As summer vacation approaches and the weather begins to warm up, some may want to get out and travel.
Traveling gives one the chance to take a step outside of their hometown and see the world, both nationally and internationally.
“I like to get out of this town since it is so small,” senior Victoria Rwizi said. “I also like being able to see the world from a different perspective and not just staying at home.”
Though traveling can be an exciting experience at times, it can also be frustrating due to factors that one may not have thought about beforehand.
Therefore, it is important for one to consider many details before leaving for their next trip. Here are some of the most important tips that one can follow to make their vacation as stress-free as possible:
Safety
When traveling, safety should always be one’s top priority. Focusing on safety ensures that one is being secure and attentive when traveling anywhere.
“Safety should be the biggest concern no matter what you do,” Spanish teacher Conner McNeely said. “So when you are traveling, safety should be the number one concern, because if you are not safe, you can’t enjoy your trip.”
In order to be safe, one should always have their phone with them and have their location on and shared with friends and family members.
Doing this is vital because if something happens and that person has their location on, it can help play a crucial role in determining where they are and if they are safe.
“I always have my location on … so my kids know my location at all times,” Travel Club sponsor and English teacher Dawn Fowerbaugh said. “I think that is an important part of being safe, having someone that knows where you are at all times.”
When traveling, one should never go out alone in an unfamiliar area. It is important to make sure that if someone is going out, they go in groups.
“Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations,” McNeely said. “If you are unfamiliar with an area, I wouldn’t go alone.”
Know what to expect
When traveling to a foreign country or place, it is important to know what to expect and be prepared just in case the unexpected occurs.
One of the essential ways to do this is to make sure to pack according to the weather in the destination one is traveling to.
If the place is hot and humid, make sure to pack shorts and t-shirts. If the place is cold, pack heavier clothes in order to stay warm.
“Look up the weather before you go,” Rwizi said, “because I was bringing jeans when I went to Mexico, and it was 90 degrees, and I only brought one pair of shorts, which was the dumbest thing I (have) ever done in my life.”
Additionally, one should make sure to do research before leaving to go on their trip. This ensures that they know everything about the place they are traveling to ahead of time.
When traveling internationally, some countries have different practices from those in the U.S.
For example, according to Rwizi, in some foreign countries, water is not free because their water is potentially unsafe to drink. So it is very important to make sure that all information, especially regarding essentials such as water, is known before making a trip.
“Do tons of research ahead of time (and) know what to expect. If the unexpected happens, have a plan in place,” McNeely said.
While going with the flow may be one way of going about a trip, having a plan helps one figure out what to do and what to see in that area as well.
When traveling, according to German exchange student Adele Kluessendorf, it is important to make sure one’s plan includes seeing anything and everything when traveling to make the best out of the trip.
“Go wherever you want to go and do whatever you can … like in a different country or a different nation,” Kluessendorf said. “Everything can be fun, so just do everything.”
Budgeting
While traveling, buying various souvenirs and the experiences can be a way to remember one’s trip. However, the prices of these items can be expensive at times, which can cause one to spend more money than they intended to.
In order to make sure someone isn’t making big financial cuts, they should have an idea of how much money they would like to spend.
When one has a limited amount of money to spend, it helps them to spend some time solely on their trip instead of breaking the bank.
“Have a set idea of a budget before you go out there,” Fowerbaugh said. “I would make sure you have a set limit and stick to that before you go out.”
Before one’s trip, they should make sure to watch out for potential deals or discounts they could receive.
Any method of saving money is a good method. With these deals or discounts, one could receive a markdown on resort prices or plane tickets.
“Just staying updated on deals and (seeing) when the cheapest time to go is to go to a certain place can definitely save a lot of money,” Rwizi said.
Hauling around cash may not be the most efficient way to handle one’s money. The easiest and most effective option when traveling is using a credit or debit card.
This helps ensure someone that none of their money might get lost or stolen. With a credit or debit card, all of a person’s money is right there within that card, so there is no worry if anything goes missing.
“Cash is never a good thing to (use),” Kluessendorf said. “The best things are credit cards because you see very quick how much money you spend and also keep an eye on it.”
While traveling can overall be a very stressful experience, it can also help people explore the world around them, which can possibly lead to a life-changing experience.
“Everyone should go travel at least once out of the country because it’s really fun,” Rwizi said.
