There is nothing more exciting than planning a trip abroad. The thrill of a world of new sites, sounds, and tastes is alluring. Then, you land. To hit the ground running on your exotic adventures, here are 8 tips for smooth sailing (or flying) overseas.
Documenting Your Travels
It goes without saying, but do document your trip. However, what we are actually talking about here are your travel documents.
Make sure your passport is up to date, and this means more than 6 months from expiration. There are countries that will deny entry when the passport is due to expire soon. The State Department has lots of great information on passports.
Money, Money, Money
Check with your bank, but most chip-enabled plastic (almost all debit and credit cards these days) will work overseas. It never hurts to notify your bank anyway, so that they don’t flag overseas transactions for fraud.
It also never hurts to have some good hard cash on hand. Obviously, you don’t want the bulk of your travel funds in physical money, but some pocket change is a good idea. Almost all international airports, both here and abroad, have exchange desks, but you will probably get a better deal at your own bank.
How To Medicate
This one is easier, unless you get sick or hurt overseas. It is highly unlikely that would happen, but it case it does, you should look into travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Make sure any policy you take out covers transport back to the United States.
Check with your own health insurance first, but travelers usually need to take out a separate policy. It is also important to stock up on necessary medications; pharmacies abroad may not carry the same medicines, prescriptions or OTC. Also, familiarize yourself with emergency services and numbers wherever you are going.
What’s Happening?
While unlikely, emergencies and natural disasters do happen. Keep an eye on the news, and the State Department provides up to date alerts for all international locations. It is also valuable to keep a list of contacts for all U.S. embassies and consulates on your itinerary.
Shocking Culture
Culture shock is a real thing. If you are going overseas, you will be in a place with a different set of rules and customs. It is important to research and prepare for what to expect. For many travelers, this is the joy and adventure of traveling. Others find it harder to adjust, so preparation is key.
The food scene varies from country to country. Being open-minded helps, but try visiting a local grocery store after your arrival. This is a great way to find a few things you are familiar with.
It’s usually not hard to find someone who speaks English, but it is helpful to learn some key phrases in the local language. There are even mobile apps you can download to help translate.
Learning To Communicate
Language has already been covered; this is about using the extensive communication apparatus you are probably bringing from home. Phones and laptops will no doubt come in handy, so bring electric adaptors designed to fit the grid wherever you are visiting. Check with your mobile service provider for overseas plans. If it is affordable, a data plan will come in handy for maps and information. Finally, if you plan on accessing your favorite American sites, you may need to invest in a proxy service, or VPN.
Mapping Your Trip
This one is dependent on whether you will a data plan. If you are purchasing an international plan, then your map apps will be readily available, and very helpful. If you won’t have access to data, then it’s easy to find hundreds of guidebooks for sale, or you can download maps online.
The Jet Lag Cure
Jet lag is, for most travelers, the worst part of any trip. Sadly, there isn’t actually a cure for jet lag, but there are ways to minimize its impact. It’s impossible for many travelers to sleep on an airplane. When you arrive, tough it out that first day. Your instinct, and weary body, may draw you to bed, but the entire rest of your trip hinges on your ability to get into the local time zone. Also, be sure to drink lots of water while inflight. Planes are notorious for their dehydrating effects.