I've compiled a list of top tips from the tip-top of my head to get you through on your adventures. This is especially for those of you just starting out; maybe fresh out of highschool awaiting to get out of your hometown and see what planet Earth has to offer; maybe learn a thing or two about yourself and your part in the great big world as well...
1. Make friends
Make friends everywhere you go. Friends who will become your family. If you know people in another country, they may show you the secret things no typical tourist would see. The hidden treasures of the land only the locals know about. You'll experience the true richness of culture, much more than you ever would on your own. An added bonus, you'll save heaps of money on travel expenses, if they offer you a place to stay! Do them a favor, clean, garden, buy them gifts, share meals from your culture and theirs, sing them a song or share whatever your talent is, pray with and for them, and your presence will be a gift in itself. It's not everyday they get to have a foreigner, and friend, stay and share life with them! Your appreciation for their home and the beauty in their culture, will help them appreciate it more as well; because everything is "normal" for them.
2. Travel light.
This is a tough one for me, and a lesson I'm still learning the hard way. I'm a girl and I love my accessories, you know! But you find you come home with much more than you started with. Things you think are small and will fit easily, you'll find will quickly add up. Come with plenty of space in your bag; say no to things you only "might" use, and you'll be amazed at how little you need to live on! Think of all those people in the world who live with practically nothing. If they can do it with a smile on their face, surely you can survive. Besides, there will be plenty of places to shop when you get there, with foreign foods and trinkets that will strike your curiosity. You'll need that extra space for the trip back home; or else packing will be a headache and lugging extra bags at the airport will be a backache! Learn from my own mistakes:
When I spontaneously moved from Brisbane to Adelaide to pick strawberries.
I've NEVER ONCE worn those hats. Other than in the airport :P
Don't bring the things you only "might" use.
3. Go with a group or organization to start.
4. Be Strong, be healthy
Work out, and eat well. Ok well - hopefully in normal life (traveling or not) you'll take this tip seriously. But especially on your adventures - you never know what waits around the corner and will be physically demanding for you. Taking care of your body as if it doesn't belong to you, but was entrusted to your care - will help you be prepared to take on any challenge thrown your way. Want to hike, rock climb, bike across country, surf, scuba dive, or help an old local woman carry their groceries across the parking lot....? Stay fit, and you can conquer. Want to work on a farm while backpacking Australia or New Zealand? Then definitely, DEFINITELY come with a strong back.
When I started traveling independently, it was after I'd already been involved with an international mission organization. That's where I really gained all my friendship and global connections. If you're new to going overseas, I highly reccomend going into an organization where you can start making your own connections. It will make a transition easier, make building relationships easier, and make adjusting to a new culture easier because you'll have all kinds of support around you. Do a little research online and see if there are special programs you can get involved in for several months!
I personally did a YWAM DTS in Brisbane, Australia to start. You can read more about my adventures on that at adventuresthroughozland.blogspot.com. Check out YWAM's website here: www.goywam.com.
4. Be Strong, be healthy
5. Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions.
Trust me, I've asked plenty. What seems obvious in their culture, isn't so obvious to you. Figuring out public transport systems, what a "News agency" is and where to find one, how their government works.... Be prepared to feel stupid when integrating yourself into their cultural habits. Whats normal for them, isn't normal for you. Whats normal for you, isn't normal for them. So be prepared to apologize for mis-communications, mis-understandings, but learn to get past them. Basically, be mega respectful and you'll go far. Accept help, ASK for help, and offer it when you can.
6. Journal. Blog. Keep track.
You'll find you'll probably learn more about life in your travels than you ever did in your 12 years of schooling growing up. Experience > classroom - so try and remember what you learn. In a classroom, you take notes like a good student, right? Hehe, well, whether you did or didn't, be a good student to yourself, and consider journaling like your travel-school note-taking. But its your real world, real life experiences. You'll gain knowledge and experience that is more valuable for your life and future than you may know in the midst of it, and you'll be able to share it with others.
7. Hold your plans loosely
Your plans will probably change often. Don't go anywhere with expectations, because they'll probably be crushed in one way or another. This isn't a bad thing at all - it's all a part of the journey. Yes it'll cause some tears sometimes when things don't go as planned...but keep your chin up and remember what the most important things are in life - and cling to them. You'll learn a lot about what those are too, i guarantee it.You'll learn how to be flexible, and adaptable to any and all situations. You'll learn just how much you truly are capable of handling. This'll help you when you get home - suddenly your life's current problems won't seem so big anymore and you'll be left feeling like you can take on anything ;) It's because over-seas, it seems like you take on everything -- at once. But in the end, it's so worth it.
REMEMBER baby birds: Don't be flying from something. Fly to something. You're bringing who you were with you, and gaining more of yourself on the way.
Today, comfortable nest - tomorrow, the world. Fly on, my crazy birds.
Yours,
Songburd
