Students: If you've yearned to travel abroad, this may be your opportunity.

The Miami Herald is awarding one local student a trip to Europe, with help from American Airlines and Rail Europe.

The Miami Herald's Student Backpacking Experience will include:
  • Round-trip economy airfare from South Florida to Europe, based on availability, courtesy of American Airlines (www.aa.com; 800-433-7300).
  • A first-class rail pass good for any 10 days in two consecutive months in 18 countries, compliments of Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com; 888-382-7245).
  • $500 to help with lodging, food and other expenses.

The winner will keep a trip blog that will be published at www.MiamiHerald.com/travel, and will submit a short essay at the end of his or her journey detailing the trip highlights.

To enter, write an essay of 150 words or fewer, telling us why you want to go on a summer backpacking trip and how you think it will affect your life or change your perspective. Submit the essay via the form below. Alternatively, you can mail your essay to The Miami Herald's Student Backpacking Experience, P.O. Box 01-2169, Miami, FL 33101; be sure to include your e-mail and day and evening phone numbers. Limit one entry per person. All digital entries must be received by Feb. 15, 2008; mail entries must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2008 and received by Feb. 22, 2008.

Entrants must be between 18 and 25 as of May 1, 2008. They must be enrolled full or part time in a public school or other accredited academic program. For complete rules, see accompanying box.


For official rules, Click Here.
"Due to a typographical error and in fairness to those contestants who may have relied on the erroneous information, the contest submission period is extended and will end on February 24, 2008, at 11:59p.m. (ET). Mail-in entries must be postmarked by February 24 and received by March 2, 2008."
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