Links:

www.statravel.com - a student travel agency found in most countries around the work with cheap tickets for students, teachers, and youth (which includes anyone under the age of 26!)

www.citstravel.com - good discount travel site and you don't have to be a youth or student.

www.vfp.org - "Volunteers for Peace" is an organization that sets up Americans (you should be able to find similar organizations for you if you're not American) with volunteer camps all over the world of all types and lengths at a cost of at least $250 that includes free room and board: a great was to meet locals and fellow international volunteers. The site is really fun to navigate and explore and the people who run it are cool fans of Stranger in a Strange Land Newsletter!

www.wwoof.org - "Willing Workers on Organic Farms" is an organization with branches in many countries around the world that hooks up volunteers with organic farmers to work for free room and board and cultural exchange. It's a great way to get your feet on the ground and experience a country more intimately than most tourists.