t seems that traveling abroad has become a tendency. In Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), two travel clubs Yun Chuxiu and Zhui Feng also had several outward journeys these years.

“Hoster was a seaman who had retired from St. Petersburg and worked here after divorcing. After a vodka, we talked much. About wars, about poems and also about love,” said Yao Tianyuan, a senior student in SISU majored in Russian studies, who traveled Russia with Zhui Feng. “He lighted a cigarette in the street, wearing an overcoat, and told me why Russians loved smoking but never dropped cigarettes. Because Russians understood the real meaning of their culture, they thought they represent Russia and they loved their country.”

Yao said Hoster also asked them to write six Chinese characters: “ I fight for justice” (我为正义而战) and wanted to tattoo them on his back and shoulder. Yao moved when recalling this experience.

Chen Tian, Zhui Feng’s core member, said traveling abroad was not more meaningful than home, but they could have more challenges and meet more difficulties, it was these uncertain things that made their journeys unforgettable.

Except Russia, Yun Chuxiu and Zhui Feng also went to Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia and other countries. More and more students join them. Why outwards journeys become so popular?

The originator of “Xin Lvdong” in Shanghai University of Political Science and Law who called himself Ingo said with development of society, more and more people have the aspiration to go abroad. Besides, at home there were too many tourists which made places crowded, so people preferred traveling abroad.

Chen Xin, a teacher who began a course called Outdoor Leisure Sports, thought now people’s economic conditions improved so they could afford the travel costs. However, Chen thought university students should earn money by themselves instead of using their parents’ money.

Although traveling abroad is exciting, there are many problems like traffic, languages, illness and so on. So safety is a crucial issue.

Xu Jie, Yun Chuxiu’s former president, said before they went to a country, they would inquiry local medical conditions. Leaders of a group would know where hospitals were. Also, they would take medicine themselves, so they could deal with some emergencies.

Chen advised that students would better sign a disclaimer in case of accidents. He also said students should invite professional guides to keep them safe,

Wang Weichen, a teacher from SISU Law School, said no matter students choose what kind of way to travel, they must buy insurance. “Traveling abroad is a complicated thing, many uncertain things would happen, students should protect themselves,” Wang said.