So, you’re finally taking that dream trip abroad that you have been imagining for years. How exciting! You have so much to see and experience with this new adventure.

There are beautiful destinations to see, exotic cultures to experience, and new cuisine to taste! Traveling to a new places is a great way to expand your horizons, create remarkable memories, and gain a new perspective in life.

However, I’m sure you’re wondering what to expect being in a country that speaks a different language than your own. It is completely understandable to be a bit nervous if it you are new to traveling internationally, or even at all for that matter. But have no fear! The 5 steps are near! (Sorry about that dose of cheesiness, but I promise it will be worth it!)…

With the following 5 tips, even the most novice traveler can have the best travel experiences and be on the right path to stress-free travel!

1. Take a Flexible Approach When Planning Your Itinerary

Seeing a new destination is exhilarating and you won’t want to miss a thing! It’s easy to try to slam pack your itinerary to ensure you get your time and money worth during this long-planned trip.

Although it is a good idea to research things such as opening times, must-see destinations, and best days to visit certain places (A must-do step to ensure locations are open!), it’s important to plan out an outline rather than a strict minute by minute schedule to ensure you get the most out of your trip.

Having a rock-solid schedule may seem like a good idea. However, it can make your trip feel like more of a series of chores to check off of the list than an adventure, possibly even adding stress when things don’t quite work out as planned. If there is anything that is guaranteed, it’s that NOTHING will always go exactly as planned and there will always be a unexpected surprise or two. Keeping this in mind can help you have realistic expectations of what you can expect.

Being flexible not only helps prevent prevents possible disappointments if plans fall through, it also gives opportunities for spontaneous choices, such as suggestions given by locals sharing hidden gems that might not make it in the travel guides you researched before your trip. Allowing yourself to wander a bit may even lead to you stumbling upon an alley that is rich with local culture that you otherwise would not have found.

Sometimes it can even be just an unexpected stormy day that rains in on your parade (You see what I did there? Sorry, couldn’t help myself.) Point being, be prepared for your plans to be interrupted. It’s up to you to ensure it doesn’t spoil your whole trip by going with the flow, exploring in different and unexpected ways.

2. Learn Local Basic Words and Phrases

Although it would be an absolute dream for travelers (If given an opportunity with a genie, my personal wish would be to be fluent in every language ever created, but that’s besides the point.), no one expects you to be fluent in the language of every foreign country you travel to. If you are multi-lingual in many of the common traveling languages, hats off to you! I’m truly impressed and insanely jealous!

However, learning some simple phrases, such as "please," "thank you," and "hello" can help you go a long ways and help make life much easier on your trip.

When using the local tongue, locals will value your attempt to communicate in their language, even if it's only a few words. If you are in a big city, it’s likely that they will probably start speaking to you in English, even if very basic.

Attempting to speak in the local language can also help to avoid cultural misunderstandings. A big example is in the lovely country of France, where I currently live.

There is a huge stereotype that the French are rude. But, I’ll let you in on a little secret… Typically we, as English speakers, are the ones that are unintentionally rude. I know, I know, hard to hear. Let me explain…

In France, people like to be acknowledged when you enter an establishment. This serves as a simple “Bonjour.”

Here is the cultural misconception. In most, if not all, English-speaking countries, greeting someone with a friendly smile and politely asking a question or stating what you need is considered culturally appropriate.

However, in France, you HAVE to tell them hello first before going further into your conversation to not be unitentionally rude. But, if you really think about it, which sounds a bit more polite when first interacting with a local who lives in France?

#1 “Do you speak English?”

Or

#2 « Bonjour. Pardon… Parlez-vous anglais ? »

I’m going to guess you agree that the second choice seems to be a nicer approach. In my experience, and I have seen both ways happen, it is pretty much always a great way to get helpful and more friendly assistance using the second approach. Just imagine if someone came up to you in your native country and assumed that you speak their native language. A bit irritating, right?

Besides learning a few words and/or phrases, sometimes we need a bit more help being able to further communicate, especially in smaller cities where English is not nearly as prevalent.

When these sorts of language barriers come your way, a translation app, such as Google Translate, will be your best friend! Something that is important to note is that many of these apps run online. Thankfully, you can download the language pack for offline use, free of charge!

To download Google Translate for offline use, just follow these easy steps:

Be sure to connect to WiFi before starting
Open the Translate app
At the bottom right, select the language you want to download
Next to the language, tap “Download”
Tap “Download” when the pop-up box appears

As we all know, language is very important. But don’t let that scare you off from traveling to places with unfamiliar languages. You’ll do just fine and it is interesting to see the world in a new perspective with new languages. With the right tools at hand, you will be good to go!

3. Allow Yourself to Immerse into the Culture

One of the enriching things about travel is experiencing life in a different part of the world and getting a taste of the local way of life. Although tourist must-see sights are a definite on your list (Regardless of what people say, you’re still a tourist and there are tourist spots for a reason. Don’t hesitate to visit them!), be sure to take the time to learn about the culture in the destination you are visiting.

Before leaving home, be sure to research traditional events, festivities, and activities as well as what dishes the region is known for. This is a great way to really have an opportunity to connect with a culture and learn more about the things that make them who they are.
Although sometimes the food of another culture might look a bit intimidating and be a bit too foreign for the taste of some, I can guarantee there will at least be a few dishes you will be brave enough to try and will probably actually enjoy!

Even if it may be out of your comfort zone, don’t be scared to interact with the locals. The worst thing that could happen is you getting ignored, which is pretty unlikely. Some people get excited when they get to practice their English with native speakers and may even share some local hidden gems you may have never known about otherwise. If you’re staying at a hotel, don’t forget about the front desk! They are locals, too, and can give some great advice and suggestions!

