Passport
Please make sure your passport will still be valid for at least 6 months after returning from abroad. You would not want to arrive at the airport, get turned down by the check-in counter staff, and end up heading back home because your passport is expiring soon. If your passport will expire soon, you need to renew your passport as soon as possible.
Research
Although this website is a guide for you to plan your itinerary, you should still do your research about the country (ex. culture and etiquette). Everyone's interests are different. What I see as interesting may not be interesting to you, so spend a little bit of time figuring out what want to accomplish by going abroad and searching for places where your interest lies.
Visa
Find out from the country in which you plan on going what visa you might need for the purpose you are there. Once you know what visa you will need and when you need to be at the destination, you should apply for the visa as soon as possible to prevent delays.
The following websites allows you to check if you need a visa specific to Hong Kong and South Korea:
You can use A Briggs to get a travel visa.
Note: A Briggs is a third party that will need time for the government agency to officially issue the visa. Please plan accordingly to prevent delays.
The following websites allows you to check if you need a visa specific to Hong Kong and South Korea:
You can use A Briggs to get a travel visa.
Note: A Briggs is a third party that will need time for the government agency to officially issue the visa. Please plan accordingly to prevent delays.
Purchasing Airline Ticket
It is ideal to start looking for a plane ticket three to four months before the departure date. When it gets closer to the one-month mark before the departure date, plane tickets can get expensive. To avoid paying more than expected, try purchasing your plane ticket between one to four months before the departure date. If you are waiting on your visa, you might want to buy your plane ticket after you receive the visa to avoid paying more for ticket changes.
For my last two experiences abroad, I purchased my plane ticket from STA Travel. It has student and teacher discounts. Also, check with your university's International Programs to see if your university and STA Travel negotiated a different price for certain plane tickets. You might be able to get a plane ticket that is not listed on the website. If you navigate different pages on this website, you might be able to find cheaper plane tickets too.
For my last two experiences abroad, I purchased my plane ticket from STA Travel. It has student and teacher discounts. Also, check with your university's International Programs to see if your university and STA Travel negotiated a different price for certain plane tickets. You might be able to get a plane ticket that is not listed on the website. If you navigate different pages on this website, you might be able to find cheaper plane tickets too.
Visit Your Primary Care Physician's Office
Before leaving for your trip, you should see your primary physician to make sure that you are in good condition to travel and that you get all the vaccines needed to reduce the likelihood of you getting sick during the trip.
Travel Medical Insurance
Because you are travelling to a place where you are not familiar with, you might want to purchase a travel health insurance in case you get sick during the trip. Your domestic health insurance plan usually will not cover for medical expenses abroad. For students, check with your university's International Programs to see if your university has negotiated a price with a travel medical insurance provider. For travelers who are not students, you can consider one of the travel medical insurance companies in the following website: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/health/insurance-providers.html.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (Optional)
While you are abroad, you would want to stay up-to-date on what is happening locally and internationally in case you encounter unexpected events like natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Before I left for Hong Kong and South Korea, I enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. While I was abroad, I received notices of when and where protests would happen from the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, so that I can plan ahead and avoid going to those areas on those days.
Before I left for Hong Kong and South Korea, I enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. While I was abroad, I received notices of when and where protests would happen from the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, so that I can plan ahead and avoid going to those areas on those days.
Packing
Try to pack light in case you want to go shopping at the local stores or markets. I brought seven sets of clothes. Given that I washed my clothes, it was enough for three to fourth months. Packing clothes that you can easily mix and match and with variations in warmth will allow you to accommodate to changes in the weather. Remember to check the weather forecast at your destination.
Please consider the following packing list as a guide while you pack. You might not need everything on this list.
Please consider the following packing list as a guide while you pack. You might not need everything on this list.