TRAVELLING

How to prepare for international travel, 10 tips

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – After sacrificing some of the most enjoyable aspects of life for COVID-related quarantines and social distancing, many in the U.S. are eager to resume one of the activities they love most, traveling overseas.  

According to one report, in 2021, international departures from the U.S. totaled 49.1 million.

But what are some things a person can do in preparation to make their trip as safe and enjoyable as possible?  

The following suggestions may be helpful in this regard:

Study up on the culture

Use Google, YouTube, and online encyclopedias to learn a bit about the country’s history and the day-to-day lives of locals. Some aspects of the culture to pay special attention to are ways they show respect to each other, how to avoid disrespecting anyone in the culture, popular local foods, and upcoming local festivals.

Learn some basic phrases in the local language

While you don’t need to become a fluent speaker, it will be very helpful to learn a few basic terms and questions. A few suggested phrases to start with would be, “My name is___,” “What is your name?” and “I speak English, do you speak English?”   

Protect your health

Look into the area’s overall reputation of the healthcare system and scout out a few hospitals in the cities you will be staying. In addition to this, consult with your doctor to ensure you’re up-to-date on any and all vaccines recommended for those engaging in international travel.

Consider purchasing medical and travel assistance

An article from Chubb states that, “81% of Americans consider 24-hour emergency travel assistance very important.1 Familiarize yourself with your destination’s conditions that could impact your health, such as high altitude or pollution, as well as the types of medical facilities available.”

Prepare documentation to have on hand, and

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