Travel Gadgets to Take Abroad

You’re getting ready for that big trip abroad. With all those airline regulations, the cost of extra bags, the temptations of lugging more rather less, planning can be daunting.      

Packing for international travel requires careful thought. You need to take the necessities but you also want some comfort items. Suppose there were some gadgets on the market that could serve both need and comfort? Might that ease the planning stress syndrome?

Clothes, shoes and toothbrush aside, what does everybody take on their trip abroad? Hint: Something to help them share the trip’s memories with family and friends. That’s right, a camera. Certainly cellphones are good in a pinch, but for those special moments, you want a decent piece of equipment to capture what most cell phones miss - details:

Sony Cybershot w GPS
An 18MP Exmor R sensor promises excellent quality low light images, despite the relatively high resolution. A 20x optical zoom lens providing an angle of view equivalent to a 35-500mm lens on a 35mm camera should cover most photographic situations when traveling. High quality Full HD 50p videos can be recorded, and a GPS function is included for tagging images with your position. Plenty of artistic picture effects and easy creative options are also included to get your creativity flowing.

FourSquare App

Foursquare is a location-based social networking website for mobile devices, such a smartphones. Users using a mobile website check in at venues using a mobile website, text messaging or a device-specific application. The app uses the iPhone’s built-in GpS at restaurants, bars, parks, and other attractions in your city. When you visit any of those locations, you "check in" on the FourSquare app. It then broadcasts your location to your friends. You will also be able to see where your friends have checked in. This helps you meet up with them or find new things to do. This nifty app allows you to write reviews and info about the location, which will be available to others who use Foursquare.

These tips include everything from the best thing to order off a restaurant's menu or the secret cocktail that is a must-order at a local bar. You can also read users’ tips to find out which spaces are the best and what’s worth eating, drinking or seeing. As a student studying abroad, this is a great way to find places where local students and young people hang out, thus enhancing your cultural immersion. Foursquare is a simple way to let family and friends back home know where you are and what you’re up to (if you want them to know). Plus, it’s quicker and cheaper than a phone call.

Spork

Cross between a spoon and a fork, convenient for eating snacks, street meals, questionable sanitation issues, lightweight, space saving

Pebblewatch

I know what you’re thinking. Who wears a watch these days? Pebblewatch isthe first watch built for the 21st century. It's infinitely customizable, with beautiful down-loadable watch faces and useful Internet-connected apps. Pebble connects to iPhone and Android smartphones. Bluetooth, alerting you with a silent vibration to incoming calls, emails and messages. While designing Pebble, we strove to create a minimalist yet fashionable product that seamlessly blends into everyday life.

Padlock
Okay, it’s not a gadget, but it’s a necessary item.

Adaptor plugs

It might seem obvious, but lots of people tend to forget these, or think they can buy them once out there. Wrong. So many countries don’t do the whole 3-pin plug converters, so make sure you pack a few spares..

USB
Travel charge adaptor Universal 4-port USB Power Charger Adapter Travel Adapter with US/UK/EU/AU Plugs for Mobile Devices.

Travel wall charger adapter with 4 USB ports

Use the power adapter to charge mobile devices such as iPad, iPod, mobile phones, and music players. Easy operation, connect the adapter to your mobile devices via standard USB charging cable (not included)

With 4 USB ports, you can charger 4 devices at the same time

Comes with 4 detachable types of plugs (US/ UK/ EU/ AU) to make your different needs

Simply plug the charger into any different style wall outlet

Clear UV Water Purifier
Purifies water anytime, anywhere. The purifier has an ultraviolet light bulb in the bottle cap and is good for 10,000 cleaning cycles

Travel Earplugs

For a joyful and quiet environment, these are invaluable

Joshua John is the digital strategist for MBA@UNC, the University of North Carolina mba degree online. He also loves gadgets, movies, and all things links. Follow him on twitter @joshuavjohn.

 

Crowd Funding Your Trip

Traveling can be very expensive. In some cases, depending on where you decide to go, you can easily spend over a thousand dollars on transportation, entry fees, and visas before you even set foot in another country.

For many aspiring travelers, financial limitations are a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to overcome in order to realize their travel ambitions. But thanks to people’s generosity and the increasing popularity of crowd funding, those dreams are able to become reality.

Crowd funding has been around for centuries, but its essentially an effort to raise a funds for a project or endeavor by collecting money from a large group of people, typically from the Internet, according to Forbes Magazine.

However, while there is an endless supply of potential backers out there, there are no guarantees that they will find out about your project or choose to fund it.

