What to Know Before You Go

When I got the phone call at 3:35 a.m. informing me I was going overseas on the possibility of a job, I headed to the library to read up on Bali.  That’s where I thought the caller said I was going.  Bwa-ha-ha!  Joke was on me.  I was headed to Balikpapan (BTW, nothing in those pics existed when I lived there).  Instant freak-out at the Indonesian consulate in Singapore when I obtained my visa.  The Jungles of Borneo?

I went.  Still glad I did!  Very, v-e-r-y strange life, however.

It pays to do some research (I eventually got to Bali, and good thing I’d done my homework).  Wherever you’re going, get some data in a hurry.  It’s incredibly easy to learn a lot in a few hours these days.  Hurray for the internet!

So what do you most urgently need to know?  Where to spend your research time most fruitfully (especially if you have to leave in the morning!)?

        *  Visa types and requirements: every country has a website with visa details.  Get your info straight from the authorities or reputable visa agents.  Beware some “agents” which have not updated their website in three years.

        *  Climate/weather: what clothing and supplies will you need to pack?

        *  Safety issues: better to be safe than sorry.  Check US Department of State advisory bulletins, and google city, country, crime rate.  Of course, you practice personal safety and security measures at all times everywhere!

        *  Cost estimates: kayak.com, hotels.com, cost of living index sites, even craigslist can give you quick ideas as to price ranges on hotels, housing, food, sales taxes or VAT, and more.

        *  Courtesies and culture: avoid making a complete idiot of yourself.  E.g. in Indonesia, do not “wave bye-bye,” especially to a child.  They freak out since that motion is identical to their non-verbal signal for “come here.”  No bare shoulders, no shorts or mini-skirts, no first name basis introductions, or similar cultural taboos could cost you a great deal of unnecessary trouble, complications, or plain old embarrassment.  This is something you can intensely study for years and still not get it all right.  At least make a stab at some of the more overt behaviors which can generate major misunderstandings.

        *  Business culture and attire: suits or dresses or skirt/slacks with blazer?  How to present a business card?  “Get to know you” before you get down to business?  If you work, run your own biz, whatever, this one’s the deal killer.  Find books on international business etiquette or do some internet research on city/country + business attire, business etiquette.  When in doubt, ask what the proper procedure and form is, explaining you’d like to adhere to their customs but don’t know them all “yet.”

        *  Something special: take some time to treat yourself to a popular local food, museum, sight – something unique which interests or intrigues you.  Who in their right mind goes to London without taking in at least one play?  Somewhere in your research, even quick-study, you’re bound to come across something, so cram it into your schedule somehow.  This is the feature which makes all travel worthwhile.  All the rest is necessary, but this is the item which matters.

 

May your road rise to meet you - with very few bumps!

Ann