Staff Reporter
FOR many reasons, including more accessible airfare, a seemingly shrinking world thanks to the internet, and the ability to earn income on-the-go, travelling abroad has never been easier or more popular.
With that said, the process of leaving one country and entering another for a given length of time is not an experience to be taken lightly. There are many stages of planning and preparation for any journey overseas.
Particularly, the ability to overcome problems affecting first-time travellers to and from foreign lands will be important. Here is some advice for how to deal with the most common:
Persistent Jet Lag
Nobody wants to save up for a trip overseas only to fight fatigue for the duration of the experience. Yet not properly accounting for jet lag will often lead to this happening.
Tips for dealing with jet lag include taking the time prior to departure to align your sleep schedule with the host country timezone, as well as simple things like staying properly hydrated.
Readers could also try the famous suggestion featured at the beginning of Die Hard, wherein a seasoned flier advises the movie’s hero to ‘take off your shoes and your socks then walk around on the rug barefoot and make fists with your toes…better than a shower and a hot cup of coffee!’
Frozen Accounts
Arriving in sync with the local time, the first-time traveller is ready to hit the ground running.
Unfortunately, the first attempt to buy a souvenir goes south when the card is declined due to being pinged thousands of miles away from where it’s frequently used.
It’s a red flag for fraud but can sometimes serve as an inconvenience if travellers didn’t take the time to alert their financial institutions to their itinerary prior to departure.
In the event accounts are frozen despite taking steps to warn the bank and/or credit card companies, a backup source of funds will be needed while the problem gets resolved. Having the name of a reliable international money transfer service is a wise precaution in case this occurs.
This can allow travellers to have someone back home wire them the money to carry on with their plans.
Defying Customs
Every country has a list of things which cannot be brought in without proper permits and documentation and the same is true for what can be taken out of the country. While many of the same items can be found across all lists, each nation ultimately has a unique approach to customs. According to the US State Department, the most common include but are not limited to currency, antiques, animal skins, and precious stones.
While many of the same items can be found across all lists, each nation ultimately has a unique approach to customs. According to the US State Department, the most common include but are not limited to currency, antiques, animal skins, and precious stones.
While most readers are probably not expecting to bring back a cache of diamonds from their low budget backpacking adventure through Spain, it’s still important to see what the rules are for what can and can’t be casually transported across the border. This includes the home country as well, since you’re returning there once the trip is finished.
Street Scams
Tourists make for highly valuable targets in the street scam world. Often overwhelmed and distracted with stimuli, travellers also tend to carry cash and other valuables. Despite one’s best efforts to disguise themselves as a local, most skilled pickpockets and con artists can swiftly tell the difference.
Read up on the list of common street scams before departing for an overseas vacation. The most frequent approach involves distraction tactics, wherein a group divides itself into two teams: the distraction and the pickpockets. It could be an apparent altercation or bad comedy act, be on the lookout for anyone getting too close if stopping to have a peek.
Language Barriers
Problems occurring overseas most commonly boil down to language barriers. Misunderstandings can lead to wrong directions, surprise bills, and a whole host of other headaches.
While nobody should feel obligated to master the local language before visiting a foreign country, it doesn’t hurt to take the time to learn the basics. Comprehending how to read, say, and perhaps most important of all, hear common words and phrases in the host language will undoubtedly help to cut down on problems arising during the experience.
More folks are travelling abroad than ever before. This is a good thing, but it’s important to remember the planning involved in pulling off a positive overseas vacation. Doing so can ensure the experience is unforgettable and relatively worry-free.
