preparing to leave - other things to think about
While the one of the most important (if not the most important) ways to prepare is by learning some of the language, there are a few other things to consider as you get ready to leave for your destination. If you don’t know much about the place you’re going, you’ll want to read up on your host country before leaving. Knowing as much as possible about where you are going will help ease the impact of culture shock upon arrival. Being familiar with at least some of the ways of the new country will help you feel more at home and keep you from feeling like a complete outsider.
It’s also critical that you have your finances in order. Take care of any outstanding bills before you leave, so there are no surprises or things left undone. If you have student loans, car payments, or any other similar regular bills to pay, find out about paying ahead or drafting payments from your account. You won’t want to fool with such details while overseas. Also be sure to put somebody - a trusted friend or family member - in charge of your mail and paperwork while you are gone, so you won’t miss anything important during your time abroad.
Be sure to consider any health issues before leaving. Getting a physical before you go is a good idea, to make sure that you are in good health before jetting around the world. Make sure that you also bring plenty of prescription medicine and other necessary items, such as contact lenses and glasses (an extra pair would be a great idea). Keep copies of any regular prescriptions on hand, just in case you run out and need refills. You may not be able to find exactly what you need where you will be going, but having the information on hand will help make things easier, especially if it’s something that you will definitely need.
