Traveling internationally for the first time can be both exciting and overwhelming. You probably are already counting down the days to spring break.

As the day draws closer, the happy thoughts of taking a break from school and finally visiting one of your favorite destinations may be replaced with feelings of anxiety. The fear of getting critical things wrong and throwing your first international trip into disarray can be stressful.

Nobody likes to be in a position where they don’t know what to do. We all like to have some semblance of control. Your first international trip will be a success if you cover all the basics that can make or break your trip. Luckily, the important basics are not that many. Here are some of the things you need to get on top of if you want to have a successful international spring break:

Have Valid Travel Documents Ready

Without valid travel documents, you won’t be able to enter the country you are trying to visit. At the very least, you need a valid passport and a visa. Some countries may not let you in if your passport expires in less than six months.

Depending on the treaties and agreements the host country has with your country, you may or may not need a visa. Some of the countries that will require you to get a visa may allow you to get one on arrival. It is important that you get as much information as possible about passport and visa issues so you are absolutely certain that you won’t have any trouble entering the country you want to visit.

Make Several Copies of Key Documents

You should make copies of all the important documents you’ll be traveling with. You should have copies of your I.D., passport, visa, travel tickets and even copies of your itinerary. If you already have a well defined itinerary, leave a copy with your loved ones at home.

Your Money Should Be Easily Accessible

You should have an easy and convenient manner to get access to your money. If you use an online banking service, notify them that you’ll be traveling so that they don’t lock you out of your account when you login from another country.

Logging into your account from a destination you’ve never attempted a login before might trigger the system to lock you out for security reasons. If you are going to be using a credit or debit card with chips, note down the pin numbers before you embark on your trip.

Notify the Government

Just in case a disaster or emergency situation such as a terror attack strikes your travel destination, you will need every help you can get to return home safely. Notifying the government through a program such as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program will let them know when you’ll arrive at your destination and when you’ll finally leave. This will ensure that they make an extra effort to find you in case there is an emergency.

Choosing a Hotel or Resort

Where you stay will largely depend on your budget and the things you plan to do during spring break. There are several accommodation options for the average student going on spring break including AirBnBs, hotels, couchsurfing, hostels, luxury resorts, villas and serviced apartments.

For your first international trip, you want to stay at the most convenient and most comfortable accommodation option you can find. For the ultimate comfort, an all-inclusive resort will do. If you first trip is a beach vacation, a luxury all-inclusive resort  or resorts that are group friendly  can cater to all your needs and even arrange fun activities for you.

Communication

Roaming rates can be very high. Do yourself a favor and secure a SIM card from a local company when you land. Make sure you notify your loved ones of your new phone number as soon as you get it.

They will be able to contact you through WhatsApp so there is no need to worry. You can also make calls on WhatsApp using your regular number. You can find a reliable internet connection almost everywhere in the world right now.

Thoroughly Research Your Destination

A lot of mistakes or omissions can be avoided by just doing a thorough research of your destination so you know exactly what you need to do, where you need to go and the important pieces of information pertaining to culture you should be aware of.

You should also read reviews from other travelers so you know which facilities and attractions you need to avoid. Reviews will prove very useful when you are trying to piece an itinerary together. You can always trust the wisdom of other travelers and visit the attractions they recommend while staying away from those facilities they had a bad experience in.

Don’t Forget to Carry Your Medicine

If you are on prescription medication, buy them before you board your flight. You many not find the drugs you need when you land. Besides the prescription drugs, you should also carry other essential drugs such as those for diarrhea, stomach upsets, malaria, etc.

Depending on your destination, you may be denied entry if you have not been vaccinated against certain diseases. CDC has a pretty comprehensive guide on the vaccinations you need to get before you can be granted entry into given countries.

These are some tips you should follow when going on your first international spring break. For the most part, having a successful trip only takes knowing what to avoid or what not to do. As long as you fend off the possible disasters that might ruin your spring break, you will be fine.

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June 26, 2018