drive in winter) or even cardio-pumping up the pyramids of Geeza *ahem college hall stairs*.

Travel can be as simple as getting in your car and simply going and as you’re going, admiring every step. Make memories, take notes and explore - right here, right now. For those returning from break or even those starting Avondale for the first time, don’t let this campus confine you. “Adventure is out there!”, so take your time, take a breath, and go find it.

TRAVEL

competition SEND your best Travel Shots that tell a TalE TO

@ T h e V o i c e AV O N D A L E OR USE THE HASHTAG

# t h e v o i c e av o n d a l e 1 8 f o r yo u r c h a n c e t o w i n $ 5 0 F U E L t o wa r d s yo u r n e x t adventure.

EDITOR Kayla Carter ASSISTANT emmerson grey GRAPHIC DESIGNER Minah Bocchino Images sourced from pexels.com COVER ART/ PHOTO Tepa Afele Thanks

An awesome team with extreme patience (Minah and Kayla), warm places to curl up and escape the cold.

95 cent Butter Popcorn.

No thanks Winter Vampire tan cold noses deadlines

K AY L A C A R T E R Kayla loves chocolate and dark chocolate and is hoping that this semester doesn’t make her stress eat to the point of having to actually use her gym membership.

EMMERSON GREY Sometimes I think my life could be a really hilarious sitcom, then I realise that eating, watching hours of Netflix and running into every inanimate object isn’t classed as entertainment. Thank goodness I’m going to succeed with my stable Arts degree.

C A LU M E N T E R M A N N Calum is a keen freegan who loves to save the dollars in his pocket and environment around him. A quick way to get him angry is to chuck a plastic bottle in the non-recycle bin.

Alternatively, you can make his day by not buying the plastic bottle in the first place.

C H R I S M CC L E L L A N D Chris is a Secondary Education student who wishes he was musically talented and has been asked multiple times to be “less critical of capitalism” for some reason.

B EC CO L L E Y I like to think i’m good at sport but realistically, I probably have no idea what i’m doing. I just like to eat cookies.

FRA N C H ES K A SAN DOVAL If tripping and bumping into things was a talent, I would win an Oscar Award. I am a proud paper cut survivor and adventure junkie.

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regulars 14

wo/man

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#avondalexp

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interview

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t h e c h e at s h e e t

features president’s letter

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second-hand journeys

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the greatest travel hack

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travel is home

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Keep soaring, eagles

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05

letter Dan Wilson

F IAT VO LU N TAS D E I

In The Two Towers, the second movie in the Lord of the Rings series, we see King Théoden of Rohan forced to retreat to the mountain fortress of Helms Deep to flee the invading forces of darkness. As the men of Rohan prepare to make their final stand, Théoden reflects on his situation, and asks the question “How has it come to this?”

Avondale College of Higher Education is going through a time of trouble. Massive changes, both positive and negative, are taking place, and many people are questioning why all of this is happening. Rumours are circulating that many staff could be made redundant, budgets are being cut in every department, and new fees are being introduced, leading many to ask the same question as Théoden, how has it come to this?

Adventists are notorious for resisting change till they have no other choice – If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it - and Avondale is no exception. Change is being forced on us, whether we like it or not. But during this time, one thing we must never lose sight of is our focus on mission. This college was established as a training ground for missionaries, and no matter what happens, we must remain focused on God, and train our students to leave Avondale equipped to serve the Lord. Many of your parents went to Avondale, and you probably have heard all the stories of the ‘glory days’, when life was simple, and this college was the place to be if you wanted a good, Adventist education. Now, life isn’t that simple. Technology has changed our way of thinking, and Avondale must now find its place in this secular world, where a good Christian education out in the country, isn’t as appealing as the ability to constantly do new things and make new experiences.

Because of this, Avondale is forced to adapt to new methods of learning. One can study at Avondale from the other side of Australia, or even overseas, without so much as setting foot in this campus. The very essence of how Avondale operates is being forced to change, lecturers are required to prepare online lectures, and we are the students caught in this chaotic transition period.

