Planning For Your Trip Out The Country
If you knew me, you would know that I have always wanted to travel out the country. The furthest I’ve been from America was Jamaica…
To be honest, that’s saying something since majority of Americans stick to traveling within the U.S. I’m someone who likes to learn about other cultures and histories of different regions. The world is too vast to be so narrow minded. Yet, the trope of the American being too concerned with themselves to care about anything or anyone else still persists. And considering how the year 2025 is going, we are not beating that sentiment anytime soon.
Anyway, I plan on going out the country this year (further out than Jamaica) and I want to make a check list of things to keep note of in preparation for that trip. Maybe, this could also be of use to someone in the future.
Start Saving Money
This sounds like an obvious statement, but sometimes necessary to state the obvious. Depending on where you go, how you are getting there, how long you are staying, and what you are planning to do, you are going to need to save up on money. If you are planning to travel out the country in November, start saving for it in January or a least 6 months before hand. My father ,who is retired military, has traveled the world and has always warned me to never go anywhere without money. Whether to a near by city or out the country, you should have some money available to you. Some people like spontaneous traveling…I have neither the money nor the mental capacity to just up and leave. So, I like saving in advance and finding deals. You can always find deals on flights or hotels when traveling and save money. It just requires you to do your own research and and advocate for yourself. That being said in the words of Fergie ” If you ain’t got no money, take your broke ass home”. Traveling requires more than just having the money for a plane ticket and place to stay. I like affordable traveling, but also save for the trip you want.
Update your Passport
Keeping important documentation, like passports and drivers licenses, up to date is crucial and time sensitive. Without a passport you can be blocked from entering a country. Having up to date identification is also, for safety purposes, in case there is an emergency and you need to be extradited immediately, (this is usually the case in natural disasters or sudden internal conflicts). You should not be traveling out the country with a passport that expires within a month. As a matter of fact I think some places require you to have passport that is at least within 6 weeks before expiration date. Meaning that if you have a passport expiring in 5 weeks, it is recommended you don’t travel out the country. I would opt that you get your passport renewed at least 6 months before you travel out the country. It takes roughly 10-12 weeks to have a new passport to be mailed to you and it could be longer depending on how back-up the Department of Transportation is. That being said, passports take awhile to expire and if you need to renew , it could be done online, if you meet certain conditions. If you have never had a passport or haven’t gotten it renewed in 20 years, you are going to have to do it the old fashion way because they need an updated photo you. I also recommend having a pdf file of your passport and drivers license on your phone just in case, it is lost on the trip or something.
Go to the Doctor!
When preparing to travel, I think it would be important to get an updated health check with your provider. Depending on where you travel to, it might be necessary together some additional regional specific shots to keep you safe from illnesses. Immunity is not a universal thing, someone born and raised in the Philippines may have a different immunity to things than someone born and raised in the Americas, and vice versa. Also, you may have other health conditions that you should be aware of before traveling like allergens, pregnancy, or other health issues. The doctor can provide you with perscriptions that you can take while you travel or medical advice for safer travels. Make an appointment with your provider at least 4-6 weeks before you leave for your trip. Be open about any health concerns and any planned activities that you may be doing while out of the country. Traveling is no fun when you are ill, so create a travel kit with your medicines and vitamins to take with you. Just make sure there aren’t any special restriction on the medicine if you are in a different country and keep them in a travel safe container.
Sign Up for Smart Traveler
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. Citizens and Nationals to manage their trips abroad. Enrolling in this service will allow you to get updates about health , weather, safety, and security for your destination. This may come in handy if the embassy or consulate need to get in contact with you due to an emergency, whether it be from “Acts of God”(weather, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc) or civil unrest within the region. You can also, read up on news and alerts from that region you are traveling to once you sign up. Be aware of current events and have situational awareness at all times.
Get proper Currency
Getting the proper currency for your trip will save you a headache in the long run. Despite us living in a world credit card taps and online shopping, Having some physical money on hand could never be a bad thing. Dealing in physical cash could help you forgo exchange fees and keeps you credit/debit card secure. If you must use a card, make sure you have one strictly for traveling and has the highest form of security measures in place. I also recommend downloading an exchange rate app to help you accurately pay for things and keep track of your spending. The U.S dollar can go far in some places and it can be easy to overspend if you are not careful. Be mindful of current exchange rates .
Know Basic Phrases or Have a Translator Ready
Knowing basic phrases like “Hello”, “Thank you”, “How much?”, and “Where is the bathroom?”, in the language the locals of your destination speaks not only will help you in the long run, but also shows your willingness to learn another language. No body expects you to be completely fluent and sound just like the locals, it just polite to learn a few phrases to get by. I also recommend that travelers download the google translate app or some translator app to help with reading and more complex scenarios.
Be Mindful of Climate …Pack Accordingly
Depending on where you are traveling to and what time of year you are traveling, you must consider the climate. When visiting a cold place pack thermal under garments, coats, scarves, etc. For warmer places consider light linen clothing, sunscreen, board rimmed hats, etc. You could also purchase clothing at you destination ( If you just want a reason to shop), but I would reserve that for just a few pieces of clothing.
Study upon Cultural Customs, Do’s, and Don’ts
I like to compare traveling to visiting someone house. When visiting someone’s home it is polite to follow all rules and customs of that individuals’ house. The same can be said for when visiting another country. What maybe accepted in your own country, might not be accepted in another. You would be surprised by how many people don’t consider that fact. For example, in Japan its inappropriate to stick your chopsticks in your rice pointing directly up. That is because it represents something of a common funeral practice in Japan. Or in South Africa, evert displays of wealth would be seen as obnoxious and is good way to put a target on your back, because nobody likes a showboat. However, here in America its fine to flaunt your designer clothes, handbags, cars, or jewelry. It’s not smart to do, but people more or less accept it. In Singapore, you can be fined and possibly serve time for vandalism. This would include littering, spitting, or improperly disposing chewing gum. My point is, is that you should be aware of customs to avoid offending the locals or possibly getting yourself in trouble. Be mindful and be kind.
These are all steps that I will keep in mind when traveling to my next destination. The world can pretty daunting and we are living through times of uncertainty. Despite this my longing for travel has only grown. I hope this list is helpful and can inspire other people to travel for themselves. Happy Traveling.
( If you don’t have time to travel out of the country, may I suggest something more local? Check my previous post on optimizing time in Houston and their famed brunch scene.)