Seek Adventure
Travel hacks for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable trip.
Be Prepared. Feel Empowered. Get Excited.
Set yourself up for success during your trip. By preparing intentionally, you can reduce stress, navigate challenges with confidence, and fully engage in a safe, meaningful, and enjoyable travel experience.
Different Types of Trips
The kind of trip you’re taking influences how you prepare. Are you studying abroad for a semester? Taking a short vacation? Backpacking? Volunteering? Different trips require different timelines, expectations, and resources. Consider how long you’ll be gone, who you’ll be traveling with, and the overall purpose of your experience.
Goals & Intentions
Think about what you want to get out of your trip. Are you hoping to grow, try new foods, navigate a new city on your own, or practice a language? Create a travel wish list, write down your intentions, or bring a journal to document your journey.
Planning Basics
Once you know your trip type and goals, break preparation into smaller steps: packing, budgeting, overall health, cultural humility, and safety. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and allows you to enjoy the adventure.
Before Travel
Your trip starts long before you leave. Planning beforehand can decrease stress, avoid complications, and make your trip more fun! Pick and choose from the categories below to best plan for your trip.
Learn about local customs, language, and norms to travel respectfully and enrich your experience.
- Practice cultural humility. Research about the culture you’ll be traveling to to better understand norms, dress, and language.
- Set your intention. What do you hope to learn about the place? Be curious!
- Traveling can serve as an opportunity to practice different languages. Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise are fun and effective apps you can use to brush up on your skills.
General Safety & Documentation
Keep your important documents organized and stay informed so you can travel safely and confidently.
- Bring your important documents and store them in a safe place! (photo ID, health insurance card, confirmation numbers).
- Enroll with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). They can help with serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties.
- Make a travel itinerary with activities and places you plan to go. This can be as detailed or broad as you want!
- Make sure you are up to date with all routine vaccinations.
- Bring a copy of your immunization records if needed.
- Create a Travel Health Kit!
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, etc.
Insurance & Emergency Resources
- Consider getting travel insurance to prepare for the unexpected.
- Download the GeoBlue app for seamless access to care worldwide.
- Prepare a card with your blood type, chronic illnesses, medicines, and allergies (consider translating into local language).
- Wear a MedicAlert bracelet if you have a serious medical condition.
- Find a fun checklist online to help with your packing.
- Think about what you will need for specific activities (proper shoes, outwear, etc.).
- If you are traveling out of the country, you may need an outlet adapter for different plugs and sockets in use around the world.
- Make room for all the souvenirs and mementos you’ll bring home!
- Bring enough medication for your entire trip in labeled containers.
Personal Health & Wellbeing
Travel is more enjoyable when you feel your best. Prioritizing your physical and mental health helps you stay well, handle challenges, and make the most of your time away.
Alcohol, Drugs & Sexual Health
Make safe choices with substances, know local laws, and protect your sexual health while traveling.
- Be mindful of how travel is impacting your body and keep moderation tips in mind if you choose to drink alcohol or use drugs.
- Choose to engage in substances you are familiar with.
- Know local laws regarding alcohol and drug use.
- Know safer sexual health options and resources.
- Stay safe and assertive. Be aware of consent, boundaries, and how to respond to sexual harassment.
- The nearest U.S. embassy can help you locate medical services and notify your loved ones of an emergency.
- The International Society of Travel Medicine maintains a directory of health care professionals in more than 80 countries.
- Travel agencies, hotels, and credit card companies may also provide information on local health care resources.
- Check in with yourself! Travel is very exciting, but it can also be stressful at times.
- Create a self-care plan before or during your trip.
- Take mental health breaks when needed. Go on a walk, take deep breaths, or simply pause.
- You know yourself best. Make choices that support your well-being, even in a new place.
Travel Safety & Preparedness
Being prepared for a new environment helps you stay safe, adapt more easily, and feel confident exploring new places.
Stay aware of yourself, your surroundings, and the people around you.
- Be present! Look up from your phone and be aware of your surroundings.
- Travel with a companion when possible, and share your location with trusted friends or family.
- Be mindful of financial scams.
- Protect your digital security. Use secure Wi-Fi and avoid unknown ATMs.
- Keep your phone charged. Consider bringing a portable charger.
- Know the address of where you’re staying.
Mental Health
- You may experience a mix of feelings, and that is completely normal. Check in and get support when you need it.
- Consider journaling, making changes, or talking about your experiences to process what you’ve learned.
- Be patient with yourself. Adjusting back to your routine takes time.
Physical Health
- If you feel sick, tell your healthcare provider where you traveled.
- Even if you feel well, a post-travel checkup is recommended if you spent 6+ months abroad.
- Stay hydrated, eat well, and get enough rest as your body readjusts.
Reflect, Recharge, & Re-Enter
You may be home, but your journey hasn't ended. You have grown and gained new perspectives. Give yourself the time that you need.
- Share your trip stories, photos, and souvenirs with friends and family.
- Take it easy! Slowly ease back into your routine.
- Use these tips and your experiences from your previous trip to inform your next.