What do you want to obtain out of your experience abroad? In short, think about what the goal of your travel is: to have fun and visit new places, to work or volunteer abroad, or to study abroad.
Explore your options. There are many programs that can get you abroad if what you want to do is volunteer or work -- such as the Peace Corps or Teaching Assistantships. If you want to study, many universities abroad accept foreign students, or you might apply for a Fulbright scholarship to pursue research opportunities abroad. If you want to travel for fun, there are tours geared towards young people, or you can travel with your backpack and little more.
Save money. Whichever path you choose, it will cost some money. Start saving as soon as you can. Cut down on your daily expenses: making your coffee at home instead of buying it from a coffee shop could save you at least three and a half dollars a day. After six months of saving, you will have saved quite a bit.
Go for it. If you choose to work, volunteer or study abroad, start preparing those applications, which is sometimes a lengthy process. This will be the first step in making your dream a reality. If you opt to travel independently, start taking care of flight details, accommodation, visas and itineraries. If you don't already have a passport, apply for one.
