10 Tips for Traveling Abroad

1. Ensure your paperwork is complete for your visa and your passport. And, fill in the emergency information page of your passport! 
2. Read the travel warnings for your intended destination and check the status of the travel advisories from the US Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Be mindful of being a US citizen in a foreign country where things might work differently.
4. Make 1 copy of your passport identification page to leave at home with friends or relatives and 1 copy to keep with you while you travel in a separate compartment or piece of luggage. This will help you get a passport replacement if your passport is lost or stolen.
5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
6. Never leave your luggage unattended in public areas.
7. Register with the nearest US embassy or consulate before your trip through the State Department’s travel registration website. Registering will help authorities alert you in case of emergencies.
8. Try to blend in with the general public. Do not wear expensive jewelry, flashy clothes or carry large sums of cash.
9. In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money.
10. Contact the nearest US embassy if you have issues. It helps to put their contact information in your phone before traveling in case of emergencies.