10 Tips For Students Travelling Abroad

They say the world is a book and one who does not travel reads only one page. We all have a sense of wanderlust in each of us, but before travelling here are 10 tips before you embark on your journey:

1. Do research and plan your trip carefully

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You're probably in desperate need of that holiday but hold your horses! Remember to factor in peak season prices. Doing research and comparing prices before booking will not only save you a lot of money but also make your holiday more stress free.

2. Don’t plan too far ahead

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It’s definitely cheaper to buy plane tickets ahead of time, but do so wisely. Natural disasters and other unforeseen events can happen, even in the span of a week. Your summer getaway might not turn out like how you planned it if, say, it was hit by a typhoon.

According to a survey by CheapAir, air tickets are at their lowest around 54 days before take-off and the recommended booking period is 112 to 21 days before the date of flight.

3. Check out travel packages

Travel packages are convenient because they offer minimal planning, but there's a hack to getting those package prices even lower. MoneySavingExpert suggests booking packages 8-10 weeks earlier. This is because travel agencies have booked rooms and chartered flights, so leaving them empty would lead to their loss. Taking advantage of this will ensure you the best rates!

4. Don’t just consider hotels for accommodation

Check out hostels and rooms for rent too! All you really need on a holiday is a nice bed, access to a bathroom and easy connection to public transport. Carefully survey what choices you have before booking a room. There are great room rental services out there like AirBnb which not only guarantees you accommodation but interaction with locals and other tourists as well.

5. Make sure your bookings are safe and legitimate

Remember to book your flights or tour packages only on credible sites. According to an insight by iPrice, 62% of people worldwide fear financial fraud online. To lower the risk of being scammed or cheated, don't book when connected to free public WiFi and make sure the site you're on is secure (begins with https:// instead of http://).

It's essential that all your transactions stay safe, not only for security reasons but for your peace of mind as well. A holiday with lost money is bound to make anyone's mood sour.

6. Pack only the bare essentials

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Things like shampoos, towels and clothes immediately come to mind when packing, but remember: wherever you're going, they probably have those things too. Pack clothes and leave room instead for souvenirs. You can always buy toiletries and more clothes when you get there. Baggage overweight? Problem solved!

Not over packing will ensure you have a breezy journey and plenty of space in your luggage for that Vietnamese cone hat or those Belgium chocolates!

7. Don’t spend too much on transport

Taxis in any country are bound to be expensive, so taking public transportation would be the better choice. You'll get to save cash, experience a country better and create unique memories. Getting to see the different facets of a place and talking to people will give you a more interesting story to tell your friends and family when you get back.

8. Be considerate

Part of why people travel is because they want to experience a different culture. Different cultures have different norms and rules, so remember to be respectful and read up on what you ought not to do while visiting. An few examples would be observing the proper dress codes in Malaysian mosques and avoiding practices considered rude, like tipping in Japan.

9. Smile and meet local people

Never underestimate the power of a smile! Meeting and talking to local people will enrich your trip, increase your insight about their country and even get recommendations.

10. Don’t spend too much time taking pictures

Taking pictures are a requisite for any tourist as they last long and they serve as mementoes from your travels. There's nothing wrong with taking pictures, but in the age of social media we document everything yet at the same time we don't experience it. Enjoy the moment and save posting about it on social media for when you come back.