In essence, Working Holiday Visas allow you to travel while you’re already traveling.

How can you say no to that? (Unless, of course, you aren’t eligible for a WHV, in which case, I’m really sorry and you should stop reading right now.)

Then I thought back to my first experience on a WHV in Ireland. I had just turned 22 and had absolutely no idea what to expect. My only experience with visas had been swiping them at the mall. Hostels were a completely foreign concept, and I was convinced they were full of people who wanted to steal my stuff.

Moving overseas is scary. Finding a job is scary. Being alone is scary.

But quit trying to talk yourself out of it. I’m here to tell you why you should do it anyway.

1. It seems so complicated. Do I really need a visa?

My friends Alexa and Cole fill out tax forms for fruit picking in Bundaberg, Australia.

Look. Life is complicated. Do you want to travel or don’t you?

If you’re not confident filling the application forms out on your own, I can personally recommend the BUNAC program. It costs a little bit more, but in return you get assistance with your working holiday visa application, a helpful handbook, and an orientation once you arrive.

Red tape is an unavoidable part of working abroad, but it’s not a reason to avoid it altogether.

And YES. You need a visa.

2. I’d love to take a working holiday, but it’s expensive.

When I worked in London, one pound was worth two dollars. Bad at first, but great when I got paid.

A mortgage is expensive. Vacations are expensive. That daily Starbucks habit is expensive.

Traveling is all about priorities. Yes, the initial outlay for a WHV can be pricey. You need to pay the visa fees, airfares, and bring enough money to survive on until you find work. But if that’s what you really, truly, want to do, it’s worth it. Remember that you’ll be working once you arrive, so it’s not one long vacation. There is a paycheck in it for you.

Just between you and me, though – it can feel like one long vacation. Especially if you’re working in Australia.

3. What if I don’t find a job?

You might not LOVE your job, but you should be able to FIND one.

This was the number one question I got from people before I left. It’s legitimate, but extremely unhelpful. The real question you need to ask yourself is, “What if I don’t find the job I want? What kind of work am I willing to do?” If you’re open to fruit picking, bar work, and retail, relax. You will find a job. If you refuse to take a job that isn’t explicitly linked to your degree, sit down and reconsider.

The key thing to remember is that this is a working holiday. It’s not a career, even if some of us *ahem* pretend that it is. You must be flexible and persistent in your job search. Do something different. Don’t take yourself too seriously.  Have fun.

4. What if I don’t find an apartment?

My first flat in Galway, Ireland. Shared with an American & 2 Irish students.

Finding an apartment in a foreign country is surprisingly like finding an apartment at home. All you need is a little bit of patience and a cash deposit.

Okay, a lot of patience. Of course, I can’t guarantee that you’ll find a place; but I did it! In Galway, London (four times!), Coffs Harbour, Auckland, and Christchurch.

And if I did it, you can do it. Look in the papers. Talk to people in your hostel. Get on Google. You might share a studio apartment with someone else. You may share a house with strangers. You could find your own place. There’s no knowing how it will turn out, but don’t stress. It works out in the end.

5. What if I don’t meet anyone?

I met this guy within days of arriving in Auckland, New Zealand. See? Easy.

At first it was tough. I can be pretty introverted and had to force myself to start conversations with strangers. My friends at home actually told me afterwards that they’d been worried I wouldn’t talk to anyone.

But it got easier and easier. Suddenly, I was living with people I’d just met, going for drinks after work, and, well, making friends. I’m not going to lie – travel can be lonely, especially if things aren’t going smoothly. But give it time. You won’t be alone for long.

So what are you waiting for?

Travel can be frustrating. It leaves you wanting more no matter how much you’ve already had.  It gets in your head and under your skin to an almost obsessive point. When the travel bug starts a-biting it’s easy to feel like time not spent traveling is wasted time.

But with a slight change of attitude your downtime between trips can become almost exciting as traveling itself.   All you need to do is tap into the delicious anticipation of your next trip.  Where do you want to go?  When do you want to go?  How will you make it happen? Like any great event, the preparation can be half the fun.  Remember how much you enjoyed getting ready for Prom with your girlfriends or tailgating with your buddies before the big game?  This is your travel tailgate.

So how do you transform your lack-of-travel frustration into giddy anticipation?  Here are a few tips.

Throw a Pre-Travel Party

Who cares if your tickets aren’t quite booked yet?  Travel planning is the perfect excuse to get friends together and have some fun.  Make it a beach themed party if you’re hoping to soon jet off to the white sands of the Maldives, or a snow bunny party if you’re dreaming of visiting the Alps.  Serve up Margaritas at your Mexican themed party or vodka as you dream of faraway Russia.  Get yourself – and your friends – in the mood for travel with music, decorations and optional costumes that represent your next travel destination.

Set Reasonable and Measurable Travel Goals

Keep the travel planning process fun, not frustrating.  Set goals to save X amount of money in X amount of time, or to research the best places to stay by the end of the month – but make sure your goals are attainable.  Then treat yourself each time you reach one.  Managed to save $10?  Sounds like it’s time to reward yourself with by surfing a few travel sites and printing out some inspirational pictures of your destination of choice.

Push Yourself

Use your next trip to motivate yourself to do and learn new things.  Imagine yourself on the beaches of Costa Rica as you force yourself out of bed for that early morning run.  Envision yourself swirling through the streets of Buenos Aires as you finally get the guts to sign up for tango lessons.  Learn to kite surf, do origami or speak a little German before you leave to help make your trip all the more memorable.  You’ll be glad you did – and you’ll have a whole new reason to feel proud of yourself.

Enjoy the Cliché

Hoping to visit Beijing before the year is up?  Take yourself out for some Chinese food to daydream in style.  Looking to head to Cuba soon?  Spend next Friday salsa dancing the night away at the club in town.  Do the corny, cliché and fun things that get you excited to see a new part of the world.  Test out Ethiopian food at the local restaurant before jaunting off to Africa.  Watch cheesy romantic movies set in Paris before packing your beret and heading to France.

Your time between trips is an opportunity to dream, plan and enjoy the anticipation.  So go on, get excited and start that travel planning for your next adventure!

You don’t have to quit your job, give up your apartment and sell your worldly possessions to have an amazing travel adventure in 2011. And I’m not talking about just staying home for an adventurous “staycation” either. Here are three easy things you can do to right now to start working towards your 2011 travel adventure:

1. Make a reasonable budget. Probably the number one question we have about the trip is, how did you pay for it? We made a reasonable budget and we stuck to it. That’s plain and simple. In fact, we get asked this question so often that we’ve developed a free online budgeting tool called Doughhound.  Start saving money now and you’ll be surprised how much you can put away in just a few months.

2. Be flexible. Identify what kind of travel adventure you want to have- is it cultural? Is it to be out in nature? Is it to eat incredible food? Stay on an amazing beach? Whatever it is, identify the common and uncommon places to have those adventures. You want to go on an African Safari? Sure you can go to East Africa, but you can also DIY a safari for less money in South Africa. Be flexible with your destination; stay focused on what it is you want to do instead of the place.

3. Get a Passport. According to the State Department only 22% of American’s have a passport. That’s shocking. With fees increasing all the time, it’s cheaper over the long run to get your passport now. Plus, a passport is good for 10 years and you’ll be able to take advantage of that cheap travel deal when you see it. It can take a few weeks to process your passport, so don’t miss out on your travel adventure just because you didn’t plan ahead. Trust me, the expedite fees are steep.