Talking to fellow travelers could lead to more local adventures as well! Like you, other travelers strive to see some of the best places in the area and, chances are, they have probably seen a thing or two, especially if their vacation started before yours. It’s a great way to get some good recommendations of places to eat or unexpected sights to see. Remember, if you don’t like their recommendations, you don’t have to take them. However, it is always nice to have options!

One of the most important pieces of advice I could give that will help make your trip go smoothly, as well as potentially help prevent unintentional and uncomfortable cultural insults, is to take the time to research the cultural dos and don’ts of a destination.

For example, in some Asian cultures it is rude to hand or receive money with only one hand and it is polite to handle with both. Some areas of the world may find it insulting for women to not cover their hair in sacred buildings.

Doing a quick search online can help ensure you don’t unintentionally commit any faux-pas and potentially avoid some very awkward situations. And even if you do accidentally do something that is considered strange or rude, just pull out your knowledge of “sorry” in the local language and move on. Life goes on!

4. Travel Light and Smart

One of the best decisions you will ever make on a trip is to travel light. Packing only essentials not only makes mobility easier, but also reduces travel stress of having to lug it all around.

This is especially something to note if you plan on transferring to different locations during your trip on public transportation or are even walking to your hotel in between transit options. When you have too much luggage it can leave you more distracted, making you the perfect potential target for pickpockets. Even without the possibility of unhonest people, it can just be a paint to carry around multple heavy bags around and can put a damper on your experience.

To help you plan your packing list, research things such as cultural norms, climate, and attractions. This will help give you a better idea of what you will REALLY need. I know sometimes we want to look cute, but also pack realistically. Are you really going to wear those strappy stilettos in a city full of cobblestone streets when it may possibly rain? Or are you going to want to wear that wool suit jacket when it’s going to be a hot and humid evening?

The key is packing layering and versatile items that can also serve as multiple outfits. Be sure to choose nice, yet comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes that will work for a variety of activities. Bring layering items such as a scarf or cardigan sweater that can be used as a blanket on a chilly plane, a shoulder cover-up in religious areas, or even as as an item to use in areas that you aren’t as keen on sitting without some sort of barrier.

If you end up needing something, you can almost always purchase it if needed. If anything, you can gain a charming souvenir! Besides, sometimes it’s nice to have a valid excuse to buy that special item, am I right?

5. Stay Safe and Aware of Your Surroundings

Traveling is a great way to relax your mind and take care of your well being, but it’s also important to remember that not everyone is in the same vacation bubble you are in and may be looking for opportunities to take advantage of your carefree bliss.

You should always be mindful of your safety, especially when traveling in unfamiliar places. Before you leave on your vacation, take some time to learn about local laws, the culture, and even potential obstacles you may encounter.
Even though you will hopefully never need to use them, it is always a good idea to keep both digital and physical copies of important documents such as your passport, visa, and travel insurance. It is important to be prepared in cases of potential loss or theft to ensure you’re able to make your way back home safely.

For a extra layer of safety, share your travel plans and whereabouts with someone you trust back home, especially if you’re traveling solo. Check in with them daily to let them know you itinerary and if anything changes, even if it’s just through a quick text message. Your loved one will love to be helpful and will also probably feel a bit special to feel included on your adventure, even if from afar.

No matter where you are, it is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut and avoid risky situations, especially when traveling alone or at night. If your spidey-senses are telling you something is off, it probably is.

Be aware of tourist scams that may put you in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation by doing an online search of common scams at the travel destination to be ahead of the game. Common ones that come to mind are free gifts or bracelets, the “spill” trick, and taxi driver trick to name a few. If you are interested in learning more about common scams in toursit locations, check out my post, “Know Before You Go: 10 Common Tourist Scams and How to Avoid Them.”

When getting around from place to place, use reliable transportation options. There are some people that may pop around and ask if you need a ride. This is more than likely a scam and will put you in a really awkward situation. Instead, research transportation options ahead of time or ask the front desk of your hotel for some advice.

Although I’m sure it sounds like a no-brainer, avoid flashing valuables or cash in public. It is an easier mistake to make than you may think, especially during travel when you are digging for something you need in your bag.

Even with the mere mention of the subject, images from the past flash in my mind of my mom having her oversized purse stuffed to the brim, zipper unzipped, expensive Nikon camera resting on top with the strap hanging loose, and currency from the change she received in a shop sticking out while flapping in the wind. It’s easy to be caught off-guard when we are in a laid back vacation state of mind.

Always assume that someone is watching for an opportune moment when you make a slip up. To avoid this, make sure all of your zippers are zipped, your pockets are secured, and your items are in front of you. By doing these simple percautions, it will make you a less likely candidate of unfortunate pickpocketing.

Take that Trip!

As you can see, there really isn’t too much to ensuring you have a great time in the great scheme of things. With just a bit of planning, common sense, and an open mind to exploring new territory, you will be sure to have the time of a lifetime!

Just follow the 5 tips that we discussed previously, and you will be traveling like a pro in no time at all!

So, what’s next? Start planning, keep these tips in mind, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!

Need a bit more help preparing and are looking for more travel planning advice? Check out my other posts to make you feel more like a vacation ready travel veteran that help you make the most of your trip. Anyone can plan a great time with the right tools and resources. I’m here to ensure more people have access and knowledge of this travel know-how!

Have any tips you have learned along the way? Feel free to share below in the comments!

5 Sure Ways to Have a Great Experience on Your International Trip