Deciding Where to Travel
To some people the process of getting to a destination is merely an inconvenience that has to be endured in order to spend two weeks soaking on a Mediterranean beach. To others, most notably the independent traveller, it is a joy in itself, to be savoured and relished.
A substantial part of any year abroad (in some cases the entire year) is going to be spent travelling in one form or another and so it is best to undertake a certain amount of planning beforehand to ensure that it is as enjoyable an experience as possible.
Doing the Groundwork
It is important to know a certain amount about any country that you plan to visit and travel in. This is vital as far as official considerations, such as visas, are concerned but it is also important to have a 'feel' for a country before you go there. This is not only common courtesy; if you know a bit about the history, customs, language and way of life of the place you are visiting then you will feel more at ease when you arrive.
Things to Ask Yourself
Who do I know (or could find) who has been there?
If you want to know the type of food eaten in northern Tibet or the dress codes of Malawi the best idea is to talk to people who have been there. Not only will they be able to give you practical advice about the types of transport, accommodation and officialdom, they will also have words of wisdom and hints that may not necessarily appear in guidebooks. You can learn so much from facts and figures in a book, but it is invaluable to speak to someone who can explain the realities of spending ten hours picking grapes in Australia, or how border guards in Brazil administer yellow fever injections.
Do I know any resident of the country?
The prospect of coming across a resident of Bolivia or Singapore may seem even more unlikely than the chances of a friend having been there. However, there are people from all over the world in every city in Britain, and the best place to find them is at your local university. Most universities have an Overseas Students department and if you contact them, telling them what you are looking for, they will be able to put you in touch with people from the country in question. This will not only provide you with invaluable information but it could also lead to some useful contacts in the countries you are visiting.
