We have two handsome young men in our family, my stepsons… haha. The oldest is 26 and a student at the University of Washington. The other is 19, a part time film student, who recently lost his job due to the closure of a national retailer. Like most students and young people these days, they have a desire for the latest styles and technologies, but have a budget that is limited. So what do younger consumers and students have in common and how can it be used to help them get what they need and desire? There is an organization and program to help. The organization is the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) and the program is the International Student Identification Card (ISIC). The ISTC was founded in 1949 and is officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Normally I am skeptical of such claims. When I checked the FAQs on the official UNESCO website I found the following regarding UNESCO, ISTC and ISIC. “The International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) was formed 50 years ago to further the needs of student travellers. Today the Confederation represents specialist student travel organizations in 100 countries serving millions of students and young people. For over 30 years, the ISTC has provided the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and now also the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) to help young people travel on limited budgets. They are now held by almost 4 million students (mostly college and university) and young people worldwide. These cards provide access to cheap and flexible travel worldwide, and to a world of cultural opportunities and benefits and discounts aimed at making travel a more meaningful and enriching experience. UNESCO endorses the ISIC and the IYTC and recognises them as unique documents for youth and student travel and cultural exchange. Since 1968, the ISIC Association has maintained a close relationship with UNESCO and together they promote student travel, cultural exchange and international understanding.” -- UNESCO.ORG This lead me to investigate more about the benefits of the ISIC and IYTC. Since my stepsons are both half pinoy and enjoy international travel I thought this sounded like a perfect thing for them. First, the ISIC and IYTC are internationally recognized identification cards. Second, and maybe more importantly, these cards are internationally accepted discount cards. Holders of these cards can receive discounts on travel, food, accommodations and general merchandise from Boulder to Boracay and Pasig to Paris. These are discounts from major retailers and service providers both online and in person, like Macy’s, Target.com, Hard Rock Café, and Amtrak. There are just too many discounts at too many places to list here. All I know is that this card should be in the pocket of any student or young traveler to help make the budget go further. Either the ISIC or IYTC costs $22 and is valid for 1 year. Mom and Dad should put one of these in the hand of their young traveler/student before they leave home.

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