Travelling abroad is one of the most rewarding (and scariest) experiences you will possibly ever have. It's filled with adventure, uncertainty, happiness, and loads of other things that give you life experience that'll last. But with that travel comes a lot of questions that often seem to go unanswered, or general rules of thumb that you might want to ignore. Some of the most important things aren't on those downloadable packing lists, but in the experience of others.
1. Pack less.
One of the biggest mistakes to be made is thinking you need to pack everything. What if I get invited to a fancy dinner that requires a nice dress? What if the temperature drops below freezing? You still don't need to pack things for these eventualities. Most of the time, the place you're going will have shops where you can buy them, meaning you don't need to bring them. It's definitely difficult to fit 3 to 6 months worth of your life into a bag, but it is doable. Plus, you won't get stuck paying charges for checking an extra bag with the airline or for it being overweight.
2. Invest in good, sturdy luggage.
One of the worst things that can happen to you is that you'll be running across the airport for a flight when you're late and your luggage breaks open, and spills everywhere. Even though it's an extra expense, it's one you'll thank yourself for in the long run. Good, sturdy luggage is essential, especially if you plan on travelling a lot outside of your host country.
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3. Try new things, especially foods.
You'll miss out on so many tasty things if you don't try new foods. Allergies and other personal preferences (like vegetarianism or veganism) aside, try the local cuisine. Try that late-night best local drunk food spot your housemates are talking about. Don't stick to what you know, but instead venture into the unknown. You might find your next favourite go-to meal.
4. Be smart with your money.
While you shouldn't be stingy with it, you should also be wise about your money. Don't go spending it on everything and anything you see and compare prices if you can. If you're going to be somewhere for a while, be sure you're getting good value for what you're spending, or be willing to cut back a bit (like eating at home instead of doing takeaway) so that you'll be able to spend your money on more rewarding things, like experiences or a night out with your friends.
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5. Be prepared for customs.
If you're staying in a country for an extended period of time, make sure you're aware of the customs process. Many countries require you to get student or working visas to visit, while others (like Ireland) don't require a visa for 90 days or less in the country, but they do ask for your proof of residency, return flight information, health insurance (either from home or traveling insurance from your host country), and sometimes even a bank statement. It's important to make sure you have these things in order to get through customs quickly and effectively.
6. Get to know your housemates and neighbours.
It's definitely nice to curl up in your bed at the end of the day and binge on a show on Netflix, but don't do it every day. Instead, make sure you get to know your housemates, or if you're living alone, your neighbours. In the case of housemates, they're the ones you'll be living and sharing a space with for the next few months, so you should give them a chance. You may end up getting along swimmingly and going out together.
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7. Go outside of your comfort zone.
Although it might be scary for you, go places and get uncomfortable. All the wonderful things in the world tend to be outside your comfort zone, meaning you've got to wiggle a bit in order to see them and enjoy them. Don't do anything you feel is truly dangerous or life-threatening, but be sure to take advantage of cheap travel and accommodation, as well as opportunities even within your host country.
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8. Get lost.
Some of the best moments ever, if you're traveling with a group, can be when you explore a city by yourself. Of course, don't actually get lost (make sure you've got the name of your accommodation and Google maps handy), but explore the city on your own. Walk down one street with the intent of truly getting to know the place rather than just seeing the tourist attractions. If there's a tram or underground, hop on it and get off a few stops later, just to see where it takes you.
9. Be present.
In the social media age, it's easy to live your life behind a phone. And while we all want to get that perfect, Instagramable moment, try to live outside your phone. Sure, pictures are good to have for when you're looking back, but try to limit yourself to just a few pictures at the different locations you're going, or maybe only when the sight truly inspires you (you don't need to take a picture of the same street every morning on your walk to work). If you put your phone down and look up at what's in front of you, it might just show you something wonderful.
