Spring Break
JumpBorders.com provides travel advice, photo albums for students
MARLEE WAXELBAUM
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Variety
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With almost one in three students studying abroad by the time they graduate, the University is home to quite a few Lonely Planet addicts and world travelers.
For all of those sky mile junkies, there's a new way to get the up-to-date scoop on the best and worst of student destinations.
Prague, Czech Republic
London, England
Madrid, Spain
Paris, France
Rome, ItalyJumpBorders.com, the fledgling travel Web site made by students for students, features interactive inputs and outputs by students from across the country who are traveling around the world.
Facebook meets planet Earth as members (membership is free) have the ability to upload pictures, post on city-specific discussion boards and pick their best and worst on everything from bars to hostels.
"We really like to focus on the student-oriented stuff, not the luxury hotels and five-star restaurants," said Nick Gregorios, a JumpBorders.com director of strategy and development and founding member of the Web site.
Created by five University of Richmond graduates, JumpBorders.com is the product of several experienced study abroad students recognizing the need for more current, applicable travel information.
"What we noticed was a shortage of firsthand information from students," said Gregorios. "You have your typical travel guides, but at the same time, who wants to lug around a two pound book? We wanted to help students make the most of their time while abroad and the way to do that is get information from students."
Not just a place for students to get information, other travelers also can use the site as an online scrapbook of sorts. Gregorios said JumpBorders.com "is a good way to help people who will be in your situation in the future, as well as have a journal for yourself, parents and friends."
Still, the site is far from perfect. The bountiful features on JumpBorders.com make it almost difficult to navigate, and with just under 700 members, many popular student destinations lack coverage.
"We just launched last fall so we're constantly changing and improving," said Gregorios. "This is a site that's still in its infancy. We're only looking to grow."
For all of those sky mile junkies, there's a new way to get the up-to-date scoop on the best and worst of student destinations.
TOP-RATED CITIES
Prague, Czech Republic
London, England
Madrid, Spain
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Facebook meets planet Earth as members (membership is free) have the ability to upload pictures, post on city-specific discussion boards and pick their best and worst on everything from bars to hostels.
"We really like to focus on the student-oriented stuff, not the luxury hotels and five-star restaurants," said Nick Gregorios, a JumpBorders.com director of strategy and development and founding member of the Web site.
Created by five University of Richmond graduates, JumpBorders.com is the product of several experienced study abroad students recognizing the need for more current, applicable travel information.
"What we noticed was a shortage of firsthand information from students," said Gregorios. "You have your typical travel guides, but at the same time, who wants to lug around a two pound book? We wanted to help students make the most of their time while abroad and the way to do that is get information from students."
Not just a place for students to get information, other travelers also can use the site as an online scrapbook of sorts. Gregorios said JumpBorders.com "is a good way to help people who will be in your situation in the future, as well as have a journal for yourself, parents and friends."
Still, the site is far from perfect. The bountiful features on JumpBorders.com make it almost difficult to navigate, and with just under 700 members, many popular student destinations lack coverage.
"We just launched last fall so we're constantly changing and improving," said Gregorios. "This is a site that's still in its infancy. We're only looking to grow."
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