Travelling abroad seems to be a rite of passage for all students – with plenty of free-time and very little holding you back – taking the opportunity to pack up and leave for an entirely new country or continent should not be missed!
If you are getting ready to travel abroad, taking a world tour with your Uni friends or spending a week relaxing somewhere exotic, then you might be looking for some advice and guidance.
Travelling anywhere in the world can pose a challenge, especially for someone who has never travelled on their own or in a big group before.
This blog will provide you with detailed travel advice and tips to help you get the most out of your trip.
Travel on a budget and have backup cash ready
Being a student means one thing – everything is on a budget, but this shouldn’t mean that travel has to be dull.
Budgeting for each day can keep you from spending large amounts of money and leaving you in a tight situation.
Before you travel, visit your bank or currency exchange to receive the cash you need for the country you are travelling to, using your bank card abroad is not only inconvenient but can lead to hidden charges if your bank isn’t aware of your travels.
Using paper-based currency also means you can put aside a small or large amount cash to help you if you run into any difficulties.
Having backup money, international roaming phone, clothes and travel documents should be a priority to sort out before and during your travel.
Get advice from family and friends
If you are worried about your travels abroad or don’t know what to expect, you may want to seek advice and support from someone who has been there and got the t-shirt.
Talking to a family member or friend who has spent an extended amount of time abroad can give you all the advice you need to travel prepared.
University also has this shared sense of community, if you are seeking advice for an upcoming journey, ask one of your tutors or past students for tips on their travels.
Every bit of advice, big or small, can go a long way in easing your worries for what will no doubt be a brilliant time.
Plan, plan, plan!
The travelling, places you’ll visit and food you’ll eat are only part of the journey, most of the things you will experience while away from home will be planned in advance, this is important as it not only prepares you for the trip but makes sure that you have something to do on every day of your travels – so not a day is wasted.
Detailed travel itineraries, pre-booking tickets and sleeping plans (if travelling with friends especially) are all very useful and take the stress out of finding things to do while you are abroad.
Use your student discounts to your advantage
Every student has heard of the NUS card and UNiDAYS app, but when you are travelling, one discount card you can’t forget to use is your International Student Identity card (or more commonly known as an ISIC card).
If you order a card before you travel or use a digital version, for a slightly lower price, you can receive more than 150,000 benefits and, notably, 40,000 discounts in more than 130 countries.
Getting vaccinated is more important than you think
Before travelling, booking an appointment with a local travel clinic is just as important as packing your suitcase or booking your flight.
If you have planned in advance, your travel clinician can help you stay safe and disease-free with handy travelling advice and life-saving travel vaccinations.
Getting vaccinated is a great way to put your mind of ease during your travels, but when you return home, visiting your travel clinic once more should be a high priority.
Taking the initiative to visit a clinician once more can diagnose any symptoms or issues you may have, having come back from your trip. Contracting diseases and illnesses unique to certain high-risk areas such as Asia, Africa, parts of Southern America, and Eastern Europe to can be difficult to spot unless you receive professional help.
If you are looking for a local travel clinic to provide professional guidance, or are in need of an emergency consultation for an upcoming trip, then you can visit https://www.travelclinicnearme.co.uk/ to book a free, impartial and tailored consultation to get you ready for your trip of a lifetime.