The first step in personal travel fundraising is finding the best site for your project. Indiegogo is a good option as it allows people to start campaigns for anything. One benefit of using Indiegogo is the Flexible Funding option; Flexible Funding guarantees that in the event that the campaign raises money but fails to reach the goal, the user is still able to keep the funds that were raised, aside from the 9 percent platform fee.

On Indiegogo, it’s a common practice to offer backers a reward for their donation, and these tokens of gratitude are usually on a tiered scale. For example, backers who donate $5 to your trip to Chile can get a postcard while those who give $200 can get lapis lazuli jewelry. These rewards are tokens of gratitude, which are optional for backers to claim, that can also serve as incentives for potential backers.

If you want to travel abroad in order to volunteer, consider posting your campaign on Volunteer Forever. The site has an extensive list of volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in volunteering but haven’t found the perfect program yet, Volunteer Forever can help you find your dream opportunity and raise the funds necessary to get there. Unlike Indiegogo, Volunteer Forever doesn’t have a rewards system, so backers support your project without wanting or expecting anything in return.

For newlywed couples planning on embarking on their honeymoon, HoneyFund helps you raise money from loved ones for your trip. Rather than choosing from your registry at the department store, people can donate money to fund your trip. Unlike projects posted on Indiegogo and Volunteer Forever which practically depend on the kindness of strangers, HoneyFund allows people who were already planning on spending money on a gift for you spend it in a different way.

After you’ve selected the best site for your travel fundraising project, you have to convincingly plead your case to the Internet. A quick glance on Indiegogo and Volunteer Forever shows that there are countless people seeking funding for their dreams, and some have found considerably more success than others. Campaigns become successful because the people behind them articulate their objectively clearly.

From the outset, you need to engage the visitor. If you decide to put a video on your page, make sure it’s well made and isn’t just a boring talking head clip. If you’re interested in environmental science and want to go see Mount Kilimanjaro before all of the snow melts, put photos illustrating the mountain’s snow loss in your video.

Share a brief personal anecdote that conveys your desire to go on this trip; this will resonate with potential backers. If you choose to write and include photos rather than a video, be sure that your statement is well-written. Also, if you’ve been saving money for the trip, mention it. This shows that you are actively involved in making this trip a reality, and you’re asking for help to achieve a goal that, despite your best efforts, is frustratingly out of your reach.

Lastly, remember that fundraising is an active process. Use social media to raise awareness of your project.  Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr are all great platforms for interacting with people who may fund your trip. Share links to interesting articles relevant to the destination. Post captivating photos of your potential trip sites with a sentence or two detailing why you want to go there. Use other social media friendly materials to get people interested in your trip. After all, the more you sell the trip, the more likely you are to get people’s support.

About the author: Joshua John is the digital strategist for the MBA@UNC program, the University of North Carolinas mba online. In addition to traveling, he also loves gadgets, movies, and all things Batman. Follow him on twitter @joshuavjohn.

 

Using Foursquare Abroad

To say Foursquare is a popular app is an understatement. Within three years, it has grown to a community of 25 million registered users worldwide. Due to its popularity and breadth, the location-based app is filled with countless check-ins, specials and tips. While checking in may be second nature to you here in the United States, you may not expect to get much mileage — if any at all — with the app when you’re studying abroad.

But you’d be wrong! Aside from the obvious badges and mayorships, Foursquare can actually be useful during your time abroad, for obvious reasons and some not so much. Here are five ways in which Foursquare can enhance your study abroad:

1. Find local favorites.
Every tourist wants to visit the best places a country or city has to offer. Until recently, travelers had only guidebooks to help them on their journey, and while some guidebook recommendations are certainly worth visiting, there’s nothing quite like stopping by a spot frequented and celebrated by locals. Through Foursquare’s Explore button, you can find personalized suggestions for nearby venues. You can also read users’ tips to find out which spaces are the best and what’s worth eating, drinking or seeing. As a student studying abroad, this is a great way to find places where local students and young people hang out, thus enhancing your cultural immersion.

2. Make lists.
Some free spirits prefer to not have an itinerary when they travel, but more often than not, you’ll probably want to see certain places and check out certain events when you’re abroad. Foursquare’s Lists feature allows you to create a list filled with venues you want to see, so you’ll always have them ready to reference. You can also share your list with friends, and they can add their recommendations for places to visit while you’re abroad.

