18 Things You Need To Know Before Traveling Abroad

FINANCES

• Go to your bank and authorize the credit and/or debit cards you want to use on your trip. They'll ask for the the dates you want them authorized.
• Check your bank accounts often and understand where your money is going.
• Set up a budget for your trip.
• Realize the money exchange could either be more or less than what you're used to. Research where you are going, and find out what the rate is so you can plan accordingly.
• Do you have bills that need to get paid while you are gone? Set up an automatic payment system at your bank so you don't have to worry about it.

PACKING

• Pack light. You really don't need as much as you think you do.
• Don't over-prepare. Be ready for emergencies and whatever dilemma could happen, but a little spontaneity is always a good idea!
• Pack the most valuable things with you on your carry-on.
• If you're going to be gone for over a month, bring more medicine rather than hygiene products. There will be unfamiliar brands and ingredients, so it would be wiser to bring a medicine that you know and trust. Catching a cold is very common when traveling to drastic differences in climate and humidity, so pack accordingly.
• A brief list of things that you think you won't need, but you should probably thing about bringing. Toilet paper (some countries don't use it). Ziploc bags (some countries don't have them, or they are insanely expensive). You can buy anything you need in most places, but just understand where you are going and what is available to you. 
• Technology isn't always reliable. Get a small notebook and pen for jotting down addresses, directions, or phone numbers. Don't just think that you'll remember it either. You're going to be so busy looking around at everything and everyone that you could potentially forget. Write it down so you'll always have it and you can better remember it. 

GOOD TO KNOW'S

• Do you need to get immunizations? Depending on where you are going, it is wise to go to your local health department and ask if you'd need any sort of immunization or vaccination before you leave. Some vaccinations can take weeks up to a month, so get this done early.
• Turn off your phone and disconnect from the world, at least for a little while. It's good for the soul. Soak up where you are and what you're doing. Enjoy the scenery, people, food and culture.
• 'Free Spotify' only works for 14 days while you are abroad.
• Give a copy of your itinerary to someone back at home. Have a contact for back at home also if you are traveling alone. It's very wise to set up a sort of "check in" with someone every so often.
• Get to know different distance and metric systems. Different countries use different things.
• Remember ethics and customs don't translate the same across all borders. What may be polite in one country, could be insulting to another. Be sure to research where you are traveling to to find out more. 
• If you are traveling in a group, it is wise for one of you to have an international phone plan or a wifi hot spot. If you get lost, if you need information, or you need to reach somebody, it is very helpful to that kind of resource on hand. 

What other things are good to know?

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Thanks for Reading!

I hope you found these helpful!

Love, Nick

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