Painting in the street. Selling my hair to a wigmaker. Doing dishes in a downtown pub. Writing for the Iowa State Daily. Yes, I’m willing to do just about anything to fund my spring break adventures.

Although studying abroad may just be a fancy term for semester vacation, even us American exchange students are itching to get out of Ireland.

Being new to the whole Europe experience, I decided to get some advice before hitting the continent.

“Oh, ye really should see Paris. It’s beautiful, like,” suggested my Irish friend Edwina.

“No no no, Roma,” interjected Simone, the Italian man hopelessly in love with my flatmate Ti-ti.

“Sie sollten Berlin besichtigen,” responded another exchange student, who I’m guessing wanted me to visit the motherland. That, or I should avoid a female dog drinking gin in Berlin. I knew I should have taken German.

Since decision making is stressful, the advice was much appreciated, and I decided to take it. All of it.

London, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Athens, Milan – my Eurail adventure has started to sounds more like an answer key for a geography exam.

Eager to book hostels and plan excursions, it dawns on me that this may end up being far more than a spring break-it may be a spring broke, leaving my bank account lower than a junior high girl’s self esteem.

For a generation drowning in college loans and tuition hikes, we sure don’t seem to flinch in indulging our wanderlust.

Statistically, more than 2.5 million students will travel to the beach spending more than $1 billion dollars, according to research by the U.S. Census.

Even my “good friend” Doug Borkowski sent me a financial tip about the dangers of spring break budget breaking. Although I consider Dougie my close personal friend, he never forgets to e-mail, I think just this once I’ll ignore his insight.

This spring break, I’m taking Europe by storm.

For all of you who have decided to save a few bucks and chill at home, relax and enjoy a well earned break. You can always photoshop yourself into beach shots, hit the tanning salon, and no one need know you didn’t go to Florida.

But, for those of you like me, who chose to test the limits of budget travel, I guarantee your 80-year old self will never say, “I wish I hadn’t gone to Paris.”

Now, before my parents read this and have a heart attack, I’ve decided to be irresponsible. Not insane.

Surprisingly, once you’re in Europe, traveling becomes affordable, with one-cent RyanAir flights and dirt cheap hostels.

“Kayse, this one is only seven euro per night, and it provides a free breakfast,” I eagerly informed my partner-in-crime and fellow ISU student.

“Wasn’t that the one with bed bugs?”

“Umm . maybe. But that’s just a minor detail. Maybe they’re friendly bed bugs.”

Deciding to splurge on the nine euro room across town, sans bugs, I realize I still can manage my entire trip, travel included, without selling my kidneys.

It’s a fine line that college students must walk; we crave adventuresome and exciting experiences but must not ruin our financial futures. It’s one thing to travel the world, but another to go hopelessly into credit-card debt.

Thus, while I will be seeing Europe, it will probably be on foot, with a backpack of beef jerky and trail mix on my back.

Luxury travel is for the elderly. I’ll take my second-class train ticket, even if it means a sweaty Scotsman consistently asking if the “American lasses” would like some wine or “sweeties.”

“No-thank-you-sir. You can put that unmarked, molded-to-your-thigh plastic bag of fudge back in your pocket,” I replied.

Despite his quirky misdemeanor, this friendly man made my Scottish mini-spring break more memorable and amusing. Even thrifty, less-than-glamorous vacations can be extraordinary given the right companions.

“Hey, if we take an extra box of cereal we won’t have to buy lunch,” Kayse noted during a complimentary breakfast. I knew there was a reason we traveled together.

As cheap college students, we’ve all eaten past expiration dates, shopped at Salvation Army, and stolen food from the dining center; budget travel has nothing on us.

We’re also young and able-bodied; by the time I have the means for a “responsible” European vacation, I may not be able to climb the Alps or stay out all night in Barcelona.

I think it’s about time we throw caution to the wind, and spend a week, or three, making memories our grandchildren will be jealous of.

This being said, I’m off to check my online banking; although I may not take his spring break budgeting e-mail seriously, Dougie knows his stuff when it comes to overdraft fees.

– Julie Young is a senior in psychology from Indianola. She is studying in Cork, Ireland, this semester.