This first-time travel abroad advice will get you off on the right foot! Have you ever wished to visit a country other than your own? Have you ever wanted to travel to Africa or Asia, or someplace else where you could be immersed in a new culture? If you haven’t travelled outside of your nation yet, now is the time to do it! Travelling appears to be a fantastic concept and an exciting method to discover components outside of your regular comfort zone. It can, however, be a frightening experience, especially for first-timers.
If you’ve ever travelled around your home nation, you know how exciting it is to see new sites and try new things. When it comes to your first time travelling abroad, it’s daunting to think of misunderstandings due to a language barrier, cultural values that are diametrically opposed to those back home, and feeling unusually disoriented in a location you’ve never visited before. Going abroad is a completely different experience than travelling domestically.
Don’t be concerned. After your first trip abroad, you’ll become accustomed to the sense of culture shock and learn to manage it whenever you visit a new location. Along with your first experience flying abroad alone, being prepared ahead of time will be one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’ll feel more at peace when you leave for your first trip abroad if you follow these basic recommendations for travelling abroad for the first time:
Follow these guidelines for first-time international travellers.
1. Make sure you have your passport and check to see if you need a visa
Your programme provider most likely already informed you, that you must have your visa and passport in order prior to your leaving. The procedure of applying for a passport can take a long time and can take several weeks to arrive, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Make sure your passport has been properly handled before you begin booking flights and lodging. A passport number is frequently required when booking foreign flights and hotels.
Once you have your passport, scan the identity page and make copies. Allow a family member or trusted acquaintance to hold one sheet while you travel, and keep another copy in your wallet. The reason you should maintain one for yourself is that when you check into a hotel, the hotel may keep your passport for the duration of your stay to ensure that you have paid for your stay and to protect it from being stolen. (However, hotel rooms occasionally have safes where you can store your passport.
Check whether destinations on your trip will require a passport check since some attractions will require you to bring your passport. A visa may also be necessary, depending on how long you’ll be staying and which nation you’ll be visiting. A visa is a piece of paper provided by a country that allows you to go there. Your provider will have information on the application process, but there are also excellent resources available online.
2. Learn about the country’s culture, programme alternatives, norms and traditions, and language
In addition to the introductions and resources provided by your programme, you should conduct extensive research when making plans for your first trip abroad. Accessing message boards or Facebook groups for your programme and speaking with individuals who have already visited there will help you learn more about the country.
Always check with your programme to see if they can supply you with accommodations such as housing and meals. Find out if you need to exchange any currencies before you go, what the local conventions and traditions are to get a sense of the culture, and perhaps learn the basics of the language(s) spoken there. Knowing how to say “hi,” “bye,” “thank you,” and “where’s the bathroom?” is always useful. Fortunately, there are now tools like Google Translate that can help you quickly translate languages. Always strive to be as understanding of other people’s cultures as possible.
As you use your bank cards, check with your bank to determine if you need to set up travel alerts. As a result, your bank will be notified that you have left the country, and they will not block your account due to what they perceive to be unusual charges. Enquire with your bank regarding foreign fees and whether your next destination has any partner banks. Using your credit card can result in significant fees.
Check with your programme to see if there are any resources available that they recommend for getting to know your host culture. Articles suggested reading lists, and even popular music groups from your destination are examples of these resources. On sites like TripAdvisor, Travel Channel, and Matador Network, you may conduct extensive research.
3. Be familiar with the procedures in order to stay safe and avoid disappointment
One goal of conducting research before travelling abroad is to be prepared and open your mind to avoid disappointment. Determine your level of comfort. Can you cope with heavy traffic, pollution, waste, unfamiliar environment, poverty, or language barriers? Do you enjoy going to the mountains, cities, or beaches? Your expectations will remain realistic if you investigate all of the possibilities and types of places you’ll encounter while travelling abroad.
