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They followed up rather repeatedly when my holiday was soon to start. They made sure I was ready and gave me information and numbers to call when I travel. The lodgings were great, they did a good job.

Date of experience : September 14, 2022

Thank you Samantha and TravelbyJen staff

Thank you Samantha and the travel by Jen staff. The trip was wonderful and the accommodations were top notch, the people of Costa Rica are amazing. Will definitely use this company for my travel needs!

Date of experience : August 03, 2022

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You can't afford not to.

No more staring down the rabbit hole and getting lost in booking sites. With just a few pieces of information from you, I can give you options that have been vetted. No more guessing. I take care of all of the details for you so you aren't waiting at the airport wondering what comes next. Stop spending hours and hours trying to do it yourself. Sit back. Relax. I got you. 

Create core memories for your family to reminisce on for years to come. Let me worry about the details of your trip. You focus on the fun!

Make sure you are putting time into your relationship. What better way than to spend some one-on-one time away from it all. 

My travel planning covers all the details. Your next trip will be seamless. All you have to do is pack.

With a little information from you to get started, I can have options for your next trip within 48 hours. 

The world is your oyster. Making sure the destination fits your want and budget is top priority.

Hi, I'm Jeni

Travel for me is about making memories. I love planning and details. The little touches that take a trip to the next level- I am here for it. But first and foremost, I am a wife and a mom. Chris and I have been married for 10 years and we live with our daughter in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana.  We love exploring new places and finding those out of the way treasures wherever we go. Becoming a travel agent was a way for us to see more of this beautiful creation that God has given to us. Learning how to navigate the travel industry has been fun. I really enjoy helping my clients to explore places they have been dreaming about. 

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• Section 5 - Influenza
• Section 5 - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome / MERS

Japanese Encephalitis

Cdc yellow book 2024.

Author(s): Susan Hills, Nicole Lindsey, Marc Fischer

Infectious Agent

Transmission, epidemiology, clinical presentation.

INFECTIOUS AGENT: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus

Asia and parts of the western Pacific

TRAVELER CATEGORIES AT GREATEST RISK FOR EXPOSURE & INFECTION

PREVENTION METHODS

Avoid insect bites

Japanese encephalitis is a vaccine-preventable disease

DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Flavivirus and is closely related to dengue, West Nile, and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses.

JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, primarily Culex species. The virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and amplifying vertebrate hosts, primarily wading birds and pigs. Humans are incidental or dead-end hosts because they usually do not develop a level or duration of viremia sufficient to infect mosquitoes.

JE virus is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of encephalitis in Asia, occurring throughout most of Asia and parts of the western Pacific. Transmission principally occurs in rural agricultural areas, often associated with rice cultivation and flood irrigation. In some areas of Asia, these ecologic conditions can occur near, or occasionally within, urban centers. In temperate areas of Asia, transmission is seasonal, and human disease usually peaks in summer and fall. In the subtropics and tropics, seasonal transmission varies with monsoon rains and irrigation practices and might be prolonged or even occur year round.

In endemic countries, where adults have acquired immunity through natural infection, JE is primarily a disease of children. Travel-associated JE can occur among people of any age, however. For most travelers to Asia, the risk for JE is extremely low but varies based on destination, accommodations, activities, and duration and season of travel.

Before 1973, >300 cases of JE were reported among soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Russia. During 1973–2020, 88 JE cases among travelers or expatriates from nonendemic countries were published or reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since 1993, when a JE vaccine became available in the United States, only 13 JE cases among US travelers have been reported to CDC (1993–2020).

The overall incidence of JE among people from nonendemic countries traveling to Asia is estimated to be <1 case per 1 million travelers. However, expatriates and travelers who stay for prolonged periods in rural areas with active JE virus transmission might be at similar risk as the susceptible, pediatric resident population, which is 6–11 cases per 100,000 children per year. Travelers, even on brief trips, might be at increased risk if they have extensive outdoor or nighttime exposure in rural areas during periods of active transmission. Shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers whose visits are restricted to major urban areas are at minimal risk for JE. In some endemic areas, few human cases occur among residents because of natural immunity among older people or vaccination, but JE virus is still maintained locally in an enzootic cycle between animals and mosquitoes. Therefore, susceptible visitors could be at risk for infection.