3. Keep track of where you’ve been.
Thanks to Foursquare and its log of your check-ins, you no longer have to worry about trying to remember all of the twists and turns you made and arbitrary landmarks you passed before stumbling upon that wonderful café that rainy afternoon. The digital record ensures that any place you're fond of can be visited time and time again, either on your current trip or on a return visit.

4. Let people know where you are.
Foursquare is best known for popularizing the term “checking in,” and for students studying abroad, checking in on Foursquare is a simple way to let family and friends back home know where you are and what you’re up to (if you want them to know). Plus, it’s quicker and cheaper than a phone call.

5. Find your friends.
Just as people are able to find out where you are based on your check-ins, you can easily find your fellow study-abroad peers by taking a look at their check-ins. If your class got out early or you feel like going out, a quick glance at Foursquare will provide you with the information you need to find and meet up with your friends.

Joshua John currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Virtual Master of Social Work program, which provides social workers the opportunity to earn an online social work degree. He also loves gadgets, movies, and all things Batman. Follow him on twitter: @joshuavjohn.

 

How I Struggled With the Decision to Travel Abroad

If you’re a college student considering a travel abroad program, I strongly encourage you to sign up for it.

I can tell you from personal experience that traveling abroad—especially during your college years—can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. During my tenure as an undergraduate I traveled to several countries in Western Europe, an amazingly eye-opening time that helped make me the person I am today. I learned to appreciate different cultures and peoples, I learned a heck of a lot about myself, and I made some of the best friends of my life.

And to think that such a transformative moment in my youth almost never happened.

You see, I wasn’t always gung-ho about traveling abroad. No, at first I was actually quite comfortable in the sheltered environment at my college. I had developed fast friendships with my peers and couldn’t imagine traveling anywhere else when I could spend my time taking classes at school, learning as much as I could from my writing professors.  Whenever professors or fellow students brought up the topic of traveling abroad, I figured it was a prospect only meant for privileged rich kids or free spirited students with no direction in life. It didn’t seem like something that was possible or desirable for someone like me, a young woman from a middle class family with ambitions of being a novelist.

What’s more, I harbored serious reservations about the potential safety hazards that could befall someone traveling abroad. I worried about all sorts of outrageous worst case scenarios: losing my passport in the middle of a country where no one spoke English; being kidnapped for ransom money; running out of my own money before the trip had ended; regretting my destination as soon as I arrived there. No outlandish traumatic event was too crazy to consider if I could dream it up—I had made the prospect of traveling so scary that I didn’t even bother thinking about it.

Long story short, I was pretty ignorant and unnecessarily paranoid about the subject.

That all changed when I befriended a classmate in my junior year who had just come back from a semester long trip in Europe. Her rich and unbelievable stories about traveling to such destinations as Milan, Frankfurt, and Paris immediately dispelled the reservations I had about traveling. My friend explained to me how she, like me, had been immensely anxious about the prospect of traveling. She wondered what would go wrong and worried that she might be put in an uncomfortable situation in a foreign country. But once she actually got to her destination, once she actually set foot on solid ground in the UK, in France, in Germany, and in Italy, everything changed.

The very next day after talking with my friend about her experiences I signed myself up for a study abroad program affiliated with my college’s English department. That summer I traveled all across Western Europe, a three month-long experience that would change my life forever. All the inhibitions and baseless fears I harbored were lessened with each passing day in a foreign country. What’s more, it made me a better person.

I hope that you give yourself the chance to have the same experience.

About the author. With knowledge of the best background check companies and tactics, Jane Smith provides vital information and tips throughout her blogs and site www.backgroundcheck.org. Email her your thoughts or concerns at janesmith161@gmail.com

5 Ways to Travel Cheaply

Whether you are travelling aboard or domestically, travelling is expensive. It is a luxury for those who are able to afford it, but there are 5 ways that you can cut down the cost before you hit your next destination. 

Timing: Consider the location that you want to visit and find out when their off season is. An off season is typically a time period where the destination doesn’t see a lot of travel and money coming in. A lot of different destinations try to keep travel going through these times to bring more money into their economy, so costs are dropped considerably. Tropical destinations tend to be slower during their ‘cooler’ months and cooler places like Colorado, typically offer discounts during the summers. 

Travel agent: Work with a travel agent if you can. Travel agents not only help cut out the nonsense of planning of a trip but they typically know how to get you the best deal and know all the right questions to ask. 

Sooner the better: You have heard the saying before, ‘the early bird catches the worm’ and when it comes to traveling and saving, this is your best advice. The earlier you book the better on your bank account. You can never book a trip too early. Try booking your trip 4-6 months advance. Flights tend to be the cheapest the further out you book. 

