7 Tips For Traveling Abroad From A First Time Traveler | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

7 Tips For Traveling Abroad From A First Time Traveler

What will your next adventure be?

11
7 Tips For Traveling Abroad From A First Time Traveler
Pexels

Last month I went on a trip to London and Paris. It was my first time traveling out of the country. Naturally, I was nervous, so my friends, family and pretty much anyone else I told about my trip gave me various tips and bits of advice. Some of the items are pieces of advice I got and some are experiences I had on my trip.

1. Plan your free time

I went on this trip with a tour company, so our daily activities were planned, and we got free time in between activities. Even though I didn't have to plan the entire trip, it was still beneficial to plan my free time so that I could see everything I wanted. You will definitely thank yourself later!

2. Always think about safety

It might seem obvious, but traveling to a new country means you should always be aware of your surroundings. Travel in groups of three or four if possible, and be aware of pickpockets. You also need to find out each country's emergency number, just in case. It's easy to forget about safety when you're on a trip, but it's the most important aspect when you're in an unfamiliar place.

3. Be respectful wherever you go

You are visiting another country, so it's important to be respectful of the people and the places you're visiting. While I was in Paris, I was told that the French really appreciate it when foreigners say "bonjour" and "merci" when entering or leaving shops and restaurants. Doing this shows them that you are respectful of their language and that you aren't assuming every person speaks English. Small gestures like this can have a positive impact!

4. Everyone will react differently to Americans

I was a little nervous to go to France because a lot of people told me that the French hate Americans, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were kind and generous people! Of course, there were some people that were less than enthused to have tourists disrupting their daily routine, but I never felt unwelcome. Just be kind and people will be kind to you!

5. Ask for help if you need it

I remember being afraid to ask for help, especially when trying to navigate the public transportation system. In London, the Underground (subway) was easy to navigate, but one time we were clearly lost. My friends and I had our maps out, pointing at the platform map and discussing which train to take. A nice gentleman stopped and asked us if we needed help, and then gave us the shortest route back to the station closest to our hotel. We were afraid to bother anyone or make them late for their train, but he was kind enough to stop and help us, and most people are. You just have to ask!

6. Don't be afraid to have a more authentic experience

This is your trip, so you should do what you want! Often, having lunch at a local restaurant, or stopping at a bookstore could be a better experience than waiting in line at tourist attractions. Personally, I like my trips to have a mixture of both tourist places and authentic experiences! I had just as much fun at Buckingham Palace as I did at a local pub, eating fish and chips. Make the trip what you want it to be!

7. Be in the moment

Some of the best moments of my trip came when I stopped and enjoyed the experience of being there. In Paris, I went to the Eiffel Tower and took lots of pictures, but I also took the time to marvel at the sheer beauty of being there and enjoy the moment. I will always have those pictures to show other people, but my memories of the trip will stay with me forever.

Go plan your next adventure!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1348
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

811
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199980
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20734
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments