Travel demands that you live in the present moment to completely experience the world around you. However, most of the time that’s easier said than done. With so many distractions, it can be hard to totally let everything go and appreciate where you are right there and then. Lucky for you – we’ve put together nine tips and tricks to help you live in the moment while traveling abroad.
1. Go explore
Your internship, host city, and the world around you all present new opportunities. The thing is, you have to go out and actively find them. Mindless sitting on the couch watching Netflix won’t leave an impact on your life or become a meaningful memory. Instead of simply burning time, go out and use the months you have to explore your new environment.
No future moment is guaranteed to be better than the one you’re currently living in. A new city and country present limitless opportunities that will change your life. Living in the moment starts by simply walking out your door and appreciating the present.
2. Just say yes
When traveling, you’ll come across a lot of opportunities you may have never even dreamed of. It could be something as simple as trying new foods, or as adventurous as traveling to another country for the weekend.
Many times these opportunities force you to step outside of your comfort zone and help you develop as a person. If there’s one thing you always want to say yes to, its personal growth.
Be willing to say yes to the adventures and once in a lifetime experiences that come your way. By saying no to opportunities, you’re setting yourself up for regrets and a lot of what-ifs. You’ll never regret trying new things and pushing yourself farther than you ever thought possible.
3. Let some plans fall apart
Before heading abroad, you’ll plan out some of the things you want to see and do. While you should certainly check off the important items on your list, don’t fall for sticking strictly to your plans. Be flexible because new opportunities will come up and situations will present themselves that you won’t want to pass up.
Some of the best moments in life are the ones that aren’t planned. An impromptu adventure can be a memory you’ll hold on to forever. Traveling abroad leads to plenty of unplanned adventures, so you just need to be ready to take advantage of every moment.
4. Take a minute
Once you start exploring, you’ll never want to stop. Your heart will race, and you’ll use that adrenal rush to keep feeding your wanderlust. However, that’s why it’s so important to take a few minutes to stop and observe the world around you.
Merely taking a few moments to truly pay attention to the things around you gives you a deeper sense of belonging. All it takes is a few minutes of slowing down to appreciate the unique culture you’ve found yourself in. Etch the minutes into your memory and let them define who you are, these are the moments that will change your life.
5. Don’t worry about social media
Its cliché to say we spend too much time on our phones, but it’s alarmingly accurate. Most of us live through the lens of a smartphone and feel the need to post constant updates of our lives on the internet. For a quick second, it may feel rewarding to watch the likes start piling up, but all this really does is take you away from your present moment.
Of course, you’ll want to show your friends and family back home your adventures. However, resist the urge to post everything the second it happens. You can always post a status later on, but you can never relive a missed moment again.
The catchy captions and savvy statuses eventually get buried, but the memories you make last a lifetime.
6. Love your internship
You don’t take the brave step to intern abroad to just “survive” the work week or fill a space on your resume. You intern abroad to get the experience of a lifetime in a field that inspires you.
Every day find something new to appreciate at your internship. Week one of your internship won’t be the same as week six, but every day will bring new opportunities and more moments to grow as a person and as a professional.
7. Start a conversation
Don’t just work with people at your international internship – get to know them. One of the most valuable aspects of travel is getting to know other individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. Getting to know locals ensures you’ll have a rewarding experience and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you.
It may seem intimidating to strike up a conversation, but don’t be afraid. You’ll soon discover different cultures share similar values. We all want to learn, have new experiences, and connect with one another. By getting to know locals, you’ll boost your cross-cultural skills and walk away from your travels feeling more fulfilled.
8. Stay focused on the present
Dreams and goals are essential. They’re what keep us going and give us something to strive for. As a young professional or student, you might have set career goals all the way up to retirement. While these goals are important to be successful in life, don’t stay stuck in your worries about the future.
Living to only fulfill tomorrow’s dreams hinders you from living in the moment. The here and now is the only guaranteed opportunity you have. Don’t be enthralled with the dream of the future; you’ll miss out on the promise of the present.
9. Don’t worry
Traveling isn’t always perfect – flights get delayed, culture shock can hit hard, and like any world traveler, you’ll get lost at some point. In those moments don't panic.
Worrying does nothing more than rob you of fully experiencing what is happening right now. Instead of worrying about feeling overwhelmed and getting lost, think about what you can do to make the situation better. Don’t miss out on our life by spending your time worrying.
Now that you know these nine tips, you’re ready to start planning your trip abroad. Let Global Experiences help you adventure around the world and find the moments you’ll want to live in forever. Apply today and a member of our team will get in touch as soon as possible.
