Unlike citizens in Europe or other parts of the world, most Americans do not like to travel outside of the country. While 35 percent of Americans have passports, only 3.5% of them travel abroad. Richard G. Robbins of Short Hills, NJ is one of those Americans who enjoy traveling domestically and abroad. Richard G. Robbins of Short Hills, NJ says he has learned so much about life just seeing how others in different countries engage with their surroundings.
Sure, visiting the great historical sites and natural wonders of the world is enlightening, but often the best parts of traveling is just seeing the things people of other countries do every day – what they eat, how they interact with one another, why they celebrate the things they do. Yes, you can read books and watch documentaries about different countries, but there’s nothing like being there in person.
However, Richard G. Robbins of Short Hills, NJ understands that it can be intimidating to travel outside of the country – especially when you might not have an understanding of the spoken language or the country’s customs. Here a few things he would recommend you understand about traveling abroad for the first time:
You Will Need a Passport: Your passport is your ticket out of the country for a short period of time. It’s not a big investment – no more than $125 – and there are passport acceptance facilities in most towns. For example, your post office is a passport acceptance facility. In most countries, you won’t need a visa to enter, which brings us to our next point.
Choose a Destination: Where you want to go is up to you, but Richard G. Robbins of Short Hills, NJ would recommend you choose a destination that isn’t too complicated regarding the logistics. That means you shouldn’t try renting a car as driving in a foreign country can be a unique and stressful experience. As a first-time traveler, you should stick with a city where everything is within walking distance or accessible by public transportation.
Learn a little bit about the Country before You Visit: You don’t have to be an expert on your destination country, but it might be a good idea to learn a few basics before you go. For one, understanding how to say “do you speak English?” in the native language is a good start. Learn what the weather will be like, the currency exchange rate, and cultural standards, so you aren’t surprised when you get off the plane.
While the first trip abroad will likely be a little intimidating, it will also be a lot of fun if you know and understand the basics of traveling abroad.