Most human infections with JE virus are asymptomatic; <1% of people infected with JE virus develop neurologic disease. Acute encephalitis is the most recognized clinical manifestation of JE virus infection. Milder forms of disease (e.g., aseptic meningitis, undifferentiated febrile illness) also can occur. The incubation period is 5–15 days. Illness usually begins with sudden onset of fever, headache, and vomiting. Mental status changes, focal neurologic deficits, generalized weakness, and movement disorders might develop over the next few days. The classical description of JE includes a parkinsonian syndrome with mask-like facies, tremor, cogwheel rigidity, and choreoathetoid movements. Acute flaccid paralysis, with clinical and pathological features like those of poliomyelitis, also has been associated with JE virus infection. Seizures are common, especially among children. The case-fatality rate is ≈20%–30%. Among survivors, 30%–50% have serious neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric sequelae.

Common clinical laboratory findings include mild anemia, moderate leukocytosis, and hyponatremia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) typically has a mild to moderate pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance, slightly elevated protein, and normal ratio of CSF to plasma glucose.

Suspect JE in a patient with evidence of a neurologic infection (e.g., encephalitis, meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis) who recently traveled to or resided in an endemic country in Asia or the western Pacific. Laboratory diagnosis of JE virus infection should be performed using a JE virus–specific IgM-capture ELISA on CSF or serum. JE virus–specific IgM can be measured in the CSF of most patients ≥4 days after symptom onset and in serum ≥7 days after symptom onset.

Plaque reduction neutralization tests can be performed to confirm the presence of JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies and to discriminate between cross-reacting antibodies from closely related flaviviruses (e.g., dengue virus, West Nile virus). A ≥4-fold rise in JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies between acute- and convalescent-phase serum specimens can be used to confirm recent infection. When interpreting laboratory results, clinicians must consider vaccination history, date of symptom onset, and information regarding other flaviviruses known to circulate in the geographic area that might cross-react in serologic assays.

Humans have low levels of transient viremia and usually have neutralizing antibodies by the time distinctive clinical symptoms are recognized. Virus isolation and nucleic acid amplification tests are insensitive in detecting JE virus or viral RNA in blood or CSF and should not be used for ruling out a diagnosis of JE. Contact the state or local health department or CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (970-221-6400) for assistance with diagnostic testing. See instructions for submitting CSF and serum specimens to CDC for testing.

No specific antiviral treatment for JE is available; therapy consists of supportive care and management of complications.

Personal Protective Measures

Travelers can best prevent mosquito-borne diseases, including JE, by avoiding mosquito bites (see Sec. 4, Ch. 6, Mosquitoes, Ticks & Other Arthropods ).

One JE vaccine is licensed and available in the United States, an inactivated Vero cell culture–derived vaccine, IXIARO, manufactured by Valneva Austria GmbH. IXIARO was approved in March 2009 for use in people aged ≥17 years, and in May 2013 for use in children aged 2 months through 16 years. Other inactivated and live attenuated JE vaccines are manufactured and used in other countries but are not licensed for use in the United States.

Indications for Travelers

Based on each traveler’s planned itinerary, assess the risks for mosquito exposure and JE virus infection and discuss ways to reduce these risks. Advise all travelers going to JE-endemic countries of the importance of personal protective measures to reduce the risk for mosquito bites. The decision whether to vaccinate should be individualized and include consideration of the risks related to the specific travel itinerary, likelihood of future travel to JE-endemic countries, the high rate of death and disability when JE occurs, availability of an effective vaccine, the possibility but low probability, of serious adverse events after immunization, and the traveler’s personal perception and tolerance of risk.

Travel location, duration, activities, accommodations, and seasonal patterns of disease in the areas to be visited each influence risk for exposure. Interpret the data in Table 5-14 cautiously, because JE virus transmission activity varies within countries and from year to year, and surveillance data are often incomplete. Additional information on factors that increase risk is provided in Japanese encephalitis vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices .

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends JE vaccine for people moving to a JE-endemic country, longer-term (e.g., ≥1 month) travelers to JE-endemic areas, and frequent travelers to JE-endemic areas. Consider JE vaccine for shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers with an increased risk for JE based on planned travel duration, season, location, activities, and accommodations. In addition, consider vaccination for travelers going to JE-endemic areas but who are uncertain of specific destinations, activities, or duration of travel.

ACIP does not recommend JE vaccine for travelers with very low risk itineraries (e.g., shorter-term travel limited to urban areas, travel that occurs outside a well-defined JE virus transmission season).

Table 5-14 Risk areas & transmission season for Japanese encephalitis (JE), by destination 1,2,3

1 When making decisions on vaccination, consider destination and transmission season information in association with travel duration and activities.

2 Data are based on published and unpublished reports. Perform risk assessments cautiously; risk can vary within areas and from year to year, and surveillance data regarding human cases and JE virus transmission are often incomplete. In some endemic areas, human cases among residents are limited because of vaccination or natural immunity among older people. Because JE virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle between animals and mosquitoes, susceptible visitors to these areas still might be at risk for infection.

