Before I went to Paris, France in 2014 I had mixed emotions, being both scared and excited. Unfortunately, I let my nervousness overpower my feelings of excitement for my first adventure abroad. There were plenty of enjoyable moments, but one thing I regret is closing myself off in a new environment. This is a major error to make when traveling; one that can hinder the travel experience. So you can avoid my experience, here are four tips I wish I had during my trip to Paris:
1. Remember why you are traveling
From the moment you get on the plane, to your arrival time, if you feel you are regretting this trip, don’t. Remember why you wanted to take a trip to South Korea or Canada. People have different reasons why they travel, you can figure out why you wanted to travel by creating a list of reasons to remind yourself.
2. You are going to be uncomfortable, embrace it
New environments are challenging to navigate for some people and being uncomfortable at first is understandable. The metro system isn’t the same, you can’t find a bathroom, and the showers are smaller than normal but these are the small things that do not matter in the bigger picture. You are in a different country getting ready to explore a local little neighborhood, visit popular tourist sites or non-touristy sites, learn about the country’s history and culture, and chat with locals while meeting other people from across the world.
You can embrace being uncomfortable by thinking positive during your travels. Most people I know haven’t traveled outside of the United States. This is a special opportunity to experience something new. So make an effort to step outside of your comfort zone. It’s easier said than done, but it’s worthwhile. For example, you can search for local record or book shops if music or literature makes you feel more comfortable.
3. Most things will not turn out as planned
Sometimes the unexpected happens, just keep moving forward with an alternative plan. During my trip, I didn’t expect to walk my broken luggage through the city for hours and that our apartment arrangements wouldn’t go as planned. If find yourself in a similar situation, look for a local café (with free WI-FI connection) and take a breather because everything will be all right.
Luckily, there are awesome resources to help with living arrangements such as hostels, Airbnb or Couchsurfing services. Of course beware of who you may come in contact with.
4. Practice the language beforehand
You will not be an expert by the time your arrive to your destination but at least you would know how to say some common greetings or phrases. Near the Eiffel Tower, there was a crêpe stand and I ordered my food in English. The cashier jokingly asked why I didn’t use French and he began to speak french to me in front of everyone. I just smiled and laughed at the situation. I felt more welcomed and learned that it doesn’t hurt to try and speak the language as it can make the trip more pleasurable. Don’t be afraid to look silly.
photo credit: danielfoster437 Checking a Map via photopin (license)
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