The past cannot be changed, and although we enjoy looking back to the good old days,

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where the students were the primary focus and, the Avondale experience was its main attraction, we must remember that we are living in a different time. Avondale is changing, and though change is scary, it is necessary. Many students have expressed their concerns to me about the future of Avondale, with one student asking if there will even be an Avondale to graduate from. These are valid questions, and though we may be afraid to face the future, we must not forget the past. Remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, remember that Jesus promised to be with us always, and remember that God still is in control. God has a plan for Avondale, and as long as each of us remembers to keep God in our hearts and minds, nothing can stop us from serving God. The Jews could not imagine anything happening to their temple and holy city, yet even after the Babylonians destroyed it and took the people into exile, God stayed with them.

So where is God in all this? The same place He always was - right here with us. He will never leave us or abandon us. Things are changing, and this is definitely not ideal. Many of you are reflecting just like King Théoden and the Jews in exile. Never forget these feelings, use them to learn and grow, and when all is said and done, look back and see how God has led you through this because He will.

How have we come to this? Instead of answering this question, I would like you to reflect on and think about your lives. Every choice you have made has led to this moment, and the choices you make today will affect your future. You hold your future in your hand, and you must decide how to shape it. Avondale is changing, and whether you are resisting this change, or embracing it, you must decide how to move forward from this point.

In my own personal reflection, I aim to do my best to represent you as your elected student president, and if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me.

I welcome everyone to share their thoughts, experiences or concerns with me, or Avondale directly, and I will do my best to make your voices heard.

Fiat Voluntas Dei, simply translated means “May God’s will be done.”

- Dan

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bibles for kenya Christopher Petersen Not everyone has the opportunity to read the Bible in their own language, which is why a team of Avondale students have decided to help fundraise money to solve this problem. This August, the students behind the Mighty Warrior Ministries website and the After Sermon Podcast, are aiming to fundraise $2400, to provide 200 Bibles for the Ribwogo Church in Kenya.

For this reason, these student representatives are asking for Avondale students to kindly donate during the fundraising campaign, lasting from August 12th-29th. One Bible only costs $12, and all amounts of donations are accepted. For the price of just one regular meal, you can put a Bible in the hands of someone in need of God’s word.

So, how can you help?

Go to mighty-warrior.org/donations/kenya to make an online donation. Students will also be waiting inside the Avondale cafeteria to accept cash donations. Make sure as well to share our online advertisements on the MWM Facebook page, to let others know about the campaign, and use the hashtag #kenyadoit. If you would like to involve your local churches, contact us at mighty-warrior.org, and we can provide a promotional video to show your congregation.

So, what are you waiting for? Go donate now! #Kenya do it

Serve. Grow.

EXPL O R E

'Here I am, Lord...

SEND ME'

adventistvolunteers.org

@rc_classy

second-hand journeys Chris Mclelland So, I gotta write about travel, do I? We had this one assignment in high school, a bit of a fun one where we had to make a short film about globalisation or something. One nominee in this class film festival was a short comedy about a guy with absolutely no awareness of the world who desperately wanted to go to Egypt.

The film opens with our protagonist looking over a map of a fictional world (which he was convinced was Egypt despite the, you know, words) and deciding to go on his long-desired holiday.

What followed was a montage of error and folly as he tries to pack his luggage and arrange his itinerary, featuring such antics as: • Reading a book on ancient Egypt and thinking it was about the present day.

• Reading in said book that Egyptians fought with bows and swords.

• Packing a gun to protect himself from bows and swords.

• Wearing one of those safari helmets from the 1910’s that at this point is synonymous with imperialism. You know the one I mean.

• Covering himself with corks to keep away mosquitoes.

• Eventually giving up on the trip and just googling pictures of pyramids, saying “there, it’s on my screen, I’ve seen it, that’s good enough.”

Now I’m sure the editor of this publication (and you too) would love to know why I’m talking about that memory rather than any of my own, actually real travels. And in a way, that’s kind of the point. There’s a lot of world out there, way more than anyone can see in their lifetime (and I’m entirely cognisant of my own fortune, having been to a lot of places in the world). But I can’t help but wonder if maybe that thirst will help bring us together when the only way to quench it is to share with others. No one person has lived the exact same experiences as anyone else, that much is true, but we have a fantastic tool available to help remedy the complications this brings. It’s called communication! Available for just three easy payments of $19.99, call the number on your screen.

I’d wager at least three-quarters of what we understand of the world comes not from our own experience, but from what others pass on to us. And that’s fantastic! It makes storytelling a social currency that enriches all of us, strengthens our ties and opens the doors for a broad range of experiences. Even the most abstract and foreign sensations can resonate with us, enable us to feel things we have never felt and respond as if they were our own. But there’s a virtue to it beyond just mental sustenance and a potential fear-of-missing-out vaccine: the potential to cultivate a greater empathy.