3 Outbreaks previously occurred in the Western Pacific Islands of Guam (1947–1948) and Saipan (1990), but these are no longer considered risk areas and are not included in the table.

Efficacy & Immunogenicity

No efficacy data are available for IXIARO. The vaccine was licensed in the United States based on its ability to induce JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies as a surrogate for protection. In pivotal immunogenicity studies, 96% of adults and 100% of children developed protective neutralizing antibodies 28 days after receiving a primary immunization series of 2 doses administered 28 days apart. In a trial among adults aged ≥65 years, 65% were seroprotected at 42 days after the 2-dose primary series. An accelerated primary series of 2 doses administered 7 days apart was studied among adults aged 18–65 years and was noninferior to the conventional dosing schedule.

In a study where a booster dose was administered to adults at 15 months, 96% of subjects were still seroprotected ≈6 years later. In a study conducted among 150 children in a JE-endemic country who received a booster dose at 11 months, 100% were seroprotected at 24 months after the booster dose.

Administration

The primary vaccination dose and schedule for IXIARO varies by age ( Table 5-15 ). To administer a 0.25-mL dose, expel and discard half of the volume from the 0.5-mL prefilled syringe by pushing the plunger stopper up to the edge of the red line on the syringe barrel before injection. For all age groups, the 2-dose series should be completed ≥1 week before travel.

Table 5-15 Administration information for the inactivated Vero cell culture–derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Ixiaro

Abbreviations: IM, intramuscular; mL, milliliter

1 Administer a booster when potential for Japanese encephalitis virus exposure continues (e.g., repeated travel to endemic areas).

Booster Doses

A booster dose (third dose) should be given at ≥1 year after completion of the primary IXIARO series if ongoing exposure or reexposure to JE virus is expected.

Limited data are available on the use of IXIARO as a booster dose after a primary series with the mouse brain–derived inactivated JE vaccine. Three studies have been conducted, 2 in US military personnel and the other at 2 travel clinics in Europe. Results showed that among adults who had previously received at least a primary series of mouse brain–derived inactivated JE vaccine, a single dose of IXIARO provided good protection through 12–23 months.

Safety & Adverse Reactions

IXIARO was licensed in the United States based on safety evaluations in almost 5,000 adults. Since licensure, >1 million doses of IXIARO have been distributed in the United States without any identified safety concerns. Local symptoms of pain and tenderness were the most reported symptoms in a safety study among 1,993 adult participants who received 2 doses of IXIARO. Fatigue, headache, and myalgia were each reported at a rate of >10%. In children, fever was the most reported systemic reaction in studies. Serious adverse events are reported only rarely.

Precautions & Contraindications

A severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of IXIARO or any other JE vaccine, or to any component of IXIARO, is a contraindication to administration of IXIARO. IXIARO contains protamine sulfate, a compound known to cause hypersensitivity reactions in some people.

No studies of IXIARO in pregnant people have been conducted. Pregnancy is a precaution against the use of IXIARO, however, and in most instances, clinicians should defer vaccinating pregnant people. Further discussion (including the possibility of delaying travel) is merited before recommending vaccination to the pregnant person who must travel to areas where the risk for JE infection outweighs the theoretical risk from immunization.

CDC website: Japanese Encephalitis

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Susan L. Hills, Nicole P. Lindsey, Marc Fischer

Bibliography

Deshpande BR, Rao SR, Jentes ES, Hills SL, Fischer M, Gershman MD, et al. Use of Japanese encephalitis vaccine in U.S. travel medicine practices in Global TravEpiNet. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014;91(4):694–8.

Dubischar KL, Kadlecek V, Sablan JB, Borja-Tabora CF, Gatchalian S, Eder-Lingelbach S, et al. Immunogenicity of the inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine Ixiaro in children from a Japanese encephalitis virus-endemic region. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017;36(9):898–904.

Dubischar KL, Kadlecek V, Sablan B Jr, Borja-Tabora CF, Gatchalian S, Eder-Lingelbach S, et al. Safety of the inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine Ixiaro in children: an open-label, randomized, active-controlled, phase 3 study. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017;36(9):889–97.

Hills SL, Fischer M, Biggerstaff BJ. Perceptions among the U.S. population of value of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination for travel to JE-endemic countries. Vaccine. 2020;38(9):2117–21.

Hills SL, Walter EB, Atmar RL, Fischer M. Japanese encephalitis vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68:1–33.