When visiting a new nation, it’s critical to always be cautious of your safety. Your programme will most likely go over disaster and other emergency safety protocols with you, but having street-smart information is also important. To avoid pickpockets, keep your senses heightened at all times. While going around, keep your bags and wallets secure. When walking, avoid wearing anything overly flashy or extravagant, and keep your money hidden. If at all feasible, secure your credit cards and other valuables in a safe.
The combination of wandering around a new environment and a language barrier can make things feel even more awkward, putting you in danger of “wrong place, wrong time” situations. To avoid fraud, make sure you have your travel schedules, hotel details, and tour guides booked ahead of time. Share this information with a trusted family member or friend so that, just in case, someone knows where you should be.
4. Don’t overpack and carry some useful technology
Overpacking is a typical blunder. However, packing light will make travelling overseas a lot easier. You’ll be able to effortlessly carry your stuff up a flight of steps, and getting on and off public transportation will be much easier. Determine how many days you’ll be there and adapt your packing accordingly.
Pack enough clothes to last the duration of your trip (and remember that doing laundry overseas is an option), and check the weather forecast for the country you’re visiting. Arriving in Bali with a parka would be a disaster. Avoid overpacking because it will help you leave room for necessary stuff like your prescriptions, technology, and some keepsakes.
Bringing a portable battery for devices will be a lifesaver on your trip. Don’t expect WiFi to be available everywhere, as it is in many nations, particularly in underdeveloped countries. But, hey, it’s always wonderful to disconnect now and then! If you truly require WiFi for communication, you may get it through portable WiFi routers as well.
Check with your phone company about using your data while travelling abroad and how much it will cost. If your phone enables it, you might want to consider purchasing a SIM card when you arrive in your new country. They cost normally under $20 on a prepaid card; advise your phone carrier that your present phone number should be forwarded to a new one.
Power adapters are also necessary to purchase before travelling abroad. They aren’t always simple to get by unless you’re in a popular tourist destination, so taking one with you will spare you the trouble of looking for one while travelling. You might be able to find one in your country or online for a much lower price than in other places.
5. Get travel insurance!
“What if I get harmed or sick?” is a common concern among first-time international visitors. Because anything can happen while travelling, it’s critical to plan ahead for medical bills. Receiving medical care outside of your own country can be costly, and some healthcare providers may need payment in advance. Travel insurance with emergency medical benefits, on the other hand, can cover those fees, as well as emergency medical transportation charges. Your travel insurance may cover the price of transporting you home if your accident or illness is beyond treatment at your destination.
Apart from becoming harmed or sick, there are many additional things to consider when travelling abroad. If you are delayed for an extended period of time, travel insurance can compensate you for any additional accommodations needed during your trip. When an emergency arises, many Americans contact the US Embassy for assistance, but they can only do so much.
Financial losses, medical treatment, emergency transportation, lost baggage, and cancelled or delayed flights can all be covered by travel insurance. Compass Student Insurance and CareMed provide affordable coverage for a variety of ailments, making them ideal for students, interns, and professionals that travel via programme providers.
6. Understand how to cope with jet lag
Along with the stress of culture shock and the planning that comes with flying abroad, jet lag may be a pain to deal with (thankfully, we have 12 ways to beat jet lag to the punch!). Even though it may be tempting, avoid napping on your first day abroad.
Get some rest before your trip to avoid jet lag. Drinking enough of water during your travel can also help you avoid jet lag. You should also try to relax on your first day in your new location; booking too many trips or activities will almost certainly result in burnout or energy breakdowns. In the long run, it’s always better to give yourself some time to ease into things until you’ve totally overcome jet lag.
With so many factors to consider while travelling internationally for the first time, you’ll find yourself more willing to travel with confidence and gain enough experience to travel from one country to the next. You might even find that knowing you’ll have the most gratifying experience abroad thanks to your programme has given you a lot of peace of mind! You will travel like an expert after practising and being careful of these guidelines for going abroad for the first time.
