International travel can be a great adventure, with many cool locations begging to be explored and many ways to get there! You can catch a convenient and affordable flight to Cancun and countless other exciting international locations from your Harlingen international airport.
Before you hop on the plane to your international destination, remember that each town and city is different. You’ll want to research any important cultural differences ahead of time to be sure you’re prepared.
Check out the list of tips below to make sure you’re prepared the next time you travel to some amazing far-flung destination!
Learn Basic Phrases
Learning a few basic phrases in the language spoken by the people at your destination can help you as you navigate through your trip. These basic phrases might include greetings, dining interactions, emergency questions, and much more. Below, you can find a list of some of the phrases that you might need to know at your destination!
- Good morning!
- Please
- Thank yo
- I need help!
- Where Is the hospital/hotel/bathroom?
- How much?
- Do you take credit cards?
Be Prepared to Communicate
When you are getting ready for your overseas travel, it may be helpful to download a translator app or pick up a language book. In our high-tech world, many apps are available to download for quick and easy access to translation:
- Google Translate
- SayHi
- TextGrabber
- Microsoft Translator
- TripLingo
Language books are also a great resource to have in case your phone battery dies or you don’t have internet service. You can pick up a guide for most languages at a general bookstore, or order online before you leave.
Be Considerate of Cultural Differences
No matter where you travel, you can expect to interact with cultures and people who are different than you. Be sure to check the cultural rules before leaving home. For example, some cultures consider eye contact to be rude, and other cultures may consider it a sign of disrespect. While traveling internationally, it’s important that each of us does what we can to respect other cultures and show politeness toward one another. This means respecting peoples’ customs and expectations regarding the following issues:
- Clothing
- Body language
- Communication style
- Religion
- Dining
- Politics
VIA Partners With Viva Aerobus to Get You the Best Flights
Being considerate of cultural differences and communication can make a huge impact on your traveling experience. While you might think that you can travel anywhere in the world and act the same way, the fact is that the way we behave can affect how others treat us, even when we don’t know it.
This summer, have a blast no matter where you go with a bit of easy research ahead of time— and a convenient one-stop flight from your Valley International Airport! Hop on flight to Cancun to have the adventure of a lifetime!