So, it’s your very first time traveling outside of the country you call home. Congratulations to your inner adventurer. There’s a certain wanderlust deep inside everyone and yours is about to fulfill that desire! Before you hop on the plane, here’s a some great advice about what you need to know when it comes to traveling as a newbie.
Do Your Research
Before you travel to a country, it’s pretty important to know about that country. That’s why you should research the country in which you’re traveling to. Here are a few things you should research about the country and answer:
- What’s the currency?
- What are the culture rules/regulations for clothing?
- What are the best places to visit while there?
- What form of travel will you use while there? (Bus, taxi, train… etc)
- What is the language spoken, and are there common phrases you can learn quickly?
You should feel more comfortable with traveling to the country once you know a little more about it. The more you know, the better. You can never over-research a country.
Soak Up the Culture
One of the first thing you might experience in another country is the culture shock. Every country has its own lifestyle. You are going to a place where the common and normal is unfamiliar to you. Shopping is different. Eating is different. Communicating is different. Prepare yourself for a new culture so you won’t be shocked when you get there.
While going international for the first time can be scary, it’s also a lot of fun! Take in the culture, even if you go through shock. Enjoy the music, and get up and dance. Take pictures of everything that catches your eye. Taste something you’ve never heard of before. Acknowledge the new air you’re breathing in. Then you’ll see why traveling is so worth every second!
Utilize Your Resources
If you plan to take electronics with you, such as your phone, a tablet or laptop, you can use these to your advantage when in another country. Before you leave, you should check with your phone carrier about plans they have for oversea coverage and how much that will cost you.
Check out apps for traveling that will help you while you’re there. Skype has a travel app that allows you to see your friends and family in real time and talk to them. There are apps that help you with the currency exchange rates, and booking things like a hotel or travel options.
Be Smart About Your Belongings
You should be aware of what you have with you at all times. In some countries, you shouldn’t carry things in a backpack due to people stealing your belongings inside. If you have important items that you’re traveling with, keep them in a suitcase with a lock on it if you leave it at the hotel or place you are staying.
Also keep track of your money. Foreign exchange can get pricey, and you don’t want your money to be lost or stolen. Make sure you have enough cash on you, kept in a safe place like a wallet that’s inside of a purse or side bag. Always keep the receipts you get in case you need proof of purchases when returning to your home country.
Keep a Travel Journal or Blog
It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of traveling that you forget what you actually did each day. A great travel tip is to keep a journal or blog so you won’t forget. This will allow you to reflect on your big adventures, and even your little activities while you’re abroad.
This will also help you share with your friends and family once you get home. So many people will ask you questions about how your trip was. If you write a blog, you can share it with them so they can read about it for themselves. A journal is a great option if you don’t have access to writing a blog, so that way when you get home, you can turn it into a blog to share.
Do Something Out of Your Comfort Zone
You’re going out of your home country for the first time! Do something crazy! Of course you want to do your best to be smart and safe when traveling. However, this is time to be free and do something you wouldn’t have a chance to do if you were home.
If you haven’t tried fried squid, and it’s on the menu then order it! If there’s a waterfall that people are jumping off of, take the leap! You only get a chance to experience each second of your day once. Take advantage of the fun memories you can make while you travel.
Traveling for the first time is a great experience. It will open your eyes to new sites, sounds, smells and so much more. Keep these tips and advice in mind if you plan on traveling out of your country for the first time. Safe travels. Have fun!
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. You can follow her on Twitter or on Instagram.