It’s a natural instinct to want other-ise people, not just by appearance or background but by ideas as well, but this can be harmful when you determine them to be inherently dangerous or not worth listening to. I think we can all agree that there’s a lot of bad happening in the world lately, and I for one hold firm to the idea that to be an aware and active citizen of the world is not just a calling for the noble few but a responsibility for each and every one of us. But it really irks me when people claim to have an investment in bettering the world, and yet are not willing to have

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their mind changed by new ideas. The way I see it, wisdom is a natural by-product of knowledge.

How can we possibly not get along when we understand each other?

So, if you’re looking for a new-semester resolution, I advise you (not that I have really any authority to advise anyone, feel free to treat this as a deranged rant from a dude with a cardboard sign on the side of the road) to open yourselves to stories from as diverse a range of sources as possible.

Race, class, religion, age, and gender are hereby irrelevant, just listen. Most of all, don’t be apathetic, because the only way we’re getting out of this is together.

Wow, that got heavy quick. I wonder how much I would have been able to put on the page if I decided to write about getting penalised in basketball.

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wo meleisea 1. What is the most beautiful place you’ve travelled to?

The most relaxing and vibrant place on earth – Hawaii.

2. What is the best compliment someone can give you?

“You make me want to be a better person.”

3. If a song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child 4. What is the most attractive thing someone can do in your eyes?

Buy me food without needing to ask.

5. What is one thing you could tell s omeone that would change their life?

Don’t try to suppress a sneeze.

Apparently, you can burst a blood vessel in your neck and you can die.

6. The guy/girl of your dreams is sitting in front of you, what’s your opening line?

What are we calling our kids?

7. What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Even though you think so – not everyone

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is going to love you in this world and that’s fine. Keep doing your thang cause you’re doing great, sweetie.

8. If you could travel to only one place before you die, where would you go?

Definitely into outer space.

9. Do you speak any languages? If not, what language do you wish you could speak?

I don’t speak any languages apart from English but if I could speak another language, I would speak the mother tongue, Samoan, so that I can actually understand when there’s sun in my Nana’s eyes and she wants me to close the blinds, saving her from getting angry at me and raising her blood pressure lol #plastic.

10. What is a legacy you would like to leave in Avondale?

I would like people to remember me as being an authentic soul with a genuine love for connecting with anyone and everyone. Also, I would have wanted to inspire the students at Avondale to laugh and love more.

man nath 1. What is the most beautiful place you’ve travelled to?

When I was 6 years old I went to Disneyland - no holiday destination has topped that yet.

2. What is the best compliment someone can give you?

I like your beard.

3. If a song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion… absolute banger.

4. What is the most attractive thing someone can do in your eyes?

List all 28 fundamentals.

5. What is one thing you could tell someone that would change their life?

That God loves you.

6. The guy/girl of your dreams is sitting in front of you, what’s your opening line?

Knowing myself it’s probably just gonna be an extended period of awkward silence.

7. What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Definitely to watch more Disney movies and learn a musical instrument.

8. If you could travel to only one place before you die, where would you go?

After seeing my grades, probably the library.

9. Do you speak any languages? If not, what language do you wish you could speak?

Being Fijian Indian both my parents speak in Hindi and I can understand everything but because I always responded in English I never actually practiced my Hindi and it just sounds terrible.

10. What is a legacy you would like to leave in Avondale?

To be a fun laid back guy who was a delight to be around but was also able to assist the people around him either spiritually, academically or by simply being a friend.

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the greatest travel hack - l o v e Calum Entermann Do you ever find yourself wishing you could travel more? Do you long to explore more of this glorious globe (or flat earth – if you prefer) God gave us? Well, my friends, I’ve got a tried and true method for you. I like to call it “The Lovebug”, and yes, this baby works…most of the time. Here, I’m going to teach you how to capitalise on the relationships around you and use them to get yourself around the world.

Note: You can get at least 2 trips out of this method and maybe more if you play your cards right.

Step 1 – obtain a single participant.

