Vikes Travel
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
Written by Ava Brennan
Where in the world have our Vikes been recently?
Within the confines of smaller midwestern schools, I hear students speak of their desire to travel, explore the world, and expand their horizons. We may look to influencers and celebrities “luxurious trips” and think of travel as a distant idea, unattainable for the average student. To remind our students how vast the world is, here are several students at Cleveland State University who have traveled recently, both domestically and internationally. Some students were fortunate to have their trips paid for, while others were financially independent for their endeavors. Each student has a different story to tell, reflecting differences in luxury, affordability and experiences.
Kelsey Zauner – Lisbon and Faro, Portugal
Kelsey Zauner, a communications major finishing her last semester at CSU, recently traveled out of the country for the first time. Zauner traveled to Faro, Portugal, and Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, at the beginning of this fall semester. She stayed in Portugal for a week with her grandparents.
“I’m very fortunate,” Zauner said. “My grandma and grandpa are travel junkies! It was all of our first time in Portugal, though. My grandpa asked me to go, and paid for me to travel with them.”
Zauner observed that the main languages spoken in Portugal are Portuguese, French and Spanish.
“Everyone there is very accommodating to English,” Zauner said.“There are some instances and words where there is a bit of a barrier, but everyone knew what we were asking.”
She experienced some culture shock during her first time out of the United States.
“Nobody really cared about you – in the best way,” Zauner said. “Here, I feel like there are always eyes on me. (In Portugal) everyone is in their own world!”
Zauner noticed that the Portuguese take their time, which starkly contrasts from the hustle and bustle that she was accustomed to in Cleveland.
“People were slow paced,” Zauner said about her time in Lisbon. “Just enjoying their time.”
In terms of food, Portugal did not disappoint Zauner’s expectations. She enjoyed pasta and coffee with every meal, which she said is a “big must.”
Zauner and her grandparents stayed at a hotel in Lisbon for the first two days, then traveled to Faro and stayed in an Airbnb.
“Faro is further south than Lisbon and a lot warmer,” Zauner said.“There are a lot of beaches.”
Her favorite activities while in Portugal included horseback riding for the first time, a guided cave tour and dolphin watching. She said she appreciated experiencing a different culture and traveling outside the U.S.
Zauner admits that she caught the travel bug during her trip to Portugal and is hoping to return to Europe soon.
Maddie Perotti -- New River Gorge, West Virginia
Maddie Perotti, a sophomore finance major at Cleveland State University, took a weekend trip to New River Gorge, W.Va. this past September. New River Gorge is a National Park in the Appalachian Mountains, known for the longest single arch bridge in the western hemisphere.
Perotti and her friend began the five-hour car ride after their classes ended on a Friday. Once they arrived, Perroti hiked the three-mile Longpoint Trail as the sun was setting. They rushed to reach the overlook at the end of the trail in time to experience the sunset over the gorge.
“It was absolutely gorgeous when we got there,” Perotti said. “We made it to the overlook right when the sun was setting.”
After taking in the views, they hiked the three miles back in the dark, which Perotti admits was frightening. Yet, they made it back and found themselves hungry for dinner. They ate at the popular restaurant Secret Sandwich Society, which is famous for its sandwiches named after U.S. Presidents. After dinner and a long day of hiking, Perotti turned in for the night at an Airbnb in Carlton Heights.
“I woke up the next morning and went outside, and realized we were right in the middle of the mountains, which I didn’t notice earlier because it was dark when we got there,” Perotti said.
That day, Perotti hiked the Endless Wall Trail and took in the views from the many beautiful overlooks throughout the park.
“My favorite part was hiking,” Perotti said. “The trails were both really fun hikes and we saw stunning overlooks – it felt otherworldly.”
Perotti is a weekend getaway enthusiast and always jumps at the opportunity to experience a new destination, even for one night. She recommends her peers do the same and experience as many new places as possible.
“There are so many affordable options for us college students to travel,” Perotti said. “There are so many free campsites and a lot of nearby getaway spots, so you don’t necessarily have to get on a plane or break your bank on accommodation to travel somewhere new.”
Kyle Yates – Solo Traveling In the Mountains
Kyle Yates, a senior mechanical engineering major at Cleveland State University, is an avid solo traveler and mountain range enthusiast.
Yates admits to always having an itch to travel, since he has been traveling with his family for years. He recalls trips with his family to Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Barcelona and the East and West Coasts of the United States. He believes these experiences kindled his longing to explore and experience new places.
Yates started solo traveling a few years ago, beginning in his freshman year at Cleveland State. His first solo trip occurred after he suffered a meniscus tear. Barely able to walk, he felt an urge to get away for the weekend.
“People were posting pictures of fall foliage on TikTok and I wanted to see it,” Yates said. “I drove out to Pennsylvania and slept in my car.”
Since that first endeavor, he has gone on six or seven more solo trips. Yates usually sleeps in a tent or in his car parked in a rest stop. His favorite solo trip was to the Rockies, specifically Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
“Thats where I learned to backpack,” Yates said. “It's an experience I am so grateful for.”
Yates admits that solo traveling can be daunting, even for someone experienced like him. He said that there is a lot of fear and anxiety that he has experienced during his adventures.
“You get in your head. Every horror movie you’ve ever watched – you’re imagining those creatures,” Yates said. “I ask myself ‘Am I gonna get lost? Am I going to make it out?’”
Regardless of the fears, Yates ultimately considers solo traveling fulfilling and rewarding. He fondly remembers his solo trips to the Adirondacks, Appalachians and Rockies.
“I have all these memories; I have amazing stories,” Yates said. “I have all these experiences where I’m like ‘I did that! I accomplished that.’ I hiked these mountains alone and I pushed myself.”
For students who desire to travel, Yates shared some of his personal tips and policies. The first step for affordable travel as a student is ruling out what is necessary versus what is excessive. Food is a necessary cost, whereas accommodation can be excessive depending on the budget. He recommends going with a group and splitting the cost if an Airbnb or hotel is necessary.
“If you have a car, you can car camp or sleep in a tent in national forests for free,” Yates said. “My only extra expense on these trips is gas.”
So get out there!
Travel is possible for those who want to prioritize it. As we see from our peers, there is no one correct way to travel. You can stay in a gorgeous European hotel or sleep in a tent in the mountains at a national park. The world is wide, and there is so much to see and experience.