Plus, I get to experience all kind of great people, food and culture in the meanwhile. 

I'm looking for someone is willing to advise/ teach/talk and share their past experiences. 

I'm happy to share my investment and lending experience.

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.

And should I get a degree or any academic qualification to have more experience and knowledge about real estate?

Just my personal opinion - get a mentor or a person who already has good experience running STR business, preferably in your area (but not 100% required). 

@Thomas Farrell if you have any experience managing property/construction projects, I would look in to flipping properties and keeping the once that you see an acceptable cashflow on when finished.

Here are some key takeaways from our experience flipping homes and running a renovation business in San Diego.1.

I do NOT have enough knowledge or experience in this arena to provide specific “how to” accomplish this, or even to provide specific”proof” of my position.  

I am keen to learn from the experiences of seasoned professionals and collaborate with fellow investors who share a passion for real estate.