Jelinek T, Burchard GD, Dieckmann S, Buhler S, Paulke-Korinek M, Nothdurft HD, et al. Short-term immunogenicity and safety of an accelerated preexposure prophylaxis regimen with Japanese encephalitis vaccine in combination with a rabies vaccine: a phase III, multicenter, observer-blind study. J Travel Med. 2015;22(4):225–31.

Jelinek T, Cromer MA, Cramer JP, Mills DJ, Lessans K, Gherardin AW, et al. Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated Vero cell–derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine (Ixiaro, Jespect) in a pediatric population in JE non-endemic countries: an uncontrolled, open-label phase 3 study. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2018;22:18–24.

Paulke-Korinek M, Kollaritsch H, Kundi M, Zwazl I, Seidl-Friedrich C, Jelinek T. Persistence of antibodies six years after booster vaccination with inactivated vaccine against Japanese encephalitis. Vaccine. 2015;33(30):3600–4.

Rabe IB, Miller ER, Fischer M, Hills SL. Adverse events following vaccination with an inactivated, Vero cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the United States, 2009–2012. Vaccine. 2015;33(5):708–12.

Ratnam I, Leder K, Black J, Biggs BA, Matchett E, Padiglione A, et al. Low risk of Japanese encephalitis in short-term Australian travelers to Asia. J Travel Med. 2013;20(3):206–8.

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Joshua Expeditions

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High quality, Christ-centered student educational travel engaging the world by inspiring purpose, developing leaders, and sharing Christ.

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We provide Christian global opportunities that will challenge individuals to consider God’s purpose in their lives through international site talks, incredible nature excursions, or simple intentional conversations.

We provide global mission opportunities that will examine an individual’s character, expand their perspective, and challenge them to greater leadership as they develop a greater understanding of the world through travel.

We provide global opportunities for individuals to engage others with the Gospel. Individuals are challenged to take a spirit of humility and love as they serve under local ministries to advance the Kingdom through travel.

WHAT TRAVELERS ARE SAYING...

This was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on!! I can definitely say it was life-changing.

I loved that JE planned most of the meals to focus on the local cuisine. It was a great experience!

I love this organization! It makes planning so easy and we have never been disappointed.

Thank you for your faithfulness in serving Jesus through this wonderful ministry of student travel. I highly recommend JE!

JE is Christ-centered and they understand the importance of training students to have an eternal perspective.

The trained guides of JE have led with such excellence that our students have been encouraged to share Christ.

I’ve traveled with JE for the last nine years and I would not imagine traveling with any other company.

JE’s depth of knowledge, logistics, and well-trained guides are why I don’t take trips with any other company.

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Travel by Jen

Review Highlights

“ I will definitely book my next vacation with Deb and have been recommending their services to everyone. ” in 5 reviews

“ She recommended a terrific cooking tour while in Costa Rica and it ended up being the highlight of the trip. ” in 67 reviews

“ She was very patient with me and she was very knowledgeable about the resorts in the Dominican Republic . ” in 32 reviews

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3037 Lawson Blvd

Oceanside, NY 11572

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348 reviews

They are the worse customer service ever. I've only called to asked for quotes and the rep was super rude also left on hold forever.... I'll be happy to take my money elsewhere. .. I'll spread the word too--- I wish there was a -1 star

Nick Paone. was a really cool and laid back dude. I spoke to two different people before and they were extremely rude. so I chosed nick. However , im not able to checkin online in Alaska airlines because they didn't send me the confirmation code and my flight is Sunday which means I can't contact them since they're closed for the weeknd. I really hope my flight goes through and everything works out but I have a lot of anxiety at the moment. Please have costumer service everyday !!

This is a review of the travel agency and not an actual trip. I had purchased a Groupon for the All-Inclusive Viva Wyndham V Heavens (6 days/5 nights) in DR. I read the reviews for Travel By Jen so I was a little nervous about calling in to book my vacation. (I had previously booked with another agency and I was on hold forever.) I was expecting to be on hold for an hour or so. However, Sue picked up within ten minutes and she is such a sweetheart! She found a nonstop flight from JFK, which is a ten minute drive from my house. The departing flight is Sunday morning and the returning flight is Friday evening, maximizing our much-needed vacation time. *hand praise emoji* lol She made booking this vacation so effortless and stress-free. I was on the phone for LESS THAN 30 minutes! She was super nice and made herself available to any and all of my needs leading up to the trip. Sue also assured me that she would touch base a while before the trip. Probably, the only downside was that there were no transfers from the airport to the hotel (and from the hotel to the airport) so I had to pay out of pocket. I believe it was worth it, though. I'm always on Yelp reading reviews and rarely writing one. So great customer service in booking the trip!

