Preparing for International Travel in an Uncertain Time

Preparing for International Travel in an Uncertain Time

International travel is challenging in the best of times. No matter how experienced you are, customs, jetlag, and language barriers make this form of travel potentially difficult for anyone. It’s no help that the international political situation is a little more tenuous than we’ve been used to in recent years. With an ongoing travel ban in effect in the United States, and international relations between multiple countries becoming ever more strained, it’s important to prepare for the worst when traveling overseas, even as you hope for the best.

First of all, you’ve got to consider what you’d do if something went wrong. What if you weren’t able to get a flight home? What would you do?

The answers come in several forms. For one, you’d need to have a way to communicate with people back home, be they family, friends, or colleagues. You shouldn’t rely on a single mode of communication. Bring along NobelCom prepaid phone cards. Research all of the internet cafes in the area in which you will be traveling. Consider a VPN for internet privacy on your laptop computer. Write letters if you have to. You should be confident that if something goes wrong, you’ll always have a way to get in touch with the people back home.

Next, know where your countries embassy is located. You should have the number memorized, or at least written down and stowed away in your wallet. If something goes wrong, this will be your greatest resource, so you should definitely understand how to get in touch with them at a moment’s notice, and where they are located. If possible, be in touch with people in the country who speak your language: colleagues, friends, friends of friends, distant family members. It’s good to have people who have your back in a foreign country, even if you’re not personally close.

Gain a basic understanding of the language spoken in the region you’ll be traveling in. This can help you get help in a time of trouble. Also, have redundant documentation and cash, just in case something is stolen. This is why the United States Passport Office offers Passport Books and Passport Cards. They’ll both get you where you’re going, but if one is lost, you’ll still have the other.

Do some research on the legal and political situation in the country you’re traveling within, specifically as they pertain to people from your country. Are there dress restrictions that you might run afoul of? What is the local feeling about your religion or nationality? What is your home country’s relationship with the country in which you are traveling?

There are many things that can go wrong when you travel internationally. Most of the time, these aren’t big deals, but occasionally you hear horror stories. To keep a snafu from turning into a disaster on your next trip, be prepared for the worst. Hopefully (and probably) everything will go smoothly, but you can’t be too prepared. Good luck with all your international travels in the coming months!