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Whether this is your first time abroad for school or for fun, you will definitely be learning a lot about international travel. With a little help from us, you won’t be learning your lessons the hard way…
Mistake #1:
Exchanging Currency at the Airport or at Any Currency Exchange
Get euros beforehand at your bank for free (or for a smaller fee than the other methods will charge), and save your money for something more important. Exchange rates for banks tend to be slightly better than exchange rates elsewhere, as banks receive wholesale rates that aren’t available to the general public.
Mistake #2:
Not Appreciating Time in the Moment
Step away from the computer and your cell phone. You may never have this chance again, so ignore the wifi, facebook, instagramming etc. and save it for later.
Mistake #3:
Not Utilizing That Expensive First Plane Ticket
In most cases, you already paid for the most expensive plane ticket, the initial one to cross over the ocean. Extend your trip and add in a couple intracontinental flights to countries close by.
Mistake #4:
Failing to Extend Your Friend Circle
Sure it’s fun to make new friends within your student group or spend more time with existing ones, but don’t ignore the local people that could also become lifelong acquaintances and teach you a thing or two about their culture. Expanding your comfort zone and meeting new people can be very rewarding.
Mistake #5:
Thinking Your Invincible
It’s a different country, and what “flies” in America, may not “fly” all over the world. Be careful, pay attention to the rules and customs in your visiting country. The only thing worse than getting locked away in America, is being put in jail overseas.
Mistake #6:
Not Understanding the Currency Rate
I once paid $20 for a 6 pack of soda. Don’t make the same mistake. Research the currency rate before you arrive and have a good idea of what you should be paying for things. In some countries, price tags are omitted, and you will have to trust someone’s verbal quote.
Mistake #7:
Booking All of Your Weekend Trips Ahead of Time
Some trips are really weather dependent and if you book everything ahead of time, you won’t have the chance to alter your plans. One time I traveled to Costa Rica and had to change my entire route after learning a storm was hitting the whole West Coast. I was in La Fortuna, a town overshadowed by a 5,437 foot Volcano, and couldn’t even see the volcano due to pouring rain and low visibility. If you plan on doing anything outdoors, wait until you are overseas to choose a good weekend to book. Intercontinental flights will be cheap, even at the last minute.
Mistake #8:
Overpaying for So So Food
Don’t eat near the tourist destinations. You can find better quality and cheaper food on the side streets. Eat like a local. How do you spot the tourist destinations? The advertisements are usually big cheesy signs in English. If you want an excellent meal, you should have to point at the menu item because you have no idea how to pronounce it.
Mistake #9:
Getting Cut Off
Remember to tell your bank about your trip and which countries you will be visiting before you take off. It’s not fun when you’re in the middle of a foreign country and you’ve been cut off from your money supply.
Mistake #10:
International Fees
If you’re used to only using your debit card in America, this one can hit you especially hard. Remember to get a debit card or credit card with no international fees. For credit cards, I highly recommend the Capital One Venture Card, which has no international fees. For banking cards, Charles Schwab and TD Bank both have no foreign transactions fees (although the ATM your using still might charge you). If it’s too late, just remember that you will be charged, so take out cash in larger amounts to avoid frequent deductions. You can also ask your bank if they have any partnerships with other banks in your destination country. This way, you can use those ATMs to avoid costly fees.
For more information and comparative tools for travel finance & credit cards, you can visit Credit Card Insider’s Travel Resource.
Mistake #11:
Spending All Of Your Cash
In a lot of places, they don’t accept credit cards like they do in America. Sometimes they have special chips that our cards don’t. You don’t want to be stranded with only a credit card in a foreign city. Never spend all of your cash. If you’re running low, find an ATM.
Mistake #12:
Trusting Everyone
A lot of people will try to help you, “the confused tourist”, out. Maybe they are just being nice, and maybe they aren’t. The pick pockets in other countries are on another level, they are experts at what they do and they can make a living out of it. Someone may be trying to help you get a train ticket or help you use an ATM machine. Do not trust them. Keep your cards and your cash out of reach until they leave. In Spain they will unzip your purse from right under your armpit and steal your wallet, in Rome they will cut your purse strings, and in Prague they can steal the wallet from the butt of your boyfriend’s pants.
Mistake #13:
Not Taking Advantage of Learning
Immerse yourself in the culture and don’t be scared to speak the language. You may never have the opportunity to get this much practice again. You can return to America and purchase Rosetta Stone for hundreds of dollars, or you can gain 100x as much experience in the real setting.
Mistake #14:
Being Too Worried About Money
While you should be careful when spending money on currency exchange, credit card fees, and other petty things, you shouldn’t be too worried about money when it comes to investing in new experiences. You’ll never remember how much money you spent swimming with the sharks in Australia or sky diving the Alps in Switzerland, but you will remember the experience.
This post is in collaboration with Credit Card Insider. Visit their website to compare credit cards and find the best one for your travel.
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