Terrible customer service. It's a total scam. I was in contact with Dawn, not only was she rude but she also messed up my flight time, and gave me and the van transport agency wrong times, so i ended up in an airport 5 hours away from the resort. Their emergency number is just a number because nobody answers the phone.They still owe me $225 for the transport that i paid myself since Dawn couldn't even do her job right and there was no one at the airport to pick me up. I will sue this company for not giving my money yet. Legal fees are sure more than $225 but at least i will do a favor to the society for this scam their conducting. Even one of their employees when on the phone said: The packages are trash that's why i was having trouble. Why are you even in business?!!

I just booked our vacation with Sue. So far, so good. She was very helpful in getting it all put together. Looking forward to some sun and sand!

I recently went on the all inclusive Viva Wyndham V Heavens Groupon with Travel by Jen to the Dominican Republic. I had read the reviews beforehand and was a little skeptical to buy a Groupon deal through them but after my experience, I had to review--I had an amazing time! The accommodations were great for the price. I did have a 2 hour wait time from start to finish on the phone when trying to book and had to pay an additional $100/pp to book the flight times we wanted, and as Aneesa E. notes, the airport was an hour from the hotel which was another $100 taxi ride but overall, for a 5 night / 6 day trip totaling under $850 (with the add'l expenses) it was incredible. We loved the Viva Wyndham V Heavens resort and would definitely recommend this deal and Travel by Jen for offering it to us!

Had multiple problems trying to get ahold of anyone for questions. Horrible customer service. Definitely use a different travel agency.

TLDR: TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BOOKING - Look at the yelp reviews for the hotel you will be staying in, knowledge is power - Set aside 2 hours - Book by phone and skip Groupon -Get your agent's extension number - And most importantly... BE NICE!! These agents are on the phone ALLLLLLL DAY, imagine the calls they get. Be a good call I decided to call the agency BEFORE buying the Groupon deal to Cancun to avoid any confusion. I waited about an hour for someone to answer, which I was ready for thanks to the reviews and I was connected with an agent named Tim around the 50-minute mark. Tim was very nice and stayed on the phone with me for an additional hour. He priced flights out of multiple cities for me, gave me arrival time options and because I was flexible, he was even able to get me on a non-stop flight with Southwest for the price I saw on Groupon. I was able to book everything over the phone and received my flight information within minutes of hanging up. Sure, the process took 2 hours, but I didn't have to do any of the leg work and I am definitely saving money. I priced this trip out myself to make sure I was getting a deal and I am receiving almost 50% of by booking through this agency. I will update in 4 months when the trip is over UPDATED: Trip was awesome! No problems whatsoever, didn't have to contact the agency after booking.

We traveled with Travel by Jen after purchasing a Groupon for an all inclusive in Cozumel. While I understand that you're getting a "deal," it doesn't excuse the poor customer service we experienced while working with the representative, Sue, throughout our transaction. There was an error made in booking our return transfers from the island to Cancun airport. One that left us waiting 45 minutes for a transfer, only for us to call the local company directly, to learn that it was booked incorrectly. This forced us to pay $50 for a taxi (when all transfers should have been pre-paid) and running very late for our international flight. Because of the hustle, we failed to retrieve a receipt. And while Travel by Jen can confirm that we were not booked properly, nor were we able to take the transfer we were expecting, they will not reimburse us. Perhaps worse is that we traveled in May, and after exchanging multiple emails and now following up after a month passing since the last email - it's radio silence. Under no circumstances would I recommend this agency, no matter what the "deal" is that they can offer. It is not worth the headache. All of that being said - I do want to reiterate, that the individuals we encountered while on our trip were lovely. Any stress we had was a direct result of the poor service provided by this travel agency. Steer Clear.

I almost booked with Travel by Jen until I spoke with Sue. She was rude and unhelpful, only cared about taking my cc number rather than carefully planning my trip. I couldn't even ask all the questions I wanted to ask because she was so short and snappy. She seemed impatient and borderline scam artist. When I asked about the flight details for my boyfriend and I she cut me off with, " are you ready to book?"... keep in mind this was the first question I asked. Second I asked, what if my dates aren't listed? She replied, " it'll be more expensive" and her tone was very snobbish. She mentioned she was from New York and suggested I give her call when I'm ready to book. I told her I was ready to book but I need full disclosure on the details. Then, she said so bubbly, "since money isn't an object...I can just look for anything!" I told her I'm not interested in getting crazy with spending, I just want to know that what I'm paying for will be worth it. So, basically I ended up asking only 2 questions as one became a revolving door(sketchy) so I just ended the call.

