Embarking on an International Internship? 7 Tips For Flying Alone

One of the most exciting things about starting an internship abroad is the prospect of travel. But while the experience of a new city or culture can be exhilarating, the journey to get there can be a challenge. 

Flying across countries drains your energy bar, and we’re not just talking about your mobile phone. Airports can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to air travel. 

In fact, even the most avid traveller has been known to fall asleep at the terminal or even miss a flight. And without fellow passengers in your party, it’s even easier for things to go awry! 

Which is why we’ve pulled together 7 tips for solo flyers. Ideal for those of you about to embark on an international internship somewhere new and exciting!

This one is a no-brainer and because of that it’s the most likely to slip your mind. 

Many airport terminals can overwhelm the senses. Packed with tempting shop windows and food outlets, it’s surprisingly easy to lose yourself in their expansive halls. 

On average, 1 in 7 passengers miss their flight. It may shock you to discover that the statistic affects those in the 20-38 age range. It’s not just about punctuality either.  A lot of the time, it comes down to not checking details properly.

Your destination, visa, medical certificates; all of these influence the duration of your stay at the airport. If you happen to ‘miscalculate’ a variable of your airporting experience, you might be stuck longer than previously expected. 

There’s more to a journey than your flight details. And this excess of information can lead to forgetting something as important as checking your flight details. We suggest keeping all your travel documents and your passport in a clear plastic folder in your hand luggage. Be sure to keep it with you at all times and make sure it’s accessible. 

But if you want an extra peace of mind before you depart, then Beyond Academy will help take the stress out of your journey. 

From helping you sort out visa paperwork beforehand to picking you up from arrivals when you land. With Beyond’s assistance, your flight number will be the only thing to worry about!

Contingency plans aren’t something we like to prepare, mostly because it assumes something will go wrong. In an ideal world, everything goes to plan. But having some extra emergency plans in mind, in case something does go wrong, is essential. 

It also means you’re one step ahead and know how to deal with whatever life throws at you. A great habit to form when travelling is to keep an emergency contact list with your travel documents. The list should include any important contacts who’ll be readily available in a time of need.

Leave a similar list at home. That way, if something happens while you’re away, you’re easily contactable. This could include phone numbers and addresses of your accommodation.

It’s as banal as it sounds; that’s safety for you. Better to overplan than be on your own and have no idea what to do. If you want to come out in one piece from a hectic and bustling airport, plan ahead!

It’s time for some airport fun. After all, it’s not all serious! It’s likely you’ll have 2 to 3 hours of lounge time before take-off, so why not engage in some chatter?

Especially if you are travelling somewhere new where you’ll be without the comfort of your mother tongue. It can be great practice too, as you can start your internship abroad with more confidence. 

You’re an adult now, so no more ‘Don’t talk to strangers’. Planes, trains and pretty much every type of public transport can be excellent venues for making friends. Plus, there are likely plenty of other solo travellers experiencing the same pre-flight nerves or jitters – striking a conversation could benefit you both immensely.

A good rule of thumb is to scout for a charging station at the airport. That’s where globetrotters like you park their phones to recharge. If it’s your first time travelling solo, you might be lucky and stumble upon other newbies like yourself. 

But a word of caution. Be mindful of who you’re talking to. Some cultures consider talking in public as rude and some will likely just want to be alone – judge their reaction carefully. You’ll soon gauge whether someone wants to talk or not. Respect their boundaries and approach someone else. After all, there are thousands of people to talk to in an airport terminal!

Unless you’re staying somewhere you’re familiar with, such as a friend’s house, work out your transportation routes to and from the airport. Do this for your departures and arrivals. And always account for things like traffic.

When travelling, it’s better to be too early than too late. 

Pretty much every airport will have direct links via bus or train. Do your research beforehand and work out how you will travel from airport to destination. However, depending on where you’re interning, in some parts of the world the prices between taxis, buses and trains vary drastically. Get to know the best, most convenient option for you in advance.  

Without research it’s likely you’ll wander around the terminal aimlessly looking for directions and waste precious time.

Thankfully, for those who choose to intern with Beyond Academy, we make the journey from the airport to your new home easy. After all, you’ve had a long flight, you might be jet-lagged, and the last thing you want to think about is arranging travel. 

That’s why we guarantee a safe and warm welcome from the airport. We’ll meet you in arrivals and take you straight to your accommodation!

The ubiquity of contactless payment removes the weight of change from your pocket. And it’s a quick, convenient way to pay, especially in an airport lounge where flight times can change suddenly. 

Though tapping and leaving is now a daily habit, sometimes you may be so quick to finish the transaction that you risk being overcharged.

The simple reason: we can often forget to look at the amount before we pay! 

Don’t rely on card payments alone when travelling. Or if you do, take an emergency back-up credit card and keep it separate from your normal purse or wallet. 

As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to stash some extra cash in your hand luggage. This technique is as old as time, but the fact it’s still recommended is a testament to its efficacy. 

In case your wallet gets lost or stolen or your credit card declines unexpectedly, that cash can be a lifesaver. 

Many young people often wonder, ‘How did they do this before the internet?’. And this has never been truer than at an airport. From consulting Google Maps as you navigate the airport to having plenty of entertainment options in case your flight is delayed. 

As well as making sure you have plenty of movies and shows to watch on Netflix – we recommend downloading them beforehand. Other apps to take note of are your bank’s app and a VPN. 

Some bank apps allow you to freeze ATM withdrawals and online payments from your card at will. Helpful if you lose your bag. 

As for VPNs, there are a gazillion of YouTube ads telling you to get one. A VPN is not always necessary, not in the slightest. However, if you want to ensure privacy and can’t don’t want your laptop to join an unprotected network, it’s worth considering.

Last, but in no way least, be on time. As the old adage goes, ‘time waits for no one’ and neither does your plane! 

Yes, technically, ‘time is an illusion’ but you can’t illusion yourself out of a missed flight. Next time you rush to the airport, think of all the imminent obstacles slowing you down. Solo travel is so much less stressful and can be enjoyable if you give yourself plenty of time. Rushing anywhere can lead to mistakes. If you’re flustered, you’re more likely to place your bag down or forget something. 

What about that unexpected traffic jam? Bad weather conditions? Or misreading your terminal number? It’s natural to overlook any of these elements in the thrill of an upcoming adventure. 

Bypass that stress entirely and arrive early!

A great rule to follow is to work out how long you need, then add on an extra 2 hours to be safe!

We hope you’ve found some great tips on how to take the anxiety and stress out of travelling alone or flying solo. 

We want all our interns to get the most out of their experience from the very beginning. For more advice, check out our articles on the best things to pack for an internship and how to explore your new city as an intern. 

And remember, Beyond Academy can guide you throughout your internship. From visa assistance, airport pick-up and even a 24/7 community team. Find out more about a Beyond Academy internship.