You never know what awaits you on the road. Whether you’re looking for ways to survive reverse culture shock or want to cover all your bases while getting ready to depart for a new country, the following tips can help you prepare for the unexpected.
Table of Contents
Trip Planning Tips
Get Travel Insurance
Most people avoid getting travel insurance because they believe it’s expensive and unnecessary. However, travel insurance is an overlooked yet important asset for any traveler.
It protects you from the financial burdens of accidents or unexpected errors while traveling. Nevertheless, it can be challenging to find a travel insurance provider that’s reliable and accessible.
It’s a lot different from looking for the cheapest car insurance in Texas—there are more things you need to consider, like:
- Will they cover flight cancellations or delays?
- Will they cover baggage loss?
- Will they pay for medical expenses in case of accidents?
- Will they pay for emergency evacuations?
Keep these questions in mind when shopping for travel insurance. Ask your prospective provider about them and ensure you’re fully covered before your flight.
Pack Emergency Supplies
Emergencies can strike at any time, so having a bag of emergency supplies with you is essential. You never know when you might catch a cold or get physically injured.
In your emergency kit, you’ll want to have a few essentials packed, such as:
- Medication
- First-aid kit
- Anti-allergy pills
- Disinfectant
- A flashlight
- Portable charger/power bank
- Snacks
This is a general list of things you should store in your emergency pack. It may change depending on your situation and the country you plan to travel to. Make sure to research what supplies you must bring ahead of your trip.
Keep Up Healthy Habits
Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with healthy habits. It’s important to try to maintain your body even while you’re out exploring the world.
It lessens your risk of illness or injury. Simple things like drinking water and maintaining a balanced diet can go a long way toward improving your health.
If you can’t find the time to go to the gym, a short but intense workout should help keep your heart pumping and muscles strong.
You can find tons of travelers’ workouts online. Pick one that will be the most effective for your situation. Don’t be afraid to alter the routines to better fit your current lifestyle.
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
While you shouldn’t live in a constant state of paranoia, it pays to remain vigilant of your surroundings, especially if you’re traveling alone in a foreign country.
As unfortunate as it might sound, not everyone has your best intentions in mind. You may run into a few scammers and pickpockets while you’re exploring the world.
It’s best to keep one eye open and know your surroundings. The last thing you want is to become a victim of theft or other criminal activities while enjoying tourist attractions.
If possible, always travel with a friend or a trusted family member. Even hiring a tour guide from a reliable and established company is better than going out alone in a country you’ve only been to for the first time.
Set Aside Emergency Cash
Although society has come a long way since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, there may still be places where industrialization hasn’t quite touched the people.
In those cases, you won’t have the same technological luxuries that make everything so convenient, such as ATMs, computers, cashless transactions, etc.
Having emergency cash with you can help you pay for services that cannot be paid for with your credit card. It can also save you from a tight situation if your cards get locked or your bank goes offline while you’re walking the road less traveled.
Keep a List of Important Contacts
A list of important contacts can save your life if financial or medical problems arise. You can quickly contact them for assistance or escape a tricky situation.
This list includes the numbers for the nearest embassy, police station, local emergency response units, your family, trusted friends, your physician, and other emergency departments. Your list may not contain those exact contacts, but it’s a great place to start.
Final Thoughts
It’s always good to research and prepare before embarking on a long journey. Adventure can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and, at times, risky.
To protect yourself from unexpected events, take steps to prepare for emergencies and unforeseen errors. Be a safe traveler so you can fully enjoy the wonders of your journeys.
