Travelling Abroad
1. How to plan an International Trip
Planning for international travel can be complicated and overwhelming. Even experienced travelers can find themselves in a panic after forgetting an important step in the planning process. But traveling abroad doesn’t have to be that stressful.
So forget the gut-wrenching realization that you’ve forgotten to print copies of your travel information or purchase travel health insurance. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide to traveling abroad is all you need to make sure you’ve checked all your boxes before jetting out.
You’ll discover budget travel hacks, helpful sites for deciding where to travel, apps to keep you organized, and so much more to help you plan a trip by yourself—or with the help of a travel agent.
2. Do You Need A Travel Agent When Traveling Internationally
Before beginning your preparations for travel, consider whether you would benefit from hiring a travel agent to help plan your trip. Travel agents aren’t needed for every trip, but they can be a valuable resource for complicated trips or travelers who don’t have the time to plan a trip themselves.
Here are three important questions to help you decide whether to hire a travel agent.
3. Is Cost a Concern?
Most travel agents charge a fee for their services, but they can also save you money by finding the best discounts and negotiating prices.
Travel agent fees for booking airline tickets average around $20 and around $50 for cruises according to the American Society of Travel Agents. A full itinerary could cost you between $100 and $200 according to Angi.
However, travel agents can also save you money by finding the best discounts and by negotiating prices. You could save $500 on airfare with the right agent according to U.S. News.
The cost of booking often totals about the same when booking it by yourself or booking through a travel agent (including fees). It’s best to consider how you like to travel and how you like to plan to determine whether you want a travel agent.
5. How Complicated Will Your Trip Be?
Various moving parts in a trip, like multiple destinations or a large group of people, can quickly complicate the planning process. This is where skilled travel agents can make a difference.
For example, travel agents can ensure you don’t forget to book a flight for yourself after booking them for your parents and your three siblings. They can also ensure you get tickets for everyone to that award-winning new musical before it’s sold out.
Not every trip will be complicated enough to require a travel agent, but feeling very overwhelmed may be a sign that you could use some extra help.
You can try watching English TV news and talk shows, reading books or listening to podcasts where the language is more formal.
You can also have some fun learning the local slang in your study destination.
For example, Australians, or ‘Aussies’ as they call themselves, have lots of different words and accents when compared with the British who call themselves Brits, even though they all speak English.
There are plenty of websites that list the slang from different regions and some of these words will help you understand the local people in your new country.
4. How Do You Start To Plan an International Trip? Pick a Destination
You might already have a destination or two in mind and a crew to travel along with you, but maybe you’re open to discovering someplace new and exciting too. Now is your time to do a little personal investigating into the countries and cities where you’ve always wanted to travel.
Search the most popular travel destinations in the world if you’re looking to hit tourist hotspots and be impressed. Or consider the most underrated travel destinations if exploring the path less traveled is more your style.
Do you have any hobbies like skiing or surfing? Search the top destinations for these activities. History buffs can visit the sites of important battles or castles of iconic kings and queens of the past. Escape your hometown geography and check out famous mountain ranges, a tropical forest, or beaches with crisp, blue water.
Keep a running list of your favorite destinations as well as events and activities you’d like to do there. Then begin to narrow down that list by deciding how far you’re willing to travel, how much you’re willing to spend, the safety and climate of each destination, and your must-do activities.
But if you like the excitement of planning a trip by yourself and doing your own research, skip out on the travel agent fees and follow the steps below to planning your trip abroad
6. Settle Travel Documents
7. Visa
Some travelers may need travel visas before jetting off to different countries. A visa is an official authorization granted by a country that allows you to legally enter.
Visas are sometimes necessary for extended stays (often lasting longer than 30-180 days), but every country has a different policy. For example, China requires all foreign visitors to have a visa, while France only requires visas for those staying longer than 90 days.
Check the guidelines for your destination country to learn its policy on visas while planning for your international vacation.
We host regular pre-departure sessions throughout the year to help prepare you for student life in your new country.