Preparing for your stay abroad: A checklist for your big step

Once you have answered all of the above questions, you can now start planning your stay abroad in detail! The first thing you need to do is check whether all your... ID cards are still valid and for how long. If you want to go abroad outside the EU, you need a passport. Applying for this can take a few weeks, so keep that in mind and allow enough time for it.

For many countries you also need a Visa. It's best to get information from the Foreign Office or the consulate of your destination country. Also keep in mind that this can also take a while and involves additional costs. Also pay attention to what type of visa you need to get. For Work & Travel, for example, there are special visas for which you may also have to see a doctor beforehand.

If you want to drive abroad, you may need one International driver's license need. You also have to apply for this in advance.

Another point are Insurance, A Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance are recommended for such a big trip. You may also want to take out additional long-term foreign insurance and social insurance. But the most important thing is one Health Insurance, so that you are also insured if you become ill abroad.

Health should definitely be an important topic in your planning. drugsthat you take every day should not be forgotten. It might also be helpful to take a letter from your doctor with you in case you need regular medication or have a medical condition. This can save you a lot of time and stress abroad.

A emergency bag with bandages, plasters and other important supplies can be very helpful in certain situations.

Before you leave, it's best to visit your family doctor again and get a thorough check-up. Also make sure that everyone necessary vaccinations for abroad and don't forget to take your vaccination certificate with you on your trip.

You probably saved a lot of money for such a big trip. You must also be able to access this money from abroad. So think about yours Payment method abroad. Do you need a credit card or do you pay via an app? What is the local currency and should you change money in Germany or is it cheaper in the destination country? Do you need cash at all or can you pay for everything with a card on site?

Another preparation that can take a lot of time is this Language. You may be traveling to a country where you don't speak the language and hope that your knowledge of English is sufficient. However, if you are staying for a longer period of time, you should consider whether you do not want to learn the language spoken there or whether you would like to deepen your existing knowledge. You have many options - from a course at the adult education center or one TOEFL course to apps on your phone.

Learning the local language can also help you better understand the mentality and traditions. You can often learn things about the history of the country. All of this helps, including you mental on your journey prepare. If you do this, you will be able to immerse yourself in a new culture in a much more relaxed manner. 

In order to take the big step abroad, you are still missing two important aspects. First of all, you should have your Round trip to plan. Are you traveling within Europe and can you take the train? Or would you rather go far away and fly? Consider whether you already want a fixed return ticket or whether you would prefer to remain flexible. If you fly, also consider baggage restrictions.

The second important point is yours Accommodation on site. Are you traveling with an organization that already provides accommodation for you? Or are you traveling alone and have to take care of it yourself? If you're taking a Work & Travel Gap Year, do you already have a job where you also have accommodation? Looking for an apartment can be very stressful. Therefore, take enough time to research and, if necessary, sleep in the hostel for the first few nights so that you can look at the apartments on site yourself.

If you on site The question arises as to whether you want to use scooters or public transport, for example. If you decide to use public transport, you should find out about the payment options. Are there monthly tickets or reloadable cards? It's also important to consider whether you need a vehicle at all or whether you'll just be in one place. You may even want to drive a car yourself.

The formal is there. You're probably already full of anticipation and can't wait to start your trip. But one thing is still missing… your luggage. But what do you need to take with you for a long and possibly indefinite period of time?

Starting with the Luggage-Choice. Would you rather have a suitcase or a backpack? Of course it depends on where you want to go. Do you only travel in cities with well-developed and asphalted roads? In this case, it might be more practical to choose a suitcase as luggage. If the infrastructure may not be good, then a backpack is recommended. However, if you are unsure, a backpack is usually a better choice as it is more flexible.

• Dress: Weatherproof and suitable clothing
• Workwear: This must also be allowed to get dirty
• Headgear
• Shoes: Sturdy shoes and also some for showering
• Hygiene products
• Towel: e.g. special travel towels that are compact and dry quickly
• socket adapter
• Powerbank: There are also solar powered ones that could be quite handy
• SIM card: Especially useful outside of Europe in order to be reachable and be able to use mobile internet
• Sleeping bag
• ear plug
• Sleep mask

Be sure to leave room in your luggage for souvenirs or other things you will buy on site.

You can also find detailed information about what you should take with you in our Packing List.

A year abroad can be very overwhelming and requires careful planning. But if you take enough time and do it in a structured way, it won't be so stressful and the anticipation will grow with every point you complete.

It is important to have a clear idea in advance of what you want to do during your stay abroad and what you are getting into. Don't underestimate the importance of mental preparation, especially if you're traveling to a country that you don't know yet and that may be very different from your home country. It can be helpful to prepare for this in advance and deal with the cultural differences.

A year abroad will definitely shape you and you will be able to gain lots of new experiences, no matter where you end up going and how long you stay there.

In order to gain initial experience abroad, a flexible Volunteering be an excellent choice. This can often be done from just two weeks and you can usually choose the start date and duration yourself. You will be supported in planning by an organization that will also offer you accommodation and, in many cases, food on site.

In addition, you will definitely quickly make contact with other participants and there will always be a contact person on site as well as in Germany. As a volunteer, you will gain authentic insights into the local way of life by working with locals and enjoying everyday life.

It's best to take a look at ours now Volunteer projects abroad at and contact us happy if you have any questions! If you are still unsure, then be sure to take a look at ours comprehensive instructions for a stay abroad.