During the summer months, scrolling through my Instagram feed does nothing but foster a deep feeling of despair. Aside from the usual FOMO I get from seeing people have fun without me (how dare they?), summer brings a surge of posts from people galavanting around the globe. Whether they’re taking a summer course in Singapore, backpacking through South America, or staying at what they call a European country home—a notion that I still haven’t been able to wrap my head around—it seems that everyone is travelling but me. 

But I’m not the only one! So for fellow students staying home this summer, here are some ways to feel like you’re travelling without going far from home and strategies to get you to your dream destination in the near future.

Being a tourist in your own city

During the chaos of the school year, it can be hard to get out and explore Montreal. Summer is the perfect time to act like a tourist, wander around Old Port, hike Mont Royal, or go to museums. If you’re on a budget and looking to feel cultured, the Musée des Beaux-Arts offers free admission to their permanent collection every first Sunday of the month and is free year-round for people twenty and younger. Music lovers can catch a performance at MTELUS or smaller venues like Bar Le Ritz PDB, Casa Del Popolo, and Diving Bell Social Club. For foodies, one of the largest and most diverse food truck festivals can be found outside the Olympic Park on the first Friday between June and October. Take the summer to remember that Montreal is a city that has so much more to offer than just a university degree.

Plan day trips

While it’s not the same as hostel-hopping around Europe, planning day trips can be a great way to spice up your summer. Within a couple of hours from Montreal, there are plenty of quaint towns, parks, and beaches to explore. Hop on a bus or a train to go hiking at the Gault Nature Reserve, Mont Tremblant, or Lac-Brome. Rent a car, through Communauto for example, to access the Eastern Townships, Ontario, Vermont, or New York State.

Saving for travel

Setting a budget can be a great way to plan for future travel proactively. By looking ahead to your travel goals, you can come up with a rough idea of how much money the trip would take and set money aside throughout the year. Additionally, getting a travel credit card can help you save money and get perks like airline deals and hotel points. Opening a new credit card isn’t for everyone, but a few are more accessible to students with no annual fees; some even waive the first year’s fees. 

Travelling for cheap

If you’re anything like me and finance and credit card talk stress you out, don’t worry; there are plenty of other ways to save money while travelling! It just takes some digging to get the best deals. Skyscanner compiles the cheapest flights from your local airport, making it easy to find great deals. For accommodations, check out Hostelworld. Hostels can be a great way to make friends while travelling and find cheap lodging. Many hostels even provide breakfasts, walking tours, and other events. Pro tip: Once you find a place in Hostelworld, compare the price with the hostel’s website, as Hostelworld often overcharges. Working while you’re away is another way to save money while travelling. These programs normally require travellers to work and offer lodging, food, or money in return. Opportunities like this can be found through Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms or Workaway.

Ultimately, beating FOMO is all about finding ways to enjoy where you are, even if it’s just your hometown. While I work on that, though, I will be deleting Instagram.