Tips to Know before Traveling Abroad

Traveling to a new country can be extremely overwhelming and nerve wracking. It is best to be as prepared as possible in order to feel comfortable and safe while you are on your trip. Personally, I was nervous about traveling to new cities with a group of students that I didn’t really know. I never flew alone, especially to Europe, where I knew at the airport I would be first challenged by the language barrier. Fortunately enough, many countries outside the United States speak English but Google Translate will most definitely become a loyal friend. 

I gathered a short list of important tips/advice that I think are useful for any future students who decide to travel to Spain. You will have a great time but keep some of these thoughts in mind while you’re planning your trip.

Tip #1: Budgeting

• Before leaving for your trip, have a strong idea on how much you are willing to spend on your trip. With the amount of activities you will be participating in while abroad it is very easy to rack up on your spending. Create yourself a budget on excel or in your mobile notes app so that you can stay on top of your finances. 

Tip #2: Credit Card / Cash

• Most restaurants take credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard. I highly suggest bringing a credit card that does not charge foreign fees for abroad transactions. If you plan on bringing your credit card, you should notify the company that you will be traveling in Spain so they don’t freeze your card over suspicious activity. 
• The easiest way to transfer cash into euro is to go through your bank. Call ahead of time to place an order before you leave the US that way you can avoid the astronomical fees at the airport.

Tip #3: Passport and Insurance Card

• Bring a copy of your passport and Health Insurance Card. Keep these copies in a safe place so that you have duplicates of your most important documents. 

Tip #4: Petty Theft

• Spain is a relatively safe country, however, petty theft crimes are very popular especially on tourists. Remain alert, know your surroundings, and be aware of your belongings at all times. I brought a TSA approved master lock to lock my backpack when I traveled and I made sure to keep my phone/wallet in my front pockets. 

Tip #5: Data/Phone plan

• Talk to your carrier on any international plans they provide. I bought a Vodafone sim card with a data plan that worked perfectly for my short-term there. I highly suggest doing that as it saves you a lot of money. If not, you can always use WhatsApp to contact friends and family in the US. 

Tip #6: Research

• Research the cities you will be traveling to! Learn the historical background and definitely find any cool spots that may interest you. You will have free time to adventure around so take advantage of that. 

Tip #7: Have Fun!

• This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will give you lasting memories. Take many pictures and spend quality time with the students you will be traveling with. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and indulge in the culture. Push yourself to try new things especially the food! Sit down and enjoy the coffee; rather than taking it to-go.