Nervous About A Trip Abroad? Five Ways To Be At Ease

Going on your first trip abroad can be terrifying, especially if you have never truly traveled anywhere beforehand. Different cultures, foods, and social norms can make any traveler homesick and stressed, but this initial culture shock is good for the soul, and it is good for you.

At the end of the day, a person is a person. We all like fairly similar things, we have similar likes, dislikes, and we each have dreams of our own. Overcoming the initial culture shock will help you realize that you are more alike to the people you meet abroad than you might feel to your own parents sometimes.

Still, the nervousness you feel before you land is natural, and the best way to be at ease before you settle in is to use these top five tips:

1. Find Common Ground Before You Touch Ground

Your destination might be on the other side of the world, but chances are you have common ground with everyone there. Just look at this Cash Lady superhero movie infographic; all of your favorite Marvel and DC films are just as popular around the world as they are back home.

From top TV shows, to movies, to big cult events — you are guaranteed to have something to talk about when you meet new people. This ranges from the newest show release on Netflix to a big best-selling author. They might not have experienced it in English, but they know the story and that is your common ground.

2. Learn a Few Common Phrases and Words

Though the chances of people being able to understand and speak English well are very high no matter where you go, it is worth learning a few key phrases and words. This will especially help when you take public transport and learn how to pronounce locations when asking for directions.

3. Invest in Cell Coverage Abroad

When in doubt, follow this Vox article about buying coverage from your own provider when you are abroad. Or, simply invest in a SIM card when you are there. In some cases, you will need to get your hotel or hostel to accept and even order your SIM card for you, as there are location barriers.

For example, often times you might need to be a resident to receive a pay-as-you-go SIM. There are workarounds for this, but do be aware of what you need to do and get it done before your flight.

4. Opt for Social Accommodation

Hostels and other social accommodation options that focus on bringing people together and making friends are a great option. Even if you don’t want to stay in a hostel itself, it is worthwhile seeing if there are any social groups or activities going on that you can simply join.

5. Focus on Group Experiences

Another way to meet friends, ease your worries, and really enjoy your time abroad is to join social group experiences. Think of a dancing class in a traditional style, or a cooking class that teaches you a traditional dish.

When you planning for any trip alone, or have the goal of meeting a lot of people and expanding your world-view, the enormity of what you are doing can be intimidating. With this guide, however, you can feel more at ease when you are traveling and make many friends before you go.