Know Before You Go: Top Ten Things to Do Before Boarding Your Flight

10. Buying Clothes There. If you want to pack light and purchase clothing abroad there are several things you want to find out. You should find out if your size is a common size in the region where you're headed, what the climate is usually like in each season, and which outlet stores and name brands are popular in the area. Business articles on retail profit can help you find the more popular brands and direct you to the brand websites where you'll be able to see the trends and just how pricey those trends are. Try fashion blogs like these as well, http://www.lesmads.de/outfit/. 

9. Figure Out Your Money Situation. Create a travel budget that allows for emergencies and discrepancies. Find out if your bank card works internationally. Add your parents or another individual you trust to your bank account and other important accounts in case something goes wrong. Check exchange rates and bring the correct amount of money plus a little extra to exchange your currency in the airport. Make a list of all the areas you're willing to sacrifice a bit of spending. There will always be one or two things you never realized you needed till you were there. It might mean eating at slightly less fancy establishments, or not buying a souvenir for everyone. Be practical about it and be willing to live with the choices you make; no one wants to spend their travel time pouting. 

8. Airline Regulations. Find out everything you possibly can about your airline's regulations. Many U.S. airlines allow forty-five pounds of carry on luggage, and fifty per bag under the plane, while foreign airlines may only allow twenty to thirty pounds total for carry on. If you're transferring to an international flight you are usually allowed two checked bags, but you will have to (politely) explain your travel plans to the airline worker, especially if you're also transferring airlines. Find out their policy on lost or mistagged luggage. Double check at the counter that you know when you have to claim your checked bags again (transferring from international to domestic you  have to recheck your luggage) and if you're worried about your luggage not making it through just inquire at the courtesy counter for your airline at the next airport if your bags have been transferred correctly. What are their policies if your flight is canceled, when do they have to provide hotel rooms and meal stipends? Most importantly check the TSA website for banned items and items not allowed in your carry on, this will speed up your screening process.  

7. Cultural Differences. Find out what is common or uncommon where you're headed. For example, in South Korea many subway/bus station bathrooms do not stock toilet paper, instead in most bathrooms you are able to buy small packets of tissue like you would tampons just inside the door for fifty cents a packet, while in other locations they might not offer this feature, so it's a good plan to keep a pack on you at all times. 

6. Be Informed. Find out what necessities you can and can't buy where you're headed. This includes medicine. Feminine products (for example) are usually not the same from country to country. Find out if the brand you use is sold in other countries and which retailers stock them. I know this sounds tedious, but if you're tight on luggage space packing six months or a year's worth of feminine products just might not be that practical, not to mention you'll be super annoyed if you find out after the fact they do carry your brand. The same goes for sunscreen, makeup, and shaving products. These kinds of things (for seven and six) are easiest found on forums and websites specifically made for foreigners by region. A little internet digging should bring up a few different sites depending on which country(ies) you're visiting. Join one or two and ask questions. 

5. Save Your Media. If traveling with your computer buy an external hard drive and copy all your photos, music, and documents over and leave it with someone you trust. If you plan on working or taking a large quantity of pictures while traveling consider purchasing a second external hard drive or a 16 GB USB. It sounds excessive, but it can be a lifesaver if you have a computer crash or have items stolen. If you're not an electronics person or you just don't have the time to devote to this task Best Buy and many local computer stores offer this service. 

4. Protect Your Electronics. Find out if you can purchase a plan from your electronic devices' manufacturers that will cover your devices worldwide. I purchased an Aspire One from Acer just before heading overseas at Walmart and was able to add a plan for fifty dollars that allowed me to ship my computer back to the manufacturer for repairs no matter what happened no matter where it happened and it really put me at ease about traveling with my computer. 

3. Get Insurance, Traveler's insurance. Find a program that best suits not only the area your traveling to, but what you're bringing with you on your journey. If you're in college ask your university's study abroad adviser for assistance. If you're not in college you still might be able to find out what plan universities are using by visiting their website or calling the office yourself. 

2. Healthcare, Get It. This includes everything you need to do before leaving your home country like shots or filling up on prescriptions and getting doctor's notes that are translated into the language of your destination, but it also means having traveler's healthcare.  Sometimes you can get this as part of your travelers insurance, sometimes it's a separate ordeal altogether. Ask around and do some research. This is the same as traveler's insurance. If your local college has a study abroad program then they usually have a study abroad healthcare plan, and it's a good way to start the search.

1. Be Safe. Register your trip (no matter how long it is) with the Department of State (https://step.state.gov/step/). The most important thing about any traveling is to stay smart. Registering with the Department of State means if something goes wrong wherever you are the government will have a much easier time trying to help you out of that situation. It also updates you on the closest embassy or consulate. On top of that you should also do a Google maps search of the nearest U.S. military base. Not only is this important in emergency situations, it can also be a great way to meet other Americans who are going through the same struggles that everyone faces while living/traveling abroad.