tips to get ready for foreign trip

In order to be an effective volunteer not to mention enjoy your time abroad you will need to take good care of your health. This means getting any necessary vaccinations (visit one of the links below to learn more about what vaccinations are recommended or required for the country you will be visiting), ensuring that you have medical coverage abroad (including asking if its provided by a volunteer-sending organization, notifying any existing insurance carrier of your international plans, and/or purchasing insurance), and taking with you enough needed medical supplies (insulin, prescription drugs, etc.) For more information on health insurance abroad, read this page by the University of Michigan International Center.It's also a good idea to prepare to be at your optimum physical and mental health before departing; between the different diets and culture shock, your body will likely be going through some pretty dramatic changes. Prepare for this by fitting in some extra exercise while still at home (walking is a great low stress option) and, to boost your immune system, eating healthy foods rich in vitamins. If possible, try to incorporate some of the foods you will be eating abroad into your diet before you leave. And if you are a vegetarian or vegan, be sure to research what your options will be; if you are heading to a locale where most people eat meat, you will want to think of some feasible alternatives in advance.

Speaking of personal safety, while you should have already done your research to learn more about safety and security issues in your region of choice, you should also come up with an emergency exit plan. This can be following the procedures of your volunteer-sending organization (most reputable programs will have them) as well as your home countrys embassy (again, a good reason to register with them) or simply developing your own exit strategy. Also, check to see if emergency services are covered by your health or travel insurance (read this article by Peter Greenberg for more information on travel insurance). Whatever the case, be clear on what to do should you run into trouble abroad.

Its a good idea to carry some local currency with you (you can exchange it at a bank before leaving your home country, exchange upon arrival, or withdraw from a local bank machine, be sure to confirm that your ATM card will work abroad as some countries have different limits for PIN lengths), travelers checks are also a safe option but may be difficult to use in rural areas. Also, most credit cards provide protection against theft, just be sure to let them know you will be traveling abroad or they may interpret your new international activity as a stolen card and put a freeze on your account (requiring a cumbersome phone call to unfreeze).If you'll be gone for a long period of time, consider opening a joint bank account with a trusted family member (or giving this person power of attorney over your existing account). This will enable your relative to make deposits, write checks, and perform other maintenance on your bank account while you are away. Even if your bank has branches in the country where you will be, do not count on being able to do many of these activities yourself few global banks treat customers with accounts from another country the same way they treat local clients.

Before you go, be sure to plot out your own thoughts, goals, and motivations. Spend some time writing down your goals for your volunteer experience what you hope to realistically accomplish, what you'd like to learn and create a list of places you'd like to see, sites you did like to visit, and experiences you did like to take part in. Think of this as your own personal road map.

Just having a new, shiny passport with its 24 blank pages just waiting to be filled is extremely empowering. Carry it around in your purse with you. Use it as your primary form of identification. When that unbelievable deal for a package deal to Paris pops up, or someone asks you to join them in Timbuktu next week, say yes. Belles with passports often surprise themselves. Now plan your heart out.

Beyond just being a form of communication, language is an important component of any culture. Put yourself in the mind of a four year old and learn your verbal manners in a foreign tongue by memorizing how to say these six phrases: Please, thank you, yes sir, no sir, hello, and goodbye. Perhaps order some CDs of local music in your favorite genres. A few language learning CDs are fine, but do not feel the need to go overboard! I have seen it time and time again, where overachievers learn to say more than a few things so well that they fool the natives into thinking that they also understand everything! This is a prime example of how a little knowledge can be dangerous!

No problem if math is not your thing. Figure out the foreign equivalents of frequently used denominations, so you are not going around trying to pay $20 dollars instead of $2 for a bottle of water. For most of us, knowing the equivalents of $1, $10 and $100 is adequate. Even if you are using a credit card for most purchases while traveling abroad, its important to understand how many zeros equal your price point!

Determine if you will need a plug adapter and/or a voltage converter. In order to avoid high prices at the airport, purchase ahead of time. (This is similar to having a passport: If you have it, you will travel.)

The stomach of steel that has served you and your epicurean ways well for many years may be in for a big surprise. Natural, yet unfamiliar bacteria can reap havoc on your system. Travel with precautionary over-the-counter medications, and hopefully they will not become your favorite thing you packed.

Cellphones, iPods, laptops, Kindles, cameras, GPS devices: The list goes on and on. Especially if moving from place to place during your trip, try leaving the laptop behind unless you absolutely need it for work. Keep cord chaos away by using something like the Callpod Chargepod Six-way Mobile Device Charging System. Or for on-the-go charging consider the Callpod Fueltank UNO Portable Single Device Charger.