Domestic: If you are looking to travel but you need to cut back. Consider on your destination location to save money. Going abroad is going to always cost you more because of the flight prices. So travel domestically and during the off season. If it is possible, look at driving in a gas friendly car to your destination, rather than booking a flight. 

Sleeping arrangements: After a flight ticket the next cost to consider is where you decide to sleep at night. Forget the fancy hotels; remember that you will only be sleeping in the room at the end of the day. If you are travelling abroad, look into hostels. Hostels are half the price of a hotel. Keep in mind with this price cut you will be in a dorm like accommodation rather a nice hotel. There are some hostels that you can request to be alone in your room. 

The best ways to save for a trip is to start early and do your homework and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can travel cheaply if you follow these tricks. Now start your planning and have fun with it! Happy and safe travels!

Author Bio. Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to nanny service by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.

5 Things You Should Know Before You Board

Traveling isn’t always easy, especially if you plan on going abroad. There are all sorts of odds and ends to check before you head over. Here are 5 things you should take notes on before you get to your destination.

Weather: Check the weather. Believe it or not, a lot of travelers forge to check the weather, which makes packing interesting. Check the forecast for your time you will be there and pack accordingly. Remember if you forget something not to panic, that most places you will head too will have some sort of market or store you can get that missed item. 

Flying Rules: Going to another country you will encounter a lot of security and check points. Make sure that you carry all the correct identification papers you need like your state license and passport. Be sure that you are aware of what customs will go through and understand what you can and cannot bring into their country. A tip: Always plan plenty of time between each stop, custom lines can get very long and time consuming. 

Transportation: Research how you will get around once you arrive. Will you need a taxi? Are there train, bus or subway stations to take and what will you need to ride these? Can you walk to your final destination? You can do this all by checking out your accommodation’s website, if all else fails send an email and ask for help from the hostel, host family or hotel. 

Currency: You want to know before you land, where what the currency rate is and where you can get your money exchanged. Sooner the better. Most airports offer places once you exit the plane. Be sure that you understand the rate exchange and always count your money and keep it safe.

General laws and policies: Every country has the same basic rules, don’t hurt anyone and mind the rules. Before you head to your new place, check out that countries website for laws and regulations. You want to be sure you know what is okay and what is not okay. Studying these laws can help prevent any unfortunate mishaps from happening. 

Safe travels and Bon Voyage!

Author Bio. Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com

Tips for Daily Living in a Foreign Country

After you’ve gotten your tickets, packed your bags and leased your foreign apartment; you may be surprised to find the little things in life may be more complicated than advanced grammar. 

Grocery Shopping

You will soon discover that the student budget doesn’t cover dining out for every meal and a trip to the grocery will be in order. Many countries have street markets, like Rome’s Campo dei Fiori. The market is a perfect place to practice your communication skills as you haggle price and discover new foods. Bring cash and a sturdy bag to carry your goods. 

Walking down the aisle of a foreign grocery store is an interactive vocabulary lesson, but it could present cultural challenges as well. Some grocery stores require communication over deli counters, and you may also may be required to weigh and price your produce selection. 

Laundry

Many apartments abroad do not provide washing machines, and finding the right laundry detergent is also a challenge when shopping. (Learn the word for bleach!) You may be required to hand wash your clothes and leave them to dry on the line; or you may have to trek across town to the laundry mat.

The best way to manage your laundry is to pack lightly. Literally. Carrying your laundry across town can be a feat of strength if you over pack, and managing a bulky bag in a packed public transport car is extremely difficult. 

Choose clothing that is resilient and climate appropriate. If possible, choose materials that can be worn more than once. Although looking and feeling your best is important, you can save yourself a lot of grief with a low-maintenance wardrobe.

Linens

You may be required to provide your own linens, bedding and towels. Without a car, you are entirely dependent on public transportation, and most neighborhoods don’t have a linen store. This means you will be required to travel to the shopping districts, or even the outskirts, of the city to find household items. 

Even then, finding sheet sizes to match your mattress can be a challenge, and most language classes don’t cover the word “pillowcase” or “duvet”. Come prepared with a list in both English and the native language. If you need help, this will help you communicate more easily with the sales clerks.

 

If you study arboad, ask a professor for language and culture tips for making day-to-day living easier while you’re studying abroad. 

About the Author. An experienced writer on all things related to higher education and business, Amanda Watson spends her days covering the latest stories on various topics such as online mba rankings, web entrepreneurship, and social media marketing. You can contact Amanda at watsonamanda.48@gmail.com.