Campus life to van life

Virginia Tech student, Becca Halm, has big plans for

her life after college.

 

By: Phoebe McLaughlin  

Published: October 25, 2021 

 

 

As a junior at Virginia Tech, Becca Halm has been thinking

about her plans for after graduation. While other students

may go directly into a 9-5 job, Halms has other plans. 

 

Halm’s love for travel started at a young age. Her

grandparents took her on trips, as far as Canada, which

fueled Halm’s itch for traveling the world. In the past years,

she has been on countless trips with her mom and boyfriend. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                       Photo: Phoebe McLaughlin 

 

This past summer, Halm and her boyfriend traveled to California on their first trip by themselves. Visiting populated areas such as Los Angeles and Orange County, Halm began thinking about how she could incorporate travel into her life after graduation. This is when her idea to live from a van came to light. 

 

“So, I watched some van Youtubers, and some of them are pretty honest about that after a while it does kind of get to you, being in such a confined space,” Halm said. “I would want to do it to save money because I don’t want to stay in a hotel alot if I were to do it. I’d want to stay in the van or pitch a tent. I don’t want to do it and get annoyed with it.” 

 

When relying on a van to get you across the country and to provide you with water and a toilet, there is normally a lot of preparation involved. Halm is currently saving up for a van or even a small bus that will be her first big purchase after graduation. Halm plans to renovate the van because the idea of fixer-upper excites her, as long as she has the funds for it.

 

Along with travel, Halm is very passionate about sustainability. The other main reason for her plans to live in a van is because she wants to live a minimalist lifestyle. For the past year or two, Halm has been changing aspects of her life to become more minimalist. 

 

Once Halm’s van is complete she plans to take trips, only a week or two at a time, to Wyoming and other national parks across the country. Her boyfriend and mom would accompany her for her first few trips until she feels comfortable braving a trip or two alone. 

 

“I think it would be rewarding to see myself in such a small space and do well in it,” Halm said.

 

Although Halm’s plan is different from others, it looks promising for an adventurous soul who is passionate about her travels.