Traveling abroad can be a scary, confusing challenge for first-time international travelers and even seasoned travelers. The best way to face this challenge is to always keep an open and flexible mind, be prepared with available resources and take a deep breath! Listed below are different applications, tips and tricks to help you navigate your travels abroad with ease. Also, it's important to note that not everything may go according to plan each time while traveling, but that's OK; stay flexible and keep on keeping on!
Booking Flights
Booking flights or airline travel can be a tad confusing especially given the number of airlines and different booking websites available in today's digital age. I've found that Skyscanner is a great online website to search for flights to your desired destination and oftentimes shows the cheapest route! This service can also be tailored to find the fastest options, no layover and more when thinking of airline travel. Once you find a great option, I would always recommend visiting the airline's official website and enter the details of the flight you found to ensure you've found a reliable option. Then you should book from the official airline site to prevent any chance of getting scammed, which can occasionally happen when booking directly from third-party sites. And, be sure to refer to any instructions from your study abroad program!
Transportation
Transportation while living in another country is one of the key details to understand when trying to navigate to and from your desired destinations. The easiest and most reliable way that I've found to navigate is by using applications like Moovit, which can be downloaded from the Apple and Android store. This application lets you set your current location for the most up to date and reliable transport methods. You input your starting location or actual location and then simply your destination. The app will provide multiple ways for you to reach your desired location based on the forms of public transportation available to you. It provides live time schedules of many buses and trains to ensure you are aware of when you need to leave. It can also be used to navigate transportation on foot. I have used this application while in South America and during my time here in Italy currently and it has been a tremendous help in navigating the cities. However, when in doubt and if you're confused, never be afraid to ask for help! The locals are usually very friendly no matter where you travel in the world and they're the best source of information for questions like this and perhaps a local favorite for dinner!
When traveling abroad, you should always be aware of your surroundings. A busy bus, crowd of people waiting to hop on the train, or even the local pub can all be places where pickpockets or thieves may try to target tourists. If you have a small bag or purse, you should always try to have it across your chest when in crowded places or on public transportation so one does not try to steal from you. For guys specifically, it is often that their wallet or other items are taken from their back pocket. Therefore, you should try to keep these items in your front pockets. This is not meant to scare you or serve as a barrier to you traveling abroad and experiencing many amazing cultures and destinations. It is simply a reminder to be aware of what is happening around you and where your important items are while traveling abroad. Being aware can also help you find the hidden restaurants and local favorites as you explore new places!
Cheap Accommodations
Depending on your preferences, hostels or Airbnb's may be great, cheaper alternatives to staying in hotels on your international travels. Airbnb's offer different lodging options and the ability to book in advance with secure hosts. Many of these lodging options also come at a fraction of the price of most hotels specifically designed with tourists in mind. If you are more interested in an exciting atmosphere and meeting fellow travelers, a hostel may be more suitable for you. Hostels are typically shared living spaces and come at usually very cheap rates compared to hotels and even Airbnb's. This lodging option is a fantastic way to meet other travelers from around the world. Hostels can vary from having co-ed shared rooms, gender specific or even private rooms. Many hostels even have their own restaurants inside or offer free meal options during your stay. In order to make sure you find the hostel that best fits your interests, be sure to look on the Hostelworld application or online website.
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Chaz Robinson completed an Internship in Italy for his master's degree in Higher Education during the Summer 2022 at the U of A Rome Center, with support from the Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.
You can start planning your adventure abroad
today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
