Sunshine on a Dime

In this episode, Shandra brings listeners along with her as she plans her next solo trip to South America in January. In many senses, taking this time off is the opposite of what she should be doing right now and she sits down to explain why she made the decision anyways despite the fears and apprehensions.

In this episode Shandra recaps her experience buying a tent and spending a month camping in Italy. She dips into it all... the good, the bad and the stinky...

In this episode, Shandra recaps her experience couch surfing through Israel for a month straight. This means spending ZERO dollars on accommodation! It does come with costs though...

After another summer of impromptu travel (surprise surprise) through Israel and Italy, Shandra returns to the podcast studio at Boston University to welcome in another season of Sunshine on a Dime. She recaps a bit of her crazy summer and gives a sneak peek into what kinds of things to expect with the new season ahead.

In this episode Shandra is joined with Petra Udomprasert, a travel blogger, language educator, and slow traveler. Together they sit down to redefine slow travel (spoiler: it has nothing to do with time) and look at the reasons for why being more culturally conscious is essential to our planet. 

In this episode, a coincidentally sniffly Shandra unpacks the inevitable: getting sick or injured while abroad. With much experience, and many stories, she explains how best to avoid it, mentally prepare, and tackle it when sickness or injury comes while abroad.

In this episode Shandra is joined by Alex, a friend she met while traveling who has a lot to say about Couchsurfing. Alex explains the benefits of the lifestyle, tips for success, safety precautions, and many stories to tell from his experience hosting as well as meeting strangers through the site. This is another episode not to be missed!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @sunshinedimepodcast! 

In this episode Shandra introduces the idea of travel regret. She explains how it is possible to come home from a trip feeling fulfilled and free of potential regrets. She also teaches how to change thought patterns with some simple tricks. And finally, she reveals how it is possible to bend time and get ahead of regrets before they even happen.

On today’s episode Shandra interviews Jackie Paris, a licensed psychotherapist and world traveler. Jackie shares her extensive wisdom and breaks down the practice of maintaining a positive mental health while abroad, along with stories of her own adventures.

In this episode, Shandra breaks down a few tips and tricks about how to spend and save your money. She covers it all- before your trip, during your travels, and after you get home (where you hopefully have some money left!) 

On today’s episode, Shandra is joined by Anna, who gained fluency in Spanish through her study abroad experience in college. She now speaks it every day in her travels through Latin America. The two of them break down the process of learning any language, how essential it is to do it abroad, and crazy travel experiences along the way. 

In this episode, Shandra shares all of the secrets of hostel-hopping that she wished someone had told her before her first hostel experience. If you want to skip the trial-and-error of hostel-hopping, tune in to figure out how to navigate the world of hostels like a pro.

In this episode, Shandra interviews Shari, a friend she met abroad, about safety practices and cultural sensitivity while traveling. Together, they tackle subjects from scamming, strangers, theft and more while exchanging many stories to relate.

In our first episode back from a summer long hiatus, Shandra reveals where she recently traveled to, and what that trip meant for her. She also discusses the lead-up to becoming a young solo traveler, and why she chooses to prioritize travel as a full-time student. Stay tuned for lots more exciting content to come!

In this episode, Shandra is joined by Hannah Baron, a fellow BU student. Hannah spent a month backpacking after studying abroad in Europe, and her whole perspective on travel and the Western-working mentality changed forever. Listen in to learn about how to travel during and after a semester abroad, and how one trip can change your whole outlook on college, career and beyond.

In this episode, Shandra reveals the most important thing that a traveler has to do before planning a trip with friends. She also explores some of the travel dynamics between partner and group travel.

In this episode, Shandra explains some misunderstandings about solo travel and reveals some of the hidden perks that come along with traveling alone. She walks through her realizations during her first solo trip and relates this to a new mindset entering into future adventures. So listen in this week for a firsthand account of someone who never expected to love traveling the world on her own!

For every reason that you say you can’t travel… Sunshine on a Dime will explain how and why you actually can. Embark with Shandra Back, a full-time college student and any-time traveler as she shares stories, interviews other travelers, and provides tips and resources to break down any barriers holding you back from buying that ticket. It doesn’t matter the budget, agenda, or whether or not you have a companion, listen in and get excited about all the adventure that awaits.

For episode 3, Shandra and her travel companion Deva break down the travel essentials (and non-essentials) that they learned from their first trip together. This episode is truly packed with stories, insights and many lessons learned, so listen in and get your bags ready!

In this episode, Shandra is joined by full-time traveler Marine, who she met at her first work exchange. Together, they break down the ins and outs of work exchanges, along with some crazy Costa Rica stories and tips for living abroad.

In SOAD's first ever episode, Shandra breaks down the three most common reasons why people say they can’t travel, and explains how and why it actually is possible for anyone.