Traveling, in general, can be a ton of fun as a teen. Traveling internationally takes everything about traveling and amps it up. The logistics, the cost, the adventures, all of it gets taken to new heights. For an extended international trip to be a success, you’ll need to make sure you’re properly prepared.
Arrange Legal Documents
International travel requires you to have a passport. According to Visa Guide, the standard processing time for a U.S. passport is 4 to 6 weeks, so that isn’t something you should wait on. You should also have a separate photo identification card. Drivers licenses are commonly used for this purpose. Depending on the country you’re visiting, you may need to obtain a visa as well. If you’re required to have one, you won’t be able to go without it. Don’t procrastinate getting your documents in order or you may find yourself unable to go on your trip.
Take Care of Your Health
It’s incredibly important to take measures to protect your health before you leave. You may need to get specific vaccines or boosters to protect yourself from diseases. Depending on how long you’ll be on your trip and the amount of space you have in your mouth, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed before you leave as well. According to Murfreesboro Family Dentistry, an X-ray at the dentist can tell if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Remember, your parents’ normal health insurance may not cover international medical care. The more you can do to avoid needing it, the better off you’ll be.
Learn About Where You’re Going
If you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time in a foreign country, take the time to learn about it before you leave. There are plenty of resources for learning foreign languages that you can take advantage of to learn useful words and phrases. Learn about the cultures in those countries. What is considered to be polite behavior where you’re from may be rude and vice versa. Learning about the people and their values can help you blend in more and avoid inadvertently insulting them.
Taking international trips takes a decent amount of preparation, especially for extended trips. Make sure you have all your legal documents in order, you’ve taken steps to protect your health, and you’re familiar with where you’re going. There are plenty of other things you’ll need to have in order as well, but those will get you off to a good start in your preparations.
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