First, all you need is to have a member in your family who is single. It doesn’t have to be you and take my word for it; it’s more fun when it isn’t. Now the first step is the tricky part - find said sibling a foreign date. Now I was lucky enough to skip this step all together as my sibling did this part all by himself. But if your sibling is slow off the mark, don’t hesitate to queue up some dates for them. Is this weird? - Yes, but if you take your travelling goals seriously, you won’t baulk at this. It’s a small price to pay.

Step 2 – be patient.

Once it’s clear they’re into each other, sit back for a year and let nature take its course. I then suggest you grab a stack of Wallace Bishop flyers and start scattering them around your sibling’s apartment.

Next thing you know, they’ll start mort-

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gaging their mothers for diamond rings, and that’s when you know you’re going places.

Step 3 – pack your bags.

Now everyone knows he can’t take her hand without first meeting her parents (and let’s be honest, you want to suss out those future in-laws, make it your obligation). Now go pack your bags and pull out your unicycle baby, ‘cause it’s time to third-wheel with those love birds. (Fun fact: my whole family decided to jump on board this idea. That tricycle quickly turned into an office chair, and we rolled over to Northern Europe with the happy couple #NoPrivacy #yolo.) So there, that’s one trip overseas sorted.

Final Step.

Next, you’ve got the wedding. Now, if your brother knows what’s good for him, chances are he’ll have the wedding in her home country to make up for taking her permanently away from her friends and family. Chances are too he’ll make you Best Man for his wedding and booyah baby! You’ve just scored yourself a second overseas trip!

It’s amazing how far a bit of love can take you!

Ps. I’ve got a sister to go marry off.

So if you know any single British lads who love the Lord, let me know.

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#avondalexp

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Francheska Sandoval

home

“So, where are you from?” Such a simple, standard question when meeting someone new. Most people don’t even bat an eye when formulating a response to it. I, on the other hand, dreaded this question. Did they mean my ethnicity, my nationality, or where I was born - because all three have different answers! Over the years I developed this response: would you like the short or the long answer?

I am a third culture kid (TCK). This label is bestowed upon those who have spent a great part of their formative years outside of their parents’ culture. This definition, however, doesn’t even account for how many other cultures TCKs are exposed to. Personally, I don’t feel that it even scratches the surface of what my childhood has been like. I was three months old the first time my family moved to a different country, and since then, I have not stopped moving. For you to understand just how much I have moved, I will simply say this: the only continent I have left to live in is Antarctica, and I don’t think that’s happening anytime soon!

Travelling so frequently has certainly not been easy. My whole life, I have been a citizen of everywhere, and yet, nowhere. The constant cycle of making friends and losing friends is emotionally taxing. Not having a place where I felt I belonged was difficult, especially during my teen years. I remember often wishing I had roots, friendships that went as far back as my memory, and someplace I knew I could truly call home. I wished for stability.

As I grew older, however, I began to truly cherish the rich life lessons and experiences I had been exposed to. The most important lesson being the importance of depending on God throughout all the chaos. Now, I would not have my childhood any other way.

So, what has traveling taught me? Traveling throws you out of your comfort zone. This enables you to become mentally and emotionally resilient. It broadens your knowledge TRAVELLING IS HUMBLING EXPERIENCE. and perspective of the world in a way nothing else can. Seeing and experiencing different cultures is a strong learning curve, but one that enables you to be flexible and realise that there are many ways in which things can be done. There is no set way to eat, to play, or to live. Travelling is a humbling experience. It makes you genuinely appreciate what you have. It challenges your way of life and makes you rethink your priorities. On the other hand, it can truly try your patience. In the end, though, you learn to laugh away the inconveniences and work around them. Can’t communicate with a taxi driver in India? Time to sharpen your acting and hand gesture skills! It is quite a comical thing to see charades in the streets being acted out by tourists and locals.

Now, I no longer dread to answer where I am from, or where I consider my home to be. To me, travel is home. Travelling has become part of me, and I believe it is part of all of us.

For aren’t we all on a lifelong journey? We are traveling to a better place; a place where there are no more tears or pain. Wouldn’t you want that to be your dream destination?

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@kyleharders

keep soaring, eagles.

A Uni Games Report Bec Colley In the first week of July, the Eagles competed in the annual Uni Games on the Queensland coast. We had six teams across four sports: basketball, futsal, touch football and volleyball. Each game was a fight with beak and claw, with each victory treasured. Our Eagles kept their heads high, fought hard and were always able to smile through the pain.

