Tips for happy foreign travel: Learn to make social media work for you

When I went to Argentina, I kept a journal. I also e-mailed updates to a huge list of people. Oh, how I wish I’d used a blog during that time! Not only would I have saved time writing those lengthy e-mails and sending them to dozens of people, but I would have a digital archive of my study abroad experience.

When I went to South Asia, I blogged as often as possible. That was great because it  was a way to keep everyone at home updated on our travels. However, in some of the small towns we visited, I was limited by the lack of Internet cafes. Sometimes I would publish four blog updates at once because I didn’t know when I would be able to post something next.

For this trip, I am prepared! I have a Twitter account that is connected to both my Facebook account and this blog. I can update Twitter from Joe’s phone while we’re in Italy. I decided to link Twitter to both Facebook and my blog because I have friends and family who are not on Facebook, but who will check my blog for periodic updates.

I plan to update via Twitter several times a day while we’re in Italy, but I don’t expect anyone to keep up with that. Those who are interested will be able to check in with us as they want. I hope to write longer blog posts several times as well, but that will depend on how accessible Internet cafes are.

I’m very excited to put these social media networks to use during our journey. I love documenting my travels personally, but now I can do so publicly for anyone who is interested!

Happy reading, and please share your opinions, travel advice and fun stories in the comments section!

Foreign language learning

When Joe and I decided to go to Italy, we started studying Italian using Pimsleur language learning discs, which are excellent – one of the best tools available, in my opinion. (When it comes to foreign language learning, I am a strong proponent of total immersion, even in a school classroom. However, outside of that opportunity, I wouldn’t trade these Pimsleur CDs for anything!)

There’s a great sense of accomplishment in language learning. Being able to take words and phrases and piece them together into sentences that actually make sense – that’s priceless.

And oh, the joy of conjugating a verb! A good language teacher gives you enough knowledge to be able to make educated guesses. If mangiare means “to eat” and pranzare means “to eat lunch,” and mangio means “I eat,” then how would you say “I eat lunch”? …Pranzo, of course! Oh, the feeling of pride and accomplishment when you figure that out!

New for me in foreign language learning was the complete lack of visuals. When I studied Spanish, I always listened, spoke, read and wrote. That is the natural progression of language acquisition.

But with Italian, I learned by listening and repeating. I know I would be an atrocious speller in Italian because I simply have not written the language! (In fact, I had to look up the two words above to make sure I was spelling them correctly.)

Because I’m a visual person, I thought learning Italian this way would be a struggle. But in reality, I love it. I’m forced to depend on my ears and mouth for learning the proper pronunciation.

The Pimsleur CDs are teaching us really practical things, like how to ask for directions and how to say, “Would you like to eat something?” I’ve learned to say things like, “Would you like to drink something?” “Beer or wine?” “At my place?” “Nine o’clock.” Okay, so most of that is not practical for us! As Joe said, “We’re just learning to pick up chicks in Italian!”

Tips for happy foreign travel: Pack light

With our trip to Italy just days away, I’ve decided to revive a series I started about two years ago. You can find other tips for happy foreign travel in my blog archives.

This is the biggest mistake I made when I went to Argentina. Since I was going for four months, I thought I needed to pack for anything and everything I might encounter. I remember struggling through the airport in Córdoba, barely making it the short distance to meet my host family because I was weighted down by two suitcases, a large carry-on and my purse. Good grief.

When Joe and I started talking about our trip to Italy, we agreed that we wouldn’t check any luggage. Because our trip was going to be so short, we didn’t want to waste precious time dealing with lost bags.

I started doing some research. Rick Steves is a travel author and adviser who writes passionately about the necessity and joy of packing light. (He has even written an article about traveling light specifically for women!) He advocates not bringing any article of clothing that you won’t wear at least three times! (I’ll let you know if I stick to that.)

If you’re agreeable to the packing light concept, but you don’t know what is truly essential, there are some online packing lists available:

• Rick Steves’ packing list
• Rick Steves’ packing list for women
• Check and Pack – With this tool, you can create a customizable packing list online. I like this resource because it lists everything you might need during your travels, but you can actually decide what to put on the list you print.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Write it down!

Blog, or keep a journal. You will want a record of everything that happened during your travels: the people you met, the conversations you had, the hilarity and the culture shock. I still reread my journals from Argentina and laugh (or sometimes cry).

 

This is part of a series.
Welcome internationals.
Live like a native.
Be flexible.
Be careful what you say.
Respect the culture.
Learn to speak the language.
Invest in a good travel guide.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Welcome internationals in the U.S.

When you return home, be a better host(ess). There are many people from around the world traveling and living in the United States. Notice them; befriend them; invite them into your home; show them around your town; represent the U.S. well.

If you don’t know where to find internationals, start frequenting local ethnic restaurants or contact a local college’s office of international student affairs.

 

More travel tips:
Live like a native.
Be flexible.
Be careful what you say.
Respect the culture.
Learn to speak the language.
Invest in a good travel guide.

Tips for happy foreign travel: When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Do your best to adopt the culture of the host country as your own. Try to experience things that most tourists to the country don’t experience.

In Argentina, the people were so friendly and hospitable. It wasn’t hard to finagle an invitation for mate or even a weekend in someone’s hometown!

More travel tips:
Be flexible.
Be careful what you say.
Respect the culture.
Learn to speak the language.
Invest in a good travel guide.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Be flexible

Be flexible. Expect the unexpected and roll with it. My friend Caitlin did a better job of this than anyone I’ve ever met. She had all the right expectations, and she wasn’t disappointed.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Be careful what you say

Be careful what you say in your native language. You never know who may be listening and understand exactly what you’re saying.

 

This is part of a series.
Respect the culture.
Learn to speak the language.
Invest in a good travel guide.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Respect the host culture

This is part of an ongoing series about foreign travel. Check out my first and second posts.

Remember when you’re traveling that you are a guest in that country; work hard to respect the host culture. When you encounter things that are strange or different, remind yourself that they are just that – different, but not necessarily good or bad.

In Latin America, time is much more relative than it is in the United States. In Argentina, I ate dinner with mi familia around 9 or 9:30 p.m. It took some getting used to, but I came to love the Argentine schedule – the laid-back attitude and the flexibility.

It helps to be prepared for the cultural differences you may encounter, so you may want to find a book like Culture Smart! that will help you understand what to expect.

Tips for happy foreign travel: Learn to speak (at least a little)

This post is part of an ongoing series on travel. Check out my first post in the series.

Learn as much of the language as you can. At the very least, learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” in the language of the country you’re visiting. Learning the language shows the people that they matter to you. It’s good for international relations.