Travel can be an enjoyable, enriching experience, but it doesn’t come without challenges. If you choose to head abroad, you’ll have to leave behind all your home comforts for a period of time, to embrace a totally new location and culture. It might sound intimidating, but stepping out of your comfort zone and navigating these challenges is all part of the travel experience.
Once you know some of the difficulties you could face abroad, it becomes easier to remedy them. Here are four situations you might encounter – plus solutions – to keep in mind when exploring a foreign country.
Dealing With Language Barriers
Getting around a new place can be tough without knowing the native language. For this reason, you may want to learn some simple words in preparation for each country you visit, such as greetings, pleases, and thank yous. It’s also always helpful to have a translation app, amongst other helpful travel apps, on your smartphone in case you encounter any unfamiliar phrases.
Even if English is widely spoken in your destination, attempting to communicate in the native language is a sign of respect, and locals will appreciate the effort. You may also find it easier to connect with other travelers on your trip this way – making it especially important for solo travelers.
Financial Considerations
Travel – while it can be affordable – generally doesn’t come cheap. If you don’t have a solid plan in place for funding your trip, you may find it difficult to afford all the activities you’d like to experience in your chosen destination.
There are options to consider if you can’t pay for your trip all in one go. Consider putting an amount of money aside each month to save for future travels. Or, choose a buy now, pay later holiday – these payment plans can be very useful so long as you act responsibly and in line with your financial agreement.
Travel hacking is another great way to make travel affordable. It’s our preferred method. Essentially, travel hacking involves using points and miles earned through credit card rewards, loyalty programs, and other promotions to offset travel expenses like flights, accommodations, and even car rentals.
By strategically signing up for travel credit cards with generous bonuses and knowing how to maximize rewards, you can save a significant amount of money while still enjoying amazing destinations. It takes some planning and research, but once you get the hang of it, the savings and the perks are totally worth it.
Remember that, if you’re planning on being away for an extended period of time, you’ll need to have enough cash to cover the additional expenses. If you can work while traveling, that’s great – if not, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty in your savings to cover the essentials, such as long-term accommodation.
Culture Shock
Adapting to a new way of living can feel disorienting, particularly if you regularly visit different countries and find yourself having to switch between different roles and customs. There can be a certain amount of pressure when it comes to knowing how to conduct yourself in a new place, especially in regions with stricter rules, regulations, and social norms.
The best way to remedy this is to do plenty of research before you leave for your trip. While you’re unlikely to cause offense in another country if you’re courteous, it’s always worth knowing a little bit about the culture if you’re planning on mingling with the locals while you’re there.
Staying Safe While Traveling
It’s important to take your personal safety seriously while in a foreign country, especially if you’re a solo traveler. While it’s rare to face trouble, some high-risk destinations will require you to be more cautious – and some you should potentially avoid altogether.
Stick to locations deemed safe for travel by your government by consulting relevant travel advisories. Wherever you go, even if it’s deemed a generally safe place, you should always follow safety tips such as avoiding isolated areas, staying aware of your surroundings, and keeping any valuables safely concealed.
It’s also a good idea to check for any health threats in the area, such as infectious disease outbreaks – there may be certain locations that require you to get a preventative injection, to make sure you don’t get sick on your trip. Be sure to get travel insurance before you hit the road too.
An Experience Worth the Challenges
Traveling is by no means easy, and it can be a somewhat stressful experience. However, the end payoff is worth it, as you’ll leave your trip with tons of happy memories and new experiences under your belt.
While there will always be an element of spontaneity and surprise when exploring a new location, some amount of planning and preparation is essential in order to reduce the likelihood of facing challenges and to get the most out of your trip.
Keep up to date with local guidance and regulations, get your finances in order, and embrace the local culture for a more stress-free experience abroad.