After the first day of competition, our Eagles came home covered in bruises and strapping tape. Having been fed great food cooked by AJ Tuiafiso, our athletes headed out for another day of games, only to return home that night with even more injuries - the cycle repeating for days three and four. By the end of the week, the majority of our athletes had been taped back together, with two hospital visits for Nadine Simmons and Theo Chhakchhuak. But through it all, our Eagles never gave up.

Despite all odds, our Eagles demonstrated strength, resilience and teamwork, leading three of our six teams to bronze medal matches. However, where our athletes’ true character was highlighted was through their perseverance and determination.

The fight for the games started early with the women’s touch team. Last minute changes to the team left them one player short of the minimum required. Lead by their captain, Nadine Simmons, with only one day to find a replacement, the women’s touch team pulled in one more player and managed to get themselves to the competition, earning themselves a place in the finals and eventually going on to win the bronze medal match. The men’s

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touch and women’s volleyball fought closely behind achieving many victories which led to making it to the bronze medal match. Despite missing out on well-deserved medals at the end of the game, each team was able to walk away feeling very proud of their achievements.

Although they did not make it to the finals, our other three teams, men’s and women’s futsal, and men’s basketball (finishing 16th, 9th and 10th respectively), were favourites among the competing universities, for their character both on and off the court. This character is one that reflects our faith - one of love, joy, kindness, determination and perseverance. It is a character that encourages our teammates and our competition, and most importantly, it is one that reflects the love that Jesus showed us.

It was once said, “sport doesn’t build character - sports reveals character,” but I believe it does both. Everything from camaraderie to respect, confidence to resilience, can be learnt through sport. In the process of developing these traits, we also reveal our character. Romans 5:3-4 says “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope”.

Our Eagles showed us that sport not only requires physical strength, but it also requires the strength of mind and heart.

This is why we can feel proud of how we played, not only because of the physical effort put in so whole-heartedly but also because of the godly characters lived out by our team revealed through our sport.

“My faith challenges me every day to

love deeper, train harder, and glorify God no matter what the outcome,” said U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder, Tobin Heath, “...It’s Jesus. That’s why I play. I play to glorify Him”. Our Eagles showed

this same character of faith during Uni Games, and we too can show it every day in our lives.

Keep soaring, Eagles.

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interview with

Ly n n e t t e

Lounsbury

1. What is your role at Avondale College and how long have you been working here?

I am a lecturer in Communications and Ancient History. My specialities in Communications are media writing, creative writing and film studies, while my main area of study in ancient history has been ancient writers.

2. What made you want to be a lecturer?

I absolutely love to talk about interesting things. When I know something, I want to share it. I love collaboration and creativity, I love people and I love learning. All of those things fit into lecturing – so here I am.

3. You are an accomplished author, journalist and you currently run Avondale’s YTravel Blog. What inspired you to be a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was in Year 2 and I would send off poems and

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stories to the Daily Mail trying to get published (My masterpiece “Autumn Day” was published that year and I was paid in book vouchers). Writing is my therapy, my curse, my favourite thing AND the hardest thing I do. I spend a great deal of time daydreaming so writing is my way of capturing all of those thoughts.

4. What is the main purpose of the YTravel Blog?

To mentor students through the process of publication – from pitch, to draft, to final online publication. It teaches them to refine a story down to a really engaging angle, to turn something they love into (hopefully, eventually) a profitable creative venture and to be open to criticism and suggestion. It provides them with a published tearsheet and teaches them how to share and promote their work online. Freelance writing can be a great gig, but it can also be very intimidating, so I want to demystify a few parts of that world.

5. If you had to lose every book you own except one, which one would it be?

Can’t do it. Best I can offer is cutting back to one series: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series. I could happily reread those till the end of my days.

6. Have you done much travelling?

If so, where is the most memorable place you’ve travelled to?

I’ve done quite a bit. I love the South Pacific – I grew up there. I love the history of Italy and the pace of Asia.

But my most memorable trips have been two coast-to-coast US roadtrips.

It is a country made for roadtripping.

The culture shifts and changes with the landscape and there is a lot of open sky. Perfect for a writer. My favourite stops on those trips are always Seattle, Sante Fe and Montana.