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JE Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

A Gen Xer who got $250,000 in student loans forgiven said he can now finally start saving for retirement — and consider his dream of studying in India

• Joel Lambdin, 49, received $250,000 in student-loan forgiveness in January.
• It's a result of the Education Department's one-time account adjustments.
• Lambdin said the relief would allow him to save for retirement and consider long-term dreams.

Joel Lambdin finished graduate school in 1998 — but as a professional musician, he was hardly making enough money to pay off his student loans and other bills.

So Lambdin, now 49, said his only option to make ends meet was to put his student loans in forbearance — in which he was not making payments but interest was still accumulating .

"It was just so that I could subsist, so that I could survive," Lambdin told Business Insider. "With the hope that at some point, I would be making enough money that I would be able to take them out of forbearance and start paying them down."

But he grew to realize that the only way he could make a significant dent in his student loans was by switching careers. He didn't want to do that because he loved working in music, so he decided to keep his larger student loan in forbearance and begin paying off his smaller loan with a lower monthly payment.

He continued making those payments until the pandemic pause on student-loan payments , at which point he and his wife started making a plan of action to tackle the larger debt once the pause ended. That led them to discover the Education Department's initiative allowing some borrowers a one-time account adjustment . It lets the department evaluate borrowers' accounts and update payment progress toward forgiveness on income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, including any payments made during a forbearance period.

That account adjustment led to a letter Lambdin received on January 31, reviewed by BI, from his student-loan servicer Aidvantage. It said: "Congratulations! The Biden-Harris Administration has forgiven your federal student loan(s) listed below with Aidvantage in full."

For Lambdin, that letter meant his $249,255 outstanding student-loan balance was effectively wiped out.

"It had started to feel like my fate was being decided for me by the cold hand of finance," Lambdin said, "and that was a weight that I didn't realize was there until it wasn't there."

He added: "The feeling was much more like putting down a backpack that was really full of books that you got used to. And then you put it down, and you're like, 'Oh, man, that feels so much better.' It's more like that, rather than sort of a jump-for-joy kind of situation."

While Lambdin is still working to determine what exactly the relief will mean for him and his wife, he said, discussing retirement is "a much more present conversation now" because contributing to savings is viable after the relief. He can also begin to look into buying a home.

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The Education Department continues to cancel student debt through its one-time account adjustments, a process it plans to complete this summer. Most recently, the department wiped out $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers , some of whom benefited from the adjustments.

Beyond financial goals, Lambdin said the relief was also allowing him the freedom to pursue some of his long-term dreams, including taking a sabbatical to study with his meditation teacher in India.

"It's something that I wouldn't have been able to even consider doing if we had to pay off student loans, but without them, it's something that I can really seriously consider doing," he said. "And so those are the kinds of things that I think get really lost in the monetary side of the conversation about debt relief."

'I've been really lucky'

While Lambdin said he felt as though he earned the relief given his decades of payments, he recognized that it's not that easy for many other borrowers.

For example, as BI has previously reported , some borrowers who might qualify for relief through different repayment programs may not have gotten it yet because of paperwork backlogs and administrative errors. On top of that, funding for federal student-loan servicers is strained — meaning many borrowers face hourslong hold times and cannot get clear answers from customer service regarding their payment progress.

"There are some real horror stories out there, and I've been really lucky in that I haven't experienced the kinds of shenanigans that other people have experienced," Lambdin said. "So I actually feel very lucky that things have transpired the way they have."

Some of those horror stories include inaccurate payment projections and delayed billing statements . When it comes to student-loan forgiveness, some borrowers told BI that their servicer made a mistake with the forgiveness , reinstating their payments months later.

The Education Department has said it's aware of the challenges borrowers face and has established an accountability framework to punish servicers when they fail to fulfill their contractual obligations.

The department is also in the process of crafting its new plan for student-loan forgiveness — it recently released the draft text of the rules , which included relief for borrowers with unpaid interest and those who have been in repayment for at least 20 years.

As for Lambdin, he's still figuring out how to approach life without student debt hanging over his head. But now he can consider various options, and he can thank the loan forgiveness for that freedom.

"There's a certain amount of waiting for the other shoe to drop because it's not that I don't trust that it's happening but just that the debt has been with me for so long, and then it's not there," Lambdin said. "And it's something that I think really takes some getting used to."

