THREE, TWO, ONE, LET’S GO! THE TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP (YOU KNOW… AFTER THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC HAS FINALLY ENDED)
Cheers! Your flight is finally booked, and your lodging is methodically reserved for your first international trip to that exotic destination that you have been dreaming about for years. But now what? Global travel can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming if you are underprepared or ill-informed, but it does not have to be. In preparation for my first international solo trip, I did a slew of research and was also given advice from travel gurus with more travel wisdom than myself and had already trekked where I was trying to adventure. The information provided made my first trip across the pond seamless and enjoyable. Let us delve into the compiled knowledge given to me, which will make any Americans first international trip smooth and eliminate many unforeseen hiccups.
1. Sometimes having that little blue passport is not enough. You will need a travel visa too!
To travel to any country outside of the United States and return home, you will need a valid Passport issued by the U.S. Department of State. Many countries require that your passport is valid for six months after your return date and that the last two pages of your passport booklet are blank. And in addition to your passport, some countries require an additional document called a travel visa. Some visas can be obtained at the country’s border, while others need to be purchased in advance from either their embassy or consulate on U.S. soil. A few countries where Americans need advance visas are Australia, China, and Russia. Requirements are continuously changing, so if you have any concerns or questions, do not ask a friend. Instead, check this link. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/americans-traveling-abroad.html.
2. It is not quite home, but an embassy will do.
Now that your passport and travel visas are obtained, the next thing on your list should be to register with the United States Embassy. Yes, register with the U.S. Embassy in your destination country because this is a piece of America on foreign/international soil. Why? Registering with your country’s embassy will equip you with the assistance needed in the unfortunate situations of a medical emergency, a lost or stolen passport, or the evacuation of citizens in the case of an international catastrophe. Where do you find the U.S. Embassy when you travel? The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of a foreign country. But I am not traveling to the capital city! That is perfectly ok. Sometimes The U.S. has smaller Embassies called Consulates located outside of the capital. Consulates are satellite Embassies and can also help U.S. citizens when they are outside the foreign nation’s capital. Let us use The United Kingdom as an example. The U.S. Embassy is located in London's capital city, with two consulates situated in Edinburgh and Belfast. The United States Department of State has made this important step in your international travel simple with their STEP program.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html
3. The current global power struggles are real.
Stop! Before you plug that $200 flatiron into a power outlet in Europe, please read this. American appliances run on 110 volts, while European appliances use 220 volts. The purpose of a plug adapter is to help the plugs on your electronics fit or adapt to foreign
outlets' shape. A converter's job is to change or decrease the voltage found in another country’s outlet to match that of your device. This means that your curling iron will burn up if you plug it into the wall with only the assistance of a plug adapter without a power converter. You can also not use the styling utensil in a lower power setting because the current is too strong, and you will destroy your equipment. If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such as "110–220"), you are okay in Europe. Some older appliances have a voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Europe) — switch it to 220 as you pack.
To make things easier for myself, I always order Global travel adapter kits because included are all international adapters for every outlet and can be purchased online. My personal favorites are Magellan and Belkin. You can also purchase a styling tool in advance, which uses 220 volts. https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/
4. A vaccination today will keep the doctor away.
Even before the global pandemic of 2020, transporting pathogens across international borders was a pressing concern. Vaccinations are one way to combat this threat and sometimes keep outbreaks regionally contained. You can check the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website for recommended and required vaccines before travel. I used Passport Health to administer my shots, but your local Health Department could also administer the vaccines at a reduced cost. Planning is also essential since some medicines may require ordering in advance and may not be readily available. Some vaccines also require a series of doses before they are effective. You want to ensure that you are fully immunized before traveling.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/
https://www.passporthealthusa.com/vaccinations/?paid=1&satid=159&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuYf8k-Hr6wIVRr7ACh0xaAAXEAAYASAAEgJ97PD_BwE
5. To purchase, or not to purchase travel Insurance that is the question.
You have just reserved your flight, and the little exasperating add-on pops up, asking you if you want to purchase travel insurance. What do you do? Well, there are really only two options. Option one is to read the terms and conditions of the airline's insurance, and if you agree, then add it to the basket. The second option is to ensure your trip with an outside company like Travel Guard from AIG Travel. This option could be better for frequent travelers because you can buy yearly insurance, and it will cover all of your trips for a specified amount of time. You are probably wondering why you need travel insurance, and it is probably a waste of money. In the past few years, the news has been filled with incidents of American tourists sickened by alcohol poisonings in Central America, drugged at resorts in the Dominican Republic, and being held hostage in hospitals after lifesaving surgery because they did not have the money to pay their bills. Most insurance policies from the United States, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not cover you once you leave the country. If you are unsure, read your policy and contact your provider.
If you are traveling to a remote destination or to a place where care may not be up to U.S. standards, you might want to purchase medical evacuation insurance. This insurance will pay for medical care and emergency transportation and added to your travel insurance policy.