7. What does your perfect “free” day look like when you’re not hectically typing or teaching?

A hike from Bondi to Coogee (I live along this route), a beach swim (my ideal day is 28 degrees), several coffees, Vietnamese food, shopping and Netflix. Oh – I missed the massage – there’s definitely a massage in there somewhere.

8. From your experience (in travelling, writing, and general Avondale EXP), do you have any advice for students who want to travel or write?

Travel? Do it whenever you can and don’t wait to have the money to tour Europe- pitch in for petrol money and take a group roadtrip up or down the Aus coast. Go to Sydney for the day and hang out in a suburb you’ve never visited, hike the Blue Mountains or the Stockton dunes. Money isn’t a

requirement for travel any more than distance.

Writing? Write all the time. Write poems in notebooks, write a blog, write stories about your travels. Work on novels you might never publish.

Publication is secondary. It takes 10,000 hours to be proficient at anything and writing is no different. Let people read your work and be open to critique, even harsh critique. Learn to rewrite. It is harder than writing will ever be. Be prepared to support your writing – don’t ask it to support you or it will become something you are at odds with.

9. Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

There are five of us in a little ole terrace in Bronte. My partner is Jim – a screenwriter, film director, producer and mountain climber. He was originally from Washington, USA, but I convinced him Sydney had better beaches. I have a thirteen-year-old kid named Tenzin, who is level 75 on Fortnite, plays rep ball for the Sydney Comets and runs a basketball gear company called Dare Athletics. I also have a 10-year-old named Finnian who loves cosplay, listens to David Bowie and is saving up for a Delorean.

Last, but most insistent, is our rescue pup – Ziggy Stardust – who is telling me right now to stop typing and take her for a walk. Her main goal in life is to kill all of the cats.

10. What do you hope your students take away from lectures with you?

The desperate desire to create something new and a really open mind.

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@samjuke

Th e

Sh eet

This issue our theme is travel! As an adrenaline junkie myself, the thought of travel has always made its appeal to me, but the intimidating organisation factor has prohibited most of my exhibitions from becoming reality. This Cheat Sheet is dedicated to making your ideal exploration cheap, achievable and most importantly memorable.

APPS Google Translate (APP & WEBSITE): If you are planning to travel to another country, there’s a high possibility that you will have a language barrier. Personally, I would suggest learning as much of the natural dialect as possible as Google Translate, despite being the most accurate pocket translator, is not always reliable. Learning even the basics in a language will help you to pick up common phrases, identify translation errors and enhance your own pronunciation. There is a huge variety of free resources for learning, but a good start I would recommend is DuoLingo. If you don’t have the time to learn, then Google Translate is your best option for easy, convenient translation. { 9.5/10 }

Skyscanner (APP & WEBSITE) : When you’re planning to travel, it takes a lot of effort to organise cheap, quality accommodation, flights and transport. Skyscanner allows you to compare a huge variety of flights, accommodation and transport and gives you the best prices for all of your destinations. This app also sends you notifications so that you can keep track of the lowest prices without having to sit in front of your computer/phone all day. To feel the power without the pressure, this app is a musthave. { 9/10 }

XE (APP & WEBSITE): As you travel, it’s always handy to know the currency exchange to sort out your finances. This app offers currency exchange for every country and also allows you to send money between people if you are splitting cheques or transferring funds. { 7/10 } Emm’s Tip: When you travel, you’ll want to capture every moment. Your phone camera is an excellent tool to do that, but to get those HQ shots underwater, in the snow and in harsh conditions without the fear of damaging your only source of contact, I would suggest investing in a GoPro. High quality cameras such as Canon E30s can be heavy and a pain to carry around. The GoPro is a small, convenient and superior tool for

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Youtube Kristen and Siya (hopscotchtheglobe): For those who want to start travelling but want the tips, tricks and best picks before making the first step, this couple have a wide selection of vlogs and informational videos that will cater to all your questions. { 7.5/10 }

p l ay l i s t s Wander – chill mix by Stephanie Montgomery: Craving adventure? Need the perfect indie tunes? Search no further.

travelling by shani-26: Picture this: You + perfect sunset + open road + pumping banger tunes the whole way. This playlist has the ideal travel, memory-making vibe and only stops when you want it to.

For those white noise addicts, this is the perfect opportunity to go outside! Travel, drive or walk, take the headphones out and simply listen. The world is your concert and you are centre stage. Open your ears, open your mind and listen. Really listen.

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