In 2012 after being in New York for a week I had a four-week long visit with my family in Vineland, New Jersey and used the time there to do diverse short trips both on my own as well as with my family. These trips went to Philadelphia, Cape May, Atlantic City, Ocean City and Hershey. In the following some impressions of all this places.

Ocean City - New Jersey

The boardwalk of Ocean City. Short after it was all gone by a tornado and I saw pictures of this wheel in the ocean.

Atlantic City - New Jersey

Casino time... Not my thing I have to admit.

Cape May - New Jersey

We four girls took a ride with this one.

Relaxing at the sea.

Vineland - New Jersey

This is where I spend most of the hot days and nights with the kids when the rest of the family had to work.

Hershey - Pennsylvania

Renaissance fair with the kids.

Exploring the Indian Echo Caverns.

Philadelphia - Pennsylvania

Japanese Gardens with family.

South Street.

The liberty bell.

How to travel as a student?

I'm not born in a wealthy family. Thus, I had the luck that the brother of my great grandmother moved to the USA decades ago. We still are in brief contact with our far relatives, most living in Vineland, New Jersey. That way I could stay with them most of the time for free and all my different relatives presented me their favorite places or cities nearby. I loved to see parts of the USA through their eyes. This also saved me a lot of money. Therefore, my student job savings could sponsor my journey to New York, Miami and other cities on my own. I always stayed in hostels, eat a lot from bakeries, supermarkets and only eat in restaurants every once in a while, for something special. I spend some of my budget on entrances to attractions or special activities. As transportation I use local transportation if needed, if possible, I walk a lot. I had a flight forth and back and one down to Miami. The flight to the USA was sponsored by my granduncle who wanted me to deepen the contact to our relatives. I was lucky that he gave me this opportunity. For all the other trips I did use greyhound bus, which is a cheap and convenient method to travel in the USA. That way I was able to be far from home for as much as six weeks.