First Time Solo Travelling Tips For New Interns

Let’s be honest, most of us are spoon-fed until we hit our early teens, others throughout high school, some even ‘til the end of uni…

Though it feels nice to indulge in the care-free domestic space with free personnel at our service, home is not always the best place to pursue your ambitions.

As the old cliché has it, ‘the world is your oyster’… And your home town is definitely short in supply of oysters (well, unless you live near the coast, but you catch my drift)! That’s why it’s high time to stretch your wings and expand your horizons!

But before you dive headfirst into the unknown, here’s a few things to consider before you venture into the dizzying world of adults.

Solo travel requires lots of preparation – mental, physical and bureaucratic for that matter. The latter, however, requires double-, triple- and even quadruple-checking!

Prior to setting foot anywhere, sort out any documentation that requires time to process. A popular rule of thumb is to set out everything in order in advance. Keep it all in a single file that can stay safe and is easily accessible during travel. 

Do this well before your journey commences. Finding out the day before you travel that you don’t have everything you need is stress you don’t want!

While every piece of documentation is important, some things outweigh others in significance. Generally, your travel checklist should look something like this:

– Passport (if required)
– Flight details, boarding passes and any other travel documents
– Visa documentation (if required)
– National or international driver’s license (if required)
– Travel insurance details
– Any health insurance documents (e.g. European Health Insurance Card or prescription documentation)
– Accommodation address and telephone number (in case of delays)
– Emergency contact details 

In doing so, you’ll have peace of mind and can focus on the excitement of what’s ahead.

Even better, if you embark on an internship with Beyond Academy we’ll provide an extra hand with your prep work! We’ll assist you with all the tedium that goes alongside travel. 

From going through the visa application process to the country-specific documentation requirements! 

Compared to where you’re from, the climate of your destination might be a totally different story.  

We know the sun in Japan is hot and humid in the summer. But some are surprised to find out the country often sees snow in the winter.  

So it’s best you check what the climate awaits you, and pack in an extra umbrella or raincoat just in case!

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that finding the most fitting accommodation is the most stressful part of travel prep. Especially when you have a budget to stick to.

You’ll be living there for weeks or even months! So it’s crucial that you pick the best place to stay. And that it satisfies your expectations and budget!  

As expected, different countries have different renting and letting practices: some landlords choose to personally advertise their place. While others prefer real estate agents to find tenants for them. Make sure you research thoroughly and find out about the local area on online forums or local Facebook groups.

Don’t forget to check the details of your stay meticulously too. Ensure it has everything you need, such as a washing machine, kitchen facilities and other amenities. 

Fortunately, Beyond Academy helps young interns and professionals to not only find a spot-on internship. But can also arrange the perfect place to stay in your city of choice and at an agreeable price! 

All of our accommodation is vetted carefully by our team. As a result, they all meet our safety and cleanliness standards.

You will get a private bedroom with shared communal spaces. Either in a shared apartment or student accommodation. And it even includes bedding and the all important Wi-Fi!

Congrats. You’re finally here. City looks bigger than expected. That’s why it’s important to stay on guard and be cautious about whom you meet and where you go.  

Despite the commendable low crime rate of countries like Japan and Canada, other places lack similar statistics. For that reason alone, it’s good to do some online research on the dodgy areas and dark alleys of your future home before landing. 

This applies to tourist venues as well. Petty crime is more creative each year, with innovative scams designed to fleece unsuspecting visitors.

Depending on your chosen city, navigating your way around can be quite a challenge.

For instance, Japan’s tube system is so comprehensive that it’s easy to get lost.

Should you wish to improve your chances of not getting lost – not just in Japan but anywhere else – then be sure to work out the public transport system before you arrive. 

This includes knowing the best transportation for your journey and getting value for money. After all, you’ll likely be using it to get to and from your internship every day!

For example, trains in the UK can get quite pricey if you don’t book in advance. But buses are always on time and are easier on your budget. 

On the other side of the Atlantic, free public transit has been slowly paving its way into Canadian commuting. Years ago the idea of free public transportation entered Canadian conversations. And it seems Canadians are of the opinion that just like police security and firefighting services, public transportation should also be tax deductible. 

In fact, many communities are strongly advocating for the idea which has finally started showing visible effects. 

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the things you should consider. Still, it’s some food for thought to chew on while you pack your suitcase. 

But if you’re looking to mix up career and leisure opportunities, the Beyond Academy team is well-versed in both! 

From showing you the new city to tailoring a career experience to your needs, Beyond Academy’s experts are always on hand to help! Get in touch to start planning the internship of your dreams!