If you want to experience the trip of your lifetime, traveling abroad is one of the most memorable experiences you'll have. Here are some tips to keep in mind when considering going abroad for Spring Break.
- "When in Rome, do as the Roman's do."
Take in the culture and get to know the local traditions. Don't be afraid to meet local people and ask them what's going on that week and where you can experience the best activities the city has to offer. Trying the local cuisine can be a scary but very satisfying experience. And who knows, you might learn something about cooking and be able to bring that back and impress fellow students - Shop around for places to stay.
If you stay in a hostel, you can save money and also meet other Spring Breakers that are traveling the same time. You can also find nice hotel rooms that fit your budget if you do a little bit of research. - Buy plug converters.
Every country can have a different electrical outlet and if you want to charge that precious iPhone, then you're going to want to get some plug converters to be able to do so. Ladies, if you're going to Europe, leave the hair straightener and hair dryer at home because you'll blow the circuit in the hotel. - Make copies of your passport.
The last thing you want to do is lose your passport and have no way to get home... or that could be a good tactic for avoiding classes. But seriously, you don't want to head abroad without having a copy of your passport with you and an additional copy back home. When storing your passport, also make sure the copy is somewhere different so you don't lose both together. - Check baggage restrictions for all airlines you'll be using
You want to make sure you know how many bags you're allowed, if you'll be charged for bags and what the weight and dimension restrictions are. If you want to avoid baggage fees and lugging around lots of bags, pack less. It's ok to wear a pair of jeans more than once and if you're going someplace warm, then you'll mostly be hanging out in your bathing suit anyways! You can also save room in your luggage by wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes on the plane! - Convert currency ahead of time
Go to a local bank or AAA office and convert your money ahead of time. You can also do it at the airport, but it can be more expensive to do so there. Once you arrive to your destination, it also might be difficult to find a location to convert it. Lastly, check with your bank and credit card companies to see if you'll be charged an international conversion rate when using your cards internationally. - Inform you bank and credit card providers that you're traveling
It's important to let your credit card companies know you're traveling because if they see purchases abroad, they're going to assume it's fraud and shut off your access to your card. Even worse, if you don't have international cell phone access then you won't be able to call and get it reactivated. - Don't forget toiletries (can be expensive abroad) -
Buying simple things like toothpaste or shampoo abroad can be significantly more expensive than buying in the US. Don't forget though that if you're just traveling with a carry-on, you can only have bottles with at most, 3.4 ounces of liquid in them. If you don't have time to go to a store, check out the deals we offer. - Online check in for flights
Save time checking in at the airport by doing so online ahead of time. Most airlines have a 24-hour check in policy if you want to do so ahead of time. - Have a good time
Most importantly, have the time of your life! Enjoy the freedom you have to go where you want to go and take lots of pictures! Remember... "You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough."