University of Manchester student, Jacob Robinson, shares his experience as a Youth Travel Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Aware Campaign, alongside his studies.
Two and a half years ago, I wrote my first blog post for the FCDO Travel Aware campaign about travelling without parents for the first time. Back then, my experience was limited to family holidays, school trips and one or two trips taken with friends.
Now, as I’m approaching the final semester of my undergraduate degree, I've completed a year abroad, taken a solo trip and travelled with friends I've met from across the world.
Since the end of my first year, I've also been working as a Youth Travel Ambassador for the Travel Aware campaign – applications for which are currently open until February 20 here.
Looking back on my time at university so far, it's clear that it’s been as much about personal growth, travel, and extra-curriculars, as it has been academics and studying.
Travel and my university experience
At the end of my first year, I received a travel bursary from my halls of residence for a trip to Krakow, Poland. It was my first taste of planning and experiencing a trip more independently, outside of one you might take with your friends during the summer holidays. It made me realise that travel could be woven into the fabric of your university experience, not just something to save for the hotter months.
I started thinking strategically about how to make travel work better within a student budget - researching cheap destinations, taking advantage of student discounts and putting money aside for future trips throughout the year when I could.
We often say going to university is much more than the degree itself - it’s the societies and sports you join, the city you choose to live in or even the part-time job you pick up to earn some extra cash. But we don’t talk about how formative travel can be too, even when it’s built into our studies.
I have friends whose courses include international trips as part of their curriculum. And even without that added element, most universities do offer the chance to do a semester or year abroad, volunteering placements overseas or bursaries to apply for to fund your own adventures. It’s essential that these opportunities are as accessible as possible to ensure students from all backgrounds are able to access them.
My year abroad
For my third year, I spent an academic year abroad studying in Lyon, France. As a History and French student, it was a mandatory part of my degree and until about a month before I left, it was just one of those things I knew was going to happen eventually. When it actually came time to go, I was a nervous wreck and honestly didn’t want to leave.
I’m so glad I did. The year turned out to be incredibly rewarding, both academically and personally. I took classes well outside my usual degree structure, including Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Art History, Education and Journalism. It was refreshing (and a little terrifying) to step outside my comfort zone and try subjects I’d never studied before.
Outside the classroom, I gained something just as valuable: the confidence to navigate the everyday bureaucracy of another country - something which France is particularly known for. Over time, the rhythms of daily life in France became second nature. What to say, what not to do, how things work: all of it slowly clicked. By the end, it felt surprisingly normal and was sad to say goodbye to the place I’d grown to call home.
My fellow Student Brand Ambassador, Abi, had a similar experience that took her even further: "Taking the opportunity to do a year abroad as part of my University degree was one of the best things I've ever done! It was an incredible experience meeting so many new people, living in a new country and learning a new language. Travelling alongside it was also a major bonus, I managed to get to 15 countries in 15 months and it really ignited my love for travelling.”
“Over two years on I'm now on the other side of the world, living in Australia after a post study trip around South East Asia. It was only supposed to last a few months but now a year on and I am extending my WHV visa, I'm just incredibly grateful for all of the experiences that have led me to this! Being able to look back on so many of my experiences from content I've created through the Travel Aware SBA and help others has only added to my love of travelling as I look forward to my next big adventure."
The bigger picture
Working with Travel Aware has given me a deeper understanding of why travel preparation genuinely matters. The campaign exists because things unfortunately do go wrong and they can happen to anyone. In recent years, we've seen countless headlines about British travellers facing difficult situations abroad: natural disasters, political unrest, medical emergencies, but more often than not, even simple oversights that escalate into serious problems.
This summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Foreign Office for one of their industry briefings. Hearing from officials who deal with real consular cases every day drove home the importance of this work.
Throughout my work as an ambassador, I've written and made social media content about various aspects of safe travel: from the practical basics of booking your first trip, to managing group dynamics abroad, and advice on specific cities and countries. My work has encouraged me to seek out new experiences each time I go abroad too, whether that is a less touristy site in a major city, or trying not to use social media as the only source of recommendations.
Making travel work as a student
So how do you balance the desire to travel with student life realities?
- Start small and build confidence gradually - solo backpacking in South America or interrailing across Europe isn’t everyone's cup of tea. While you’re still at university, do take advantage of what study abroad opportunities you have access to, and bursaries do exist if you seek them out.
- Be transparent about your budget from the start with travel companions. Travelling is an incredibly exciting experience, but as students we know we can be limited.
- When abroad, plan thoughtfully but don't over-schedule; some of my best memories are from unexpected moments rather than jam-packed itineraries.
- And most importantly, prioritise proper preparation. Check the FCDO's travel advice for your destination, get comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book (not the day before!), understand entry requirements and local laws, and always declare medical conditions.
The NUS has a Student Travel Aware Hub with lots of useful information and advice to help you prepare for your next trip.
Being an ambassador has really taught me that these precautions aren't about being paranoid; they’re about ensuring you can fully enjoy your trip without preventable problems.
If you’re interested in gaining experience, have a passion for travel and enjoy creating content, there are a few paid Youth Travel Ambassador roles available – apply by February 20 2026.
