Tips For Traveling Abroad for the First Time
If you are planning a trip to another country, you are likely to be excited and scared. Not only will you get to see all the tourist attractions of the country you are visiting, but you will also get to experience a new culture, eat exotic food, and meet people who have had different life experiences than yourself.
You only hope that those people find you interesting, that you know what is in the food you are eating, and that you do not commit to an embarrassing cultural faux pas. You also hope that you remember to bring everything that you will need to be comfortable when you travel.
There are a few tips that will make your first trip to a foreign land easier.
Make Sure Your Passport is Up to Date
There is nothing worse than planning a trip, only to find out that your passport will not arrive in time for your trip. You should apply for your passport well in advance. It can take about two months to get your passport in the mail. You may want to apply three months before your trip just to be on the safe side. According to Eva-Marie Berry, If you are unable to wait that long, you can expedite your service for $60.
The vast majority of post offices have passport services. Remember that you will not be able to wear hats or glasses in your passport photo. It usually costs around $170 for your passport card, book, and acceptance fee.
Do You Need a Visa?
Some countries require a visa for travel. A visa is a conditional authorization to enter a country or territory for a specific amount of time. To get a visa, you can fill out forms online or go to the local consulate of the country you wish to visit.
Call Your Bank and Creditors
As worthwhile as traveling abroad can be, it can also be dangerous. Travelers often fall victim to both street and cybercrime. You will want to call your credit card companies and your bank and let them know your itinerary. Check your bank’s website daily to make sure that there is no unusual activity.
Packing Tips
Minimalism is the key to packing for a trip abroad. Unless you are on a mission or joined the peace corps, there will be laundry machines at your destination, so you don’t need to take that many clothes. However, depending on the airline, you may have to pay extra for check-through luggage.
The heavier the bag, the more you will pay. However, you shouldn’t need more than two pairs of jeans, a pair of dressy black slacks, and a few weather-appropriate shirts. If you need to dress up on your trip, you can bring jewelry and a nice blouse to go with those fancy pants.
You should bring a travel adapter for your laptop and other devices. It is also a good idea to bring shower caps along. You can wrap your shoes in them to keep dirt from getting on your clothes.
It is never a good idea to be cheap when selecting luggage. You should always travel with a weather-resistant, sturdy bag.
Traveling can be thrilling and nerve-wracking. But, with a bit of advanced planning, it will be an experience you will remember forever.
An area that is becoming increasingly popular with international travelers is teaching the English Language as you go. It is an excellent means to earn as you go and you can do this by getting qualified to teach with The TEFL Academy.