One should seriously consider purchasing the additional coverage so you can kitesurf, ski, and ride your four-wheeler with a piece of mind.
6. Water sense is not common, and first aid kits do not grow on trees.
No matter where you are in the world, it is probably best not to drink tap water as a rule of thumb. Even in America recently, there have been issues with water quality, contaminants, and drinkability. For this reason, it is probably best to drink bottled water to avoid unexpected stomach issues that could interrupt your holiday. These rules also apply to the heavily frequented Mexico even though they are America’s neighbor to the south. In Mexico, only drink bottled water and the ice from your hotel or resort, which is properly filtered. I do not even brush my teeth with the tap water. I use Listerine to rinse after brushing. Do not place the water from the tap in your mouth, if at all possible. Extreme caution should be practiced when buying fruit from street vendors. Instead of sliced fruit, buy the produce whole and use your bottled water to rinse before cutting.
Nothing is embarrassing about being prepared.
I always carry a first aid kit because I do not want to lose travel time shopping for medication. Your First Aid Kit should include all of your prescription medicines, EpiPen’s, inhalers, anti-diarrhea medicines, electrolytes drops, Benadryl, birth control methods, migraine medicines, Band-Aids, cold, and allergy medicines. I like the anti-diarrhea and the electrolytes because if you get food poisoning, bad water, or a stomach virus, you can stabilize yourself and seek help.
I would suggest that you also place your first aid kit in your carry-on luggage onto the plane with you. Do not pack them in your luggage if your luggage is lost or delayed.
7. Yens, Euros, Sterling, Pesos, and Dinars, oh my! Let us be Franc, and talk about money.
Saving money and avoiding financial frustration requires a little bit of planning. If you would like the best exchange rate for your dollar, ordering your foreign currency in advance is the best option. Most major banks have a currency ordering service online for their customers, which allows them to transfer the money directly from their account for the exchange. The international currency is then sent to the banking location of your choice for a convenient pickup. Ordering your money two weeks out from your trip should allow enough time for delivery. This is definitely a better option than using the money exchange at airports and train stations.
Notify your bank online before the start of your travel plans. This will help you to avoid unnecessary interruptions to your credit and debit card at points of sale. It is also a good idea to have multiple cards because sometimes the cards simply do not work, and no reason is given.
The last money-saving tip is to call your bank and see if there are “sister” banks available in your destination country. If a sister bank is available in the country you are traveling, ATM fees are normally waived or reduced if you need more cash. You will still have to pay a currency conversion fee, however. Ask the banker for the specifics.
8. Research to minimize culture shock.
Did you know that in Italian, pepperoni means bell pepper? So, if you ask for extra pepperoni on your pizza, you will receive a ton of bell peppers! It isn't easy to learn an entire language before vacation, but learn a few helpful phrases and written key words beforehand. Speaking louder to the residents will not help them to understand your English any better. Also, research the culture, the food, the customs, and inquiries about religion before you travel. This investigating will help you avoid frustrations and disappointments. If you do not like seafood or fish, what will you eat in Iceland? And are you confused as to why your sausage tastes so gamey, almost like a lamb in the Middle East? Just do a little research. It will save you many headaches.
9. Can you hear me now?
Keeping in touch with relatives back home only takes a little preplanning before your trip. Simply call your cellular provider before your trip to see if they offer an international plan and inquire about the cost and activate it if you accept the rates. If they do not offer a plan, free phone applications are available that operate at no cost when connected to WIFI, such as WhatsApp, Viber, or Facetime.
10. Street smarts.
Would you miss the items in your suitcase if they were to come up missing, lost, or stolen? If the answer is yes, please leave them at home! Leave expensive jewelry, designer bags, sunglasses, and extraneous electronics at home, especially when traveling to countries where they would attract unwanted attention.
If you choose to carry a purse, make sure there is a zipper to protect the internal contents. A crossbody bag is a better option than a purse, and an added safety measure is a money belt underneath your clothing. The money belt could provide extra protection for your cash, credit cards, and passport due to difficult access for pickpockets.
Make copies of everything, including your passport, and leave a copy with a responsible friend or family member at home. Having a copy of your passport will expedite a replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. I know it is old school, but have paper copies of all of your travel documents if your cellphone is lost, stolen, or you are without email access.
I hope that the information provided is useful for your first adventure whenever you can go. The important things to remember about travel are keeping an open mind, embracing the differences, and expanding your realm of normalcy while still relishing those flickers of familiarity from home. Exploring different parts of our beautiful world can be rewarding, but not without its challenges, which could make you question all that you have ever known. Enjoy the view and ride the waves. After all, if it were just like home, why would you take a vacation. Safe travels.
Travel with Tani| Travel Visas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZUxl70A5IQ&t=3s
Travel with Tani| Top 5 International Travel Tips