Watch: Biden announces who can have $10,000 erased in student loans

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10 Apps That Will Make The Most Of Your Vacation In 2024

I f you've ever spent time at a networking event, made small talk at your kids' soccer games, or scrolled through a dating app, you'll know that "travel" is something almost everyone will tell you they enjoy. Couple that with an attachment to our smartphones that borders on co-dependent, and it's no surprise to learn that travel apps are a hot commodity. Some of the best innovations in travel come in the form of apps. Staying in touch with people at home, travel planning, staying organized on the road, or connecting with other travelers? Not only is there an app for that, there are many apps for that. 

To help you sort through the plethora of what's out there, here are some travel-ready apps to make your vacation a blast. We've sourced suggestions from people who travel for a living and those who leave their local area only rarely, so no matter how often you jet-set, there is an app for you.

Read more: 12 Smart Gadgets You Didn't Know Existed

If your cell plan doesn't include international roaming, you can get slammed with steep fees for using mobile data outside your own country.

There are a few ways to get around roaming charges, including buying a local SIM card for the country you are traveling in, using a Wi-Fi stick , or investing in a dual SIM phone, like those from Samsung, Apple, or Google. One of the easiest and cheapest options though, is an eSIM app like Airalo . Airalo was one of the first in the eSIM game and continues to be popular with travelers. Fans of the app point to how easy it is to download and get started quickly, and how much it saves in fees. On the other hand, some users have noticed a discrepancy in how well it works in different countries. One reviewer on TrustPilot states "We do NOT recommend this plan given the extremely poor performance in Vietnam" despite noting excellent service in Hong Kong. 

Airalo is a paid service, available on the App Store and on Google Play.

Google Maps is often the default app travelers reach for when navigating new territory. It's a trusted resource for a lot of reasons, including the ease of finding reviews and info for even very small businesses. But it's not the only map app out there, nor is it the best in every situation. The main advantage of Maps.me over Google Maps is that it is based on user-generated information. Particularly for folks who are getting around on foot, this "boots on the ground" approach is excellent and more direct than reporting problems to Google Maps . It also means that if you find a cool place on your travels and want to make sure other travelers can find it, you can add it to a map.

Like Google Maps and other useful way-finding apps, you can download maps and bookmark points of interest for offline use, although the background information on locations is not as robust as on Google Maps. Maps.me also allows you to access various modes of transportation while offline, which Google doesn't. 

Maps.me is free to download and available from the App Store and from Google Play.

Cash's position as king is increasingly precarious. On your travels, you'll find cashless options in places you might not expect. The mass availability of mobile payment platforms like Square means you may be able to whip out your phone or card at Swiss coffee carts or Mexican street vendors. Wise (formerly Transferwise) lets you move between currencies seamlessly. Wise lets you operate in 40 currencies, which is particularly handy if you are traveling to several different countries. They advertise charges that are less than the major banks. However, some users have complained about complications with money transfers, so be forewarned if you intend to use this app for sending money. 

Of note to travelers is the option to get an actual bank card that can function as an international debit card with a nominal conversion fee (not all bank cards can pay by debit in countries other than your home base.) Or, save a step and scan your phone to pay from your Wise account. 

Wise is available on the App Store and from Google Play. There is no charge to download the app, but fees are charged for some banking activities.

If you are going to be traveling from place to place on your vacation, you will want the Rome2Rio app on your phone. Enter your destination and departure location, and the app spits out the options and approximate costs for each leg of your journey. For instance, if you are in Edmonton, Canada, and want to get to the Thai island of Ko Yao Yai, the app will suggest six options, labeling the best, cheapest, and fastest combination of flight, minibus, and ferry. You can't purchase tickets through the app, although there are links to book accommodation that take you to Booking.com. Being able to purchase travel fares through the app would make things easier, especially if they were offered in a package, but the absence of that feature means you can investigate and compare prices from different booking operators , so we are putting it in the win column.

Rome2Rio is free to download and available from the App Store and from Google Play.

Rick Steves Audio Europe

Rick Steves is recognized as a top voice in travel guides. His down-to-earth approach to travel has endeared multitudes of followers to him, spawning an industry of books, television shows, and a sprawling web presence that features how-to guides, articles, and an active travelers' forum. On top of all that, he has a free app for self-guided walking tours through many of Europe's top sights called Rick Steves Audio Europe . Reviewers of the app give it a high rating (4.7 on Google Play and 4.3 on the App Store) using superlatives like "This app is GOLD," and comparing the quality of the tours to paid audio tours. On the downside, it is difficult to sync the app on multiple devices, so if you are in a group you may all be at slightly different parts of the tour, which can be mildly annoying. There are a bunch of tour sites, with more added periodically.

The audio tours and accompanying maps are downloadable, so you don't need to worry about burning through mobile data or needing to rely on Wi-Fi. Rick Steve Audio Europe is free to download and available from the App Store and from Google Play.

