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40 Thoughts You Have Before Traveling Abroad

There's more to traveling than meets the eye!

Shelby Gerweck

Feb 19, 2018

Eastern Michigan University

168

40 Thoughts You Have Before Traveling Abroad

pixabay.com // Pexels

I have always wanted to travel abroad but did not get the opportunity until recently. Upon preparing for my trip, I was faced with thoughts that the average traveler might have, accompanied by some irrational worries as well.

Having never gone abroad before, I don't know everything that I should expect. That doesn't stop me from being extremely excited about all of the sights I'll get to take in, as well as all of the experiences I'll have to write about later.

1. Do I have everything packed?

2. What am I supposed to do without a hair dryer?

3. What if the TSA arrests me?

4. What if I meet the love of my life?

You will now, Niall. *Insert maniacal laugh*

5. I have so much to do before I go!

6. What if I become the inspiration for a Liam Neeson film?

7. Maybe I’ll get my nails done instead of packing.

8. Is this suitcase too big?

9. This suitcase is definitely too big.

10. I have so much laundry to do!

11. Don’t wear those jeans; you want to take those with you.

12. Am I allowed to bring snacks on the plane?

13. What if I don’t understand the slang?

14. I can’t wait for all the accents.

15. What if I find a job?

16. What if they don’t let me back into the U.S.?

17. How big are the seats on international flights?

18. I hope I'm not selected for a pat down.

19. Do I go with comfy for the flight, or do I try to look like a very worldly traveler?

20. Maybe I should make a packing list.

21. Don’t forget to pay your bills.

22. This suitcase could hold a body in it.

23. Be there three hours before takeoff. Three hours. Three hours.

24. What carry on bag should I take?

25. Do I take a taxi to the airport?

26. I don’t want to pay for airport parking.

27. I wonder if my roommate will give me a ride?

28. What if I get arrested over there?

29. God, I hope I don’t get arrested over there.

30. Will the food be that different?

31. I wonder what celebrities I might see.

32. I cannot forget to shut off my data.

33. Did you call your credit union?

34. What will the weather be like?

35. It was two hours before, right?

36. What is legal for me to bring back to the U.S.?

37. Would it make sense to send postcards back to my friends?

38. Maybe I’ll find a long lost cousin.

39. I should trade cash for euros. Then I’ll have some souvenirs!

40. I have to buy new plugs? What is this technology?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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40 Thoughts You Have Before Traveling Abroad

There's more to traveling than meets the eye!

1. Do I have everything packed?

2. What am I supposed to do without a hair dryer?

3. What if the TSA arrests me?

4. What if I meet the love of my life?

5. I have so much to do before I go!

6. What if I become the inspiration for a Liam Neeson film?

7. Maybe I’ll get my nails done instead of packing.

8. Is this suitcase too big?

9. This suitcase is definitely too big.

10. I have so much laundry to do!

11. Don’t wear those jeans; you want to take those with you.

12. Am I allowed to bring snacks on the plane?

13. What if I don’t understand the slang?

14. I can’t wait for all the accents.

15. What if I find a job?

16. What if they don’t let me back into the U.S.?

17. How big are the seats on international flights?

18. I hope I'm not selected for a pat down.

19. Do I go with comfy for the flight, or do I try to look like a very worldly traveler?

20. Maybe I should make a packing list.

21. Don’t forget to pay your bills.

22. This suitcase could hold a body in it.

23. Be there three hours before takeoff. Three hours. Three hours.

24. What carry on bag should I take?

25. Do I take a taxi to the airport?

26. I don’t want to pay for airport parking.

27. I wonder if my roommate will give me a ride?

28. What if I get arrested over there?

29. God, I hope I don’t get arrested over there.

30. Will the food be that different?

31. I wonder what celebrities I might see.

32. I cannot forget to shut off my data.

33. Did you call your credit union?

34. What will the weather be like?

35. It was two hours before, right?

36. What is legal for me to bring back to the U.S.?

37. Would it make sense to send postcards back to my friends?

38. Maybe I’ll find a long lost cousin.

39. I should trade cash for euros. Then I’ll have some souvenirs!

40. I have to buy new plugs? What is this technology?

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There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

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