The opportunity to travel worldwide is wonderful indeed, but international travel calls for extra preparation. You can''t enter most foreign countries without a passport and related paperwork. Some exotic locations require proof of immunization or travel visas.
Check with the consulate of your destination to determine which, if any, immunizations are required for entry into the country. When you see your doctor to get the necessary shots, make sure you receive all the appropriate certificates and paperwork.
A passport is a document that''s issued by the State Department. It establishes your identification and your citizenship. You''ll need it to get into a foreign country and to get back home at the end of your trip.
If you have a passport already, make sure it hasn''t expired. A passport must be renewed every ten years. Government offices and branches of the U.S. Post Office have the forms you''ll need to fill out and mail in. Make sure you leave plenty of time for processing so that you have your passport well ahead of your departure date.
At all times, carry your passport securely. If your passport is lost or stolen while you''re still in the U.S., go to the nearest passport acceptance office and report it. If it''s lost while you''re out of the country, contact the local U.S. Embassy immediately.
On the way into any country, including re-entry into your own country, you must go through customs. You''ll have to present your passport and possibly make a declaration as to why you''re entering the country (for business or for pleasure, for instance) and any specific items that you might be bringing into the country. Take the process seriously. Answer questions from the customs inspector simply and directly. If any problems occur, ask to speak with a supervisor.
Being able to communicate clearly makes all the difference in the world. The more you understand, the higher the quality of your trip.
If you don''t speak the local language at all, do yourself a big favor and learn basic vocabulary and phrases. Learn how to say "yes" and "no." Become proficient with statements like "I speak only a little Chinese" and "Where is the bathroom?" Learn to count from one to ten, too. You''d be surprised what a big difference a little knowledge can make in your trips.