How many trips come vividly back to life in your mind just by thinking about that one excellent bowl of Cacio e Pepe pasta or sun-drenched sip of a Paloma? Exploring a place through its flavors and discovering new spots to eat is a beloved part of travel. In Europe, TheFork (the French version is called LaForchette) is the go-to app for crowd-sourced restaurant reviews. Previously, the app also covered Australia, but at the start of 2024, it was announced they will be pulling out of Oz.

You can find Michelin-starred restaurants with months-long wait lists or little hole-in-the-wall spots by searching the name of the eating establishment, the city or neighborhood you want to eat in, or the kind of cuisine you are craving.

The app is worthy of its space on your phone just for the restaurant listings and reviews, but if you want to explore more of the capabilities, there are ways to expand its usefulness. You can make reservations, register to collect points, access discounts and specials at select spots, and pay through the app. TheFork is free to download and available from the App Store and from Google Play.

Looking for a little love on the road? The Fairytrail app might be the ticket to romance (or ROAMance) you are looking for. Aimed at digital nomads and van life devotees, the app is a nice addition to the dating lives of travelers of all stripes. Members are evaluated and assigned a fairytale character similar to enneagram-slash-Myers-Briggs personality types, which is a new and novel approach compared with other iPhone dating apps or Android dating apps .

Because the app is focused on people with nomadic lifestyles, matches are location-independent. The idea is that users of the app will be willing to travel to each other to meet and date. There is a setting that allows an extra layer of matching: dream places to visit. If you so choose, before chatting with a match you need to have an overlapping "bucket-list" destination. Previously, this was an unavoidable step but became an optional setting after it was changed in response to frustration expressed by reviewers. The app is being redesigned in 2024 and soliciting feedback from users. Stay tuned, it seems more happy endings are in store! Fairytrails is free to download with in-app purchases and is available from the App Store and from Google Play.

Price Scanner And Converter

A very unpleasant aspect of vacationing in another country is coming home to a shocking credit card bill. Part of the problem is the tendency of holidaymakers to spend like money isn't real, but the other problem is how difficult it is to calculate prices into your own currency. Sure, you can come up with shortcuts to do quick math, but that gives you an estimate rather than an exact cost. To help, there are many different currency converter apps out there, with features like real-time rate calculation and offline capability. The somewhat clunky-named Price Scanner and Converter takes it one step further by using your phone's camera to scan prices and display them automatically in your preferred currency (out of 150 global currencies.) New iPhone cameras also have a similar capability, but it isn't as seamless a process as using this app.

This price scanning app isn't presently available on Google Play, although there are similar apps to be found. The reviews are pretty overwhelmingly mediocre, so if you are on team Android, your best bet may be to download a regular currency converter and enter in prices the old-fashioned way.

Downloading the Price Scanner and Converter is free from the App Store.

Searching through your emails for confirmations and itineraries isn't an efficient way to access your travel information. And good luck if you have used your work email for some of your planning and your personal email for others. What if you are offline when you need to find your tour details? Nightmare fuel. Tripit has created a simple user experience, allowing you to forward all those endless travel planning emails to be arranged into an easily accessible itinerary in a single spot, which you can access from any of your devices.

Other features of this include the ability to load PDFs, QR codes, and other travel documents to your Tripit travel folder. There are helpful navigation tools, like airport maps, neighborhood safety ratings, and nearby places. You can share your travel plans and sync them to your calendar. For $49 a year (or a free 30-day trial) you can upgrade to Tripit Pro for enhanced travel aid, including notifications to help keep you on track and on time. 

Tripit is free to download from the App Store and from Google Play, and you can upgrade to the premium Tripit Pro on the Tripit website or in the app.

Mobile Passport Control

The latest app from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol goes by the wildly creative name, " Mobile Passport Control ." It's a no-nonsense app with a no-nonsense name that allows users to streamline the customs experience. Rather than filling out declarations forms, users enter their information into the app and send it to border officials so they can access it as soon as they get to customs. You can do this immediately upon arrival, say as your plane is taxiing to the gate.

The app is for United States citizens and Canadians with a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa who are entering the USA at one of 33 American airports, 11 preclearance sites, and four seaports. It works in tandem with your passport, but it doesn't replace it.

As a bonus, some sites allow those with the Mobile Passport Control app to use their own (almost always shorter!) line or expedited Global Entry lines at passport control. You can enter family members on the same app and there is no approval process, just download and go.

A previous iteration of the app had a premium, paid version, but this is no longer the case. The app is free on the App Store and Google Play.

Read the original article on SlashGear .