Before traveling to a foreign country, what are the most important things I should find out about that country

Question

I want to travel to most countries in Asia , hence i would like to know what is it that i should know when i go to these foreign nations?

Answer 1

Read the other answers

Answer 2

Get your shots and take your preventative medecine before you go. I didn't and got malaria.
Keep your passport and big money in a bag around your neck inside your shirt or secured on your body in some other way. I didn't and suffered a pickpocket attack.
You will find that their is a tourist industry in every country you travel to. You can stay at a hotel, eat hamburgers and drink Coke, get in an air conditioned bus to go to a tourist attraction, speak English all day with fellow travelers and tourist professionals and travel in an air conditioned bus to the next American style hotel in the next city. This is the most expensive way to go or you can get up in the morning and wander out of your hotel and go down to the market area and buy the same hot drinks and pastries that the locals are eating on their way to work. You could rent or buy a bicycle for a day or a week trip. You could stop and watch a house being constructed and sit with the workers during their break. Then that night you could stay in the local equivalent of a bed and breakfast spot or a working man's hotel for 25% of what you would pay to stay in the American style hotel. Of course you might see a lizard crawl up the wall when you open the door but don't worry. If they're actually dangerous, the locals would have gotten rid of them or will for you if you ask them to. But they're just there to keep the bugs down.

Answer 3

Health issues: are there health risks like viruses or diseases or if you need to take shots before going.
Also, if you are taking electronics with you you will need adapters for the foreign outlets and there are about 10 different types of outlet around the world. Brookstone selles adapters kits for a cheap price.
Make sure you know your embassy or consulate contact information. Localize them in each country and keep that with you.
Currency: where can you make change if needed. Remember it's better to carry travels checks rather than cash.
Also read a little bit about each country's culture, religion/s, .... You don't want to offend anyone by a mistep and get in trouble. People are sensitive and proud sometimes, as much as they are very happy to host or show you about their lives, they might not like it if you don't do it their way.
Have some sort of pocket translator with you at all time. Clear communication is key in this world.

Answer 4

Besides all of the good advice everyone has given you about visas, culture etc etc, make sure that you know what you're interested in for each country. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have friends who I've travelled with who were suprised that certain countries weren't huge on nightlife, or the food was ordinary. Just learn as much as you can about the country before you go and take it for what it is.
ALSO - DON'T FOLLOW THE LONELY PLANET LIKE IT'S A BIBLE!

Answer 5

what the money and cost of an average meal is, and how much a night for an average place to stay. Figure out the best way to make friends inside that country if you want to make friends!

figure out what places have things that interest you before you go. its easier to go if you have a few goals to direct your travel, but dont get too hung up them either. Enjoy the trip!

Make sure there isnt any recent attacks on tourists before you go, I suppose, but if you are careful about local customs and dont touch their women you should be fine, unless there is a civil war/rebellion in the place. That might be better avoided, but hey, go hard man! A good rule is avoid insulting customs the locals have and often take seriously, even if the guy with a million swords through his cheeks looks funny, dont laugh, he has swords! (unless everyone else is laughing too!) When in rome, do as the romans, except for driving.

Let them do that, until you are comfortable to the local traffic chaos/order that may rule in each country. Then rent yourself a motorbike or car if you feel a need to go faster and if you are there for long enough for it to be worth it.

make sure you know what the rules are for your nationality to visit before you show up. Some places have different visa requirements. Its usually better to do all the paperwork ahead of time, but most countries let westerners in for limited amounts of time without any problems, as long as you tell the airport security guys a hotel name that is somewhere in their country.

its always a good idea to do some research before you go to whatever country you are looking to get into. Figure out a good itenerary of places you want to see and how much time and money you have to see them. Thats about it for general advice. Pick some specific places, do more research, and go for it!

Answer 6

I'm going to have to differ with most of the people who have responded. I have been a world traveler all my life. Other than checking with your country's state department before leaving (or checking in and registering with your embassy/high commission in each country -- they will tell you about security threats, health treats, etc.), I would go without preconceived notions or ideas or tour books or whatever. Let the adventure begin without something someone else thought about something that is for you to experience, good or bad, scary or exciting, memorable or forgettable. But then again, that's me. Many people do feel more comfortable being taken care of, having things planned out, being with like people, etc. Whatever you ultimately decide to do and how you do it, enjoy!!!

Answer 7

If anything, I would suggest going over pronunciation of difficult words and reviewing grammar. I know these are the simplest things, but since I go to a school with a lot of international students, I am very used to how it becomes difficult for them to speak. Stress the importance of adjectives such as "a, an, & the" and just work on stressing pronunciation. (I've had friends who have had to repeat things many times until they've really had to force themselves and try very hard to say the word correctly, and then I have finally understood.) I cannot think of much else, other than to maybe talk to him about how he might see animals he's not used to seeing. (I had one friend who came over to my house (who was from Vietnam) and she was scared by our dog, because she had only seen very small ones in her home country.)

Answer 8

I would say from experience first and foremost the language and things like embassy locations and laws.

Answer 9

you should have valid visas for all the countiries in ur Iteneray
keep ur passport ,Cash and Cards in the safe place.
Do what the others r doing dont try any adventure

Answer 10

make sure you have maps about that country, information- culture, language, places of interest, places you should avoid, and maybe some travel warnings.

Answer 11

know basic language, get a small dictionary w/ useful frases. i would also recommend knowing whether or not your cell phone works in those countries and if not, figuring out how you would call home otherwise. research into weird ettiquete traditions a little.