Thursday, 1 March 2012

Top 10 Travel Tips Every Student Should Know

By Dana Cain


In case you are a student who is traveling overseas to a foreign country, what you need to do is make some preparations.

For students traveling overseas, here are top ten travel tips they need to know.

Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Before you go, you should also fill in the emergency information page of your passport. Make color copies of your passport and visa information and carry a copy with you at all times. This way you can secure your passport in your hotel room safe.

The Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) is what you can read for the countries that you are planning to visit. Finding them at the U.S. state department travel website would be very easy for you. You can register your trip online at the same website.

Copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas should be left with family or friends at home so that in case of an emergency, you can be contacted. Another thing you should do is keep your host program informed of your whereabouts.

Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation) while you are overseas. In case you have any medication with you, then you should make sure that you have copies of your prescriptions.

What you need to do is familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws! You will not be in Kansas anymore. What is legal in one country may not be in another. Do your homework before you go.

Never accept packages from strangers and do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. You may be targeted by thieves and possible drug smugglers. Be observant and report anything suspicious.

Using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages and associating with people who do should be avoid while abroad. Possession of small amounts of marijuana may be a misdemeanor in your home town, but may be a Class I felony in another country. Rather than just pay a small fine, what you may be looking at is 10-20 years in a foreign prison. You shouldn't even consider doing drugs in a foreign country.

Do not wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and become a target for thieves and also, you need to avoid carrying excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards. It's better to dress plain and simple with nondescript shirts and jeans.

When you exchange money, deal only with authorized agents in order to avoid violating local laws. Banks and currency exchanges would be your best choices. Money changers on the streets or back alleys may be illegal.

When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed. Unless you absolutely have to go, then avoid government buildings as well as embassies. As long as you register with the state department travel website, then you will provide the embassy a way to contact you in country either by phone or email.

Use common sense and have a great trip.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment