A stay abroad, e.g. to learn the language of the country or simply to get to know the country and its people better, needs to be well prepared.

Many journeys and destinations have surprises in store that can lead to problems if you are unprepared.

Theft, illness or breakdowns can quickly lead to disillusionment and make things a necessity that you would never have dreamed of before.

It is therefore advisable to think in advance about what to expect in a particular country. In the age of all-inclusive tourism, this is usually neglected because people prefer to rely on the tour operator, who is responsible for everything. However, if you are travelling on your own, good advance planning is not only useful, but can also save your holiday and your wallet.

National language and other lingua franca or commercial languages?

In particular, it is important to find out whether your native language, or at least a language you speak, is spoken where you are staying and by whom. Being too vague can quickly lead to frustration if you thought there was someone on every corner and then there is no one there. It is definitely advisable to take at least a small phrase book and a dictionary with you. These are even available for languages that use a different writing system.

Currency

In the days of the Deutschmark, people were still used to knowing the exchange rate of a currency. Nowadays, with certain exceptions, this is no longer necessary within Europe and it is easy to forget that other countries do business with different money and you hardly know the value of this currency. You should therefore familiarise yourself with the local currency before you travel. There are exchange rate calculators on the Internet that you can use free of charge, e.g. www.xe.com. These provide an initial indication of the current exchange rate.

Once in the country, try to find out what things cost in different shops in different places, as often the prices in the typical tourist shops are outrageously high and it can be worth looking for bargains.

Medical care

It goes without saying that vaccinations must be carried out for various countries before travelling, which are a prerequisite for entry.

Most people tend to be optimistic and hope that they won't fall ill while travelling, but many also underestimate what to expect in a new, possibly exotic country.

Hygiene during food preparation, or contact with unknown germs and bacteria or pathogens in general, can quickly paralyse an otherwise healthy person.

Major differences to German healthcare standards can mean that you quickly feel lost and abandoned if help is not immediately available.

In the event of an illness that cannot be treated with a normal first-aid kit, you should be well informed about how to obtain medical care as a tourist and what standards to expect.

Are there any German or other European doctors practising there?
Having your emergency numbers to hand can save you long waiting times in local hospitals. However, it is always easier to look for this information in advance than at the time you need the doctor.

Which places should I stay away from as a tourist?

You should also pay attention to this question if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises. It is certainly possible to find out in advance where you could put yourself in unnecessary danger. Travel agencies, the Internet, travel guides and local hotel staff can all help you with this. In urban areas, these can be individual districts or entire neighbourhoods; in the countryside, dangers related to flora and fauna may well be lurking.

It is therefore also useful to know which plants and animals are poisonous or dangerous to humans and where they are more likely to be found.

If you are looking for an adventure holiday, it is better to entrust yourself to the services of a guide who knows the country, the people and the animals and can take you there and back safely.

Exploring places on your own that you are not able to assess yourself can quickly become your undoing.

The purpose of these tips is of course not to spoil your stay, but to prevent your dream holiday from turning into a nightmare. Even the biggest optimist should be prepared.