We’ve already featured a few entries to STA Travel’s World Traveller Internship and now we have the application of Emma Sparks for your viewing pleasure.

A student from the University of Warwick, Emma studies English and French, and her language skills are evident in her application. Another talent she shows off in her video is her dancing, and that’s not too shabby either. As she says,

“Only interest that equals my passion for travel? Dancing. I’m happy – as long as I’m moving.”

When it comes to documenting her experience she should be more than capable too, as the article Life and loves in Paris that she penned for The Warwick Boar (her University rag) shows. Good candidate? You be the judge…

Myself, Fran & Siobhan spent Saturday immersed in all things travel related at the Adventure Travel Show Live. After presenting to a diverse audience our STA Explorer programme and the World Traveller Internship (WTI) we had a few chats and gave out our goody bags to excited, budding nomads hoping to apply for the WTI and become STA Explorers.

After, Fran went and saw some of the talks and spread the STA travelbuzz word, whilst Siobhan and I went to check out the different travel stalls. First off was drinking Kava, the traditional Fijian drink, with Ben Keene from Tribe Wanted and Dylan (@travellingeditor). The Kava was mixed together by a very authentic looking Fijian and we all had to clap before we received our drink and then clap again after. It was hard to do so when we were almost gagging from the taste (think trees mixed with mud). However, after 3 cups of that and a very numb mouth, we set off giggling like school girls to chat to the STA Travel team who were all working hard giving out information on various deals and offers currently on while answering any questions people had about specific destinations.

We also spoke to the guy on the Mali counter, who taught us about classic Mali music before we made our way to the Healthy Travel talk with Jane Wilson. She taught us how to successfully remove a tick (grab it by the teeth and yank it out). The appropriate clothing to wear (tie trousers at the bottom over your boots to avoid bites and leeches). And how to get over a bout of diarrhea (LOTS of water and eat if you feel hungry).

From there we met Toni, our newest explorer, and we chatted all about her up coming travels. The previous evening had seen her meet a bunch of people to discuss her trip and she has already arranged to meet people while travelling and partake in a little couch-surfing!

All in all a great day!

Hitchhiking may immediately set of alarm bells for some, especially those familiar with the work of Rutger Hauer. However, we’ve met a few individuals, including former Lonely Planet writer Robert Strauss, who reckon it’s great. Also among these is Dylan, or the Travelling Editor to give him is Twitter name. Sad at the belief that it is becoming ‘a lost art’, he’s put together his top tips on hitchhiking,

“Tested and road-proof, here’s my version of ten nudge-nudge-wink-wink’s on how to not only have a successful hitchhike, but also a emotionally and spiritually satisfying one.”

The tips are great fare for anyone tempted by getting from ‘here’ to ‘there’ by standing roadside and sticking up a thumb. I think my favourite tip among Dylan’s pearls of wisdom is ‘Minimal Planning’. He makes hitchhiking sound so simple, and maybe it is,

“You begin from origin A and you end up in destination B. Sweet as. Now drop the fretting, stop scrawling red lines all over your map and take yourself to spot A.”

Apparently the unpredictability is what it is all about. So what you waiting for, read Dyl’s tips and see where you can get to for free. Paul Smith, the Twitchhiker, got from Newcastle to New Zealand no less! It’s all quite exciting – maybe we should do a STA travelbuzz hitchhike? If you fancy giving it a go be sensible, stay safe and make the world your playground.

Last night the annual Travolution Awards ceremony took place at the luxurious Dorchester, and STA Travel left the proceedings at the close gleefully clutching the Award for Best Use of Social Media.

“Once again, STA Travel is a leading light in this area, ensuring that it engages people in as many of the relevant channels to its target audience as possible. Most importantly, customers engage with one another AND the brand.”

Did you notice the ‘once again’, yup; we won it last year too! As a big part of what STA Travel do within the online social space, we’re delighted about this and hope you are to as we couldn’t have done it without you! So a big thanks to all those that have got involved with all the things we’ve done, from the meet-ups to the 30^th birthday celebrations, whether an STA Explorer or travel pal of Travelbuzz – Thanks!

Obviously we’re looking to continue this upward trend and we’ve got a few big plans in the STA Travelbuzz pipeline, so if you want to get involved then simply send an email or drop us a tweet, we’d love to meet you.

*update* After re-reading this morning I thought I should also mention STA Travel won it the year before last, making this one our hat-trick

This Thursday passed and saw, at a super special location (well a pub in Covent Garden), the second STA Travelbuzz Meet-up! And to say the evening was a roaring success would be, well, a gigantic understatement.

Once again, armed only with our mascot Pete, our charm and a host of exciting things we’re doing with STA Travel we waited for our guest list to arrive – and arrive they did.

We had STA Explorer’s past and present, STA staff members and a varied collection of individuals all with a love of travel – Some of whom had found us via our STA Travelbuzz meet-up.com page, where the evening has been receiving some rave reviews.

As the evening progressed there was chat on all sorts of things travel related, from climbing Kilimanjaro in the coming week (one guy was actually doing this!) to the Polish rail network. Pete the Giraffe caused quite a stir as usual; especially on the trip to the venue, as did my circulating among all attendees and coercing them into doing a piece to camera on their dream destination.

For more of the visual from the evening take a look at our photos on the STA Travelbuzz Flickr account. To make sure you don’t miss the next one get in touch with Cam through email or @statravelbuzz.

Yup, the last Thursday of August is nearly upon us. That means STA Travelbuzz meet-up number two!

As with our first meet-up we’ll be securing a spot in a London pub and inviting travel fans to come share a beverage and have a chat about exploring this little green and blue orb we occupy. We’ve already got a guest list including STA Exlplorers past and present and an STA Travel £10 Pom. Oh, and the first round is on us!

It’s all happening Thursday 27th August beginning at 19:00. If you’re a lover of travel and active (or interested in getting active) online, then get in touch with Cam. Peruse the site at you leisure to see the sort of things we get up to and if you’d like to be involved, it’d be great to see you there! Pete, our unofficial mascot, is a glorious sight and will be there too. Almost worth the trip out in itself!

The desire to categorise is a strong one and is something Nomadic Matt is well aware of. Recognising this and having witnessed many species of the backpacker he has asked the important question – what type of backpacker are you?

He’s split the double strapped, self burdened globe trotter into eight clearly identifiable types – Spiritual, Hippie, Gap Yearer, Partier, The Couple, The Better Traveller, ‘Remember When’ and finally the Flashpacker. Now obviously, the trick is to pick out which one you are… here at STA Travelbuzz, I’d suggest Col is definitely The Hippie,

“Not wanting to be held down by the man, the hippie can be found wearing fisherman pants, dreadlocks, lots of necklaces with a distinct “I haven’t showered in two days” smell.”

As for myself, although it pains me to admit it,

“Flashpackers have set out to see the world on budget but have no plans to eat pasta in hostels or sleep in 20 bed dorms.”

Anyway, click through to Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site and find out where you fit into to the spectrum. And in case you were wondering, like many commenter’s on his article, where Matt fits in,

“To answer everyone’s question: I’m a proud flashpacker.”