Randy from MTV's "Real World San Diego" shared his travel expertise with students Tuesday night at the Union.

As part of STA Travel's Europe Night, the MTV cast member and STA representatives gave students looking to travel abroad tips on how to make their experiences worthwhile.

"I don't think I've known anyone who has traveled to Europe or gone on vacation where it hasn't been a positive experience in their life," Randy said.

The 24-year-old Art Institute of Boston graduate has been to places such as Europe, Hawaii and Jamaica.

"I realized a while ago that I had been to more countries than I have states," Randy said.

Randy advised travelers to be prepared, meet with a travel agency and talk with locals while on the trip.

"You can read books, you can check Internet sites, but more importantly, coming into the office is a really good start," Randy said. "Just take the time to be prepared so you get the most out of your experience. The rest, you can just wing it."

While Randy doesn't know any foreign languages, he said it hasn't been a barrier for him.

"As long as you're always apologetic and patient and understanding and very courteous when you try to communicate to someone else in English, they're always willing to meet you more than halfway."

Since finishing the show, Randy has been doing everything from promoting clubs to giving lectures at colleges.

No-preference freshman Christine Carmichael went to Europe Night because she is going to Greece in five weeks for a study abroad program with the Department of Social Science.

Since Randy went to Greece with the Real World cast, Carmichael wanted to hear about "how to save money, places to go and things to do as a young person there."

Students also came to sign up for a chance to win a trip to Europe.

"Changing your life up for any amount of time, whether it's four months or taking a vacation, it opens up perspectives and makes you take time out to look at yourself," Randy said, "you're not around your normal friends or job, so you have time to step back and make judgments about yourself, change some things and work on some things; that's definitely what happened to me."