What Not to Wear

When traveling abroad, it is extremely important to be aware of the culture of each country you will be visiting. In particular, make sure you have done some previous research about dress/attire etiquette of each country. 

Here is a list of five things NOT to wear traveling abroad!

1) Short shorts: It is important to remain modest in foreign countries because many countries have much stricter dress codes than the United States. Short shorts are often very revealing and can be seen as offensive to many people. So, bring out those cargo and bermuda shorts and rock them while you are abroad! 

2) Flashy jewelry: In foreign countries, flashy jewelry can be seen as a sign of wealth and may send locals the wrong message. As a result, flashy jewelry may make you more vulnerable to pick-pocketing or any other type of theft. Personally, I have two rings that I never take off and couldn't seem to part with while I was abroad. If you find yourself in this same predicament, a helpful tip is to turn your rings to the inside of your fingers so that they aren't as noticeable. 

3) Open-toe shoes: This is a serious no-no when traveling abroad, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking! Open-toed shoes are dangerous and leave you with a much greater risk of injury when pursuing around streets than may be foreign to you. Wearing closed-toes shoes is a much smarter option and will help prevent insect bites or cuts on your toes, which could potentially lead to infection if the conditions are unsanitary. 

4) Tight clothing: Similar to short shorts, tight clothing can be seen as a sign of sexuality and can be perceived as offensive in many cultures. While tight clothing may be popular in the United States, it is not worn frequently in other countries, as people typically remain modest with their clothing. Also, tight clothing can be uncomfortable and hot if you have a full day of activities ahead. So, stay on the safe and comfortable side and wear looser, more baggy clothes when abroad.

5) Tank- tops: Tank tops are also not nearly as popular around the world as they are in the United States. For most cultures, tank tops are too revealing, as many countries avoid exposing their arms and shoulders in public. As a sign of respect, leave those tank tops at home and resort to shirts that will, at the very least, cover your shoulders. 

Be Healthy!

When preparing to study abroad in a foreign country, it is important to gain a balanced perspective. Safety is a global, national, regional, and local phenomenon. With all of the initial excitement traveling to a new country comes with, sometimes health and safety can be overlooked. It is very important to put your health and safety at the very top of your priority list when traveling.

Like we have previously mentioned, it is so important to do your research before you embark on your journey. The internet is full of resources that can give very useful information regarding the health conditions and precautions you should take in the country to which you are visiting. When doing your research, it is important to see what vaccines a particular country requires you to have before visiting. You don’t always  need vaccinations to travel abroad. If you   do, the recommended vaccinations will vary, depending on:

• which country you’re visiting and, in some cases, which part of the country
• the season or time of year when you’ll be travelling, for example the rainy season
• whether you’ll be staying in a rural area or an urban or developed area
• what you’ll be doing during your stay, such as working in or visiting rural areas
• how long you’ll be staying
• your age and health

It is very important to make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup to get these vaccines and even some antibiotics that could be essential to your health if you were to become ill when abroad. It is also important to research nearby hospitals and clinics that are going to be within the area of where you will be. When it comes to traveling to a new and unfamiliar place, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Food and water tend to be very tricky in foreign countries. Here in the United States, we don’t really have to think twice about drinking tap water or what we are ordering in a restaurant. When abroad, it can be difficult to tell what is okay for your body and what could get you very sick. ALWAYS stick with bottled and sealed water. Even when you are brushing your teeth, do not use the sink water. Tap water in other countries can be very contaminated and cause you to become very sick. Buying bottled water every day could get expensive, but again it is better to be safe than sorry. Unclean water can also make you sick if you swallow or inhale it while bathing, showering, or swimming. Try not to get any water in your nose or mouth. When it comes to food, do not eat anything off the streets of a foreign country. While the food may look or smell delicious in street vendors, you never really know how it may have been prepared. Stay away from raw or uncooked anything, salads, condiment, unpasteurized dairy products, and anything served at room temperature. Stick to fully cooked hot food and fruits and vegetables you have washed and peeled yourself in clean water.

For more information about the safety and health conditions in a particular country, visit http://studentsabroad.com/ and get educated!

All-inclusive or not?

Upon researching spring break destinations, you and your friends had a decision to make: Is it better to book an all-inclusive resort or a non-inclusive hotel?

However, I’m here to tell you the answer to your question is: it depends. If you are planning on traveling for spring break, your hotel/resort accommodations are most likely already booked (at least I hope so!) In that case, you have already made the decision whether or not to go for an all-inclusive resort, but I hope this tidbit of information will be helpful when planning your next beach getaway!

From personal experience, I have come up with four important factors to help you decide whether an all-inclusive resort or a non-inclusive hotel is right for you! 

#1: Budgeting

Personally, the money factor is always number one when planning a vacation because hey, I’m working on a college budget! If you are, like me, anxious and apprehensive every time you pull out money, an all-inclusive resort may be the way to go! After paying the all-inclusive lump sum, money won’t be a worry anymore. However, if you aren’t bothered by the amount of times you will need to pull out your wallet, then a non-inclusive hotel may be best because you will know exactly how much money you are spending and on what. This will ensure you aren’t overpaying for some things, which may happen at an all-inclusive resort.

#2: Food

At an all-inclusive resort, you have the ability to eat whenever and whatever you want without worrying about the price! The quality of the food, however, can’t be guaranteed and may vary from resort to resort. If you are interested in trying local restaurants, you might want to explore non-inclusive hotels. Since the food is included in the all-inclusive price, most people eat of all their meals at the resort.

#3: Alcohol

At most all-inclusive resorts, the sheer sign of a wristband will provide you with drinks at any time of the day. For those who hope to indulge in a large number of drinks during their stay, all-inclusive resorts may be much more affordable in terms of alcohol consumption. If alcohol isn’t a big part of your vacation, a non-inclusive hotel might be a cheaper option for you!

#4: Exploring

All-inclusive resorts are generally designed so that guests don’t have to leave the property during their stay. Some all-inclusive resorts aren’t even in a safe location for guests to leave the resort and explore. If you can’t seem to fathom the idea of staying in one location the entire vacation, then an all-inclusive resort may not be right for you. Non-inclusive hotels are generally better for those travelers who hope to do some exploring in the area!

All in all, these are four important factors to me, but there are many other factors to consider when deciding which type of resort/hotel will be best for you!

Happy and safe travels over spring break!!