Joshua Expeditions has collected many time-tested tips that help our travelers get ready for their tours. To fully prepare, pay special attention to the following recommendations.

Do your best to not look like a tourist. Although you will be excited about seeing new sights and encountering new cultures, be respectful of the people who live in these communities year-round. Take some time to read about your destination cities before you depart and begin your tour with a little knowledge of local customs and traditions. If you’re traveling to a foreign country, memorize a greeting in the language of your destination. Even a simple phrase can serve to “break the ice”, if not the communication barrier. You might also try to limit your daily accessories to necessary items instead of lugging around a heavy pack that automatically distinguishes you as a tourist. Everything from the clothes you wear and words you speak to body language and facial expressions will tell people a great deal about who you are and where you’re from. Remember that you are a visitor to each city. Your actions should reflect your role as an ambassador of Jesus Christ and of your home country. Leave the locals with a good opinion of both.

Don’t evaluate the culture; learn to become a part of it. Take every situation as a chance to learn something new, and embrace unfamiliar customs as a chance to broaden your own life experience. Customs vary from city to city. Foods may be unusual to you and things may occur at a different speed than you are accustomed, but don’t judge what is unfamiliar. Set out with the mindset to try new foods and view life from a different perspective. Flexibility is the key to all successful tours. If your schedule changes, be prepared to go with the flow. Changes do not mean something went wrong but rather that a new plan will be implemented. It is important to remember that you are a guest in another person’s world. Respect other people by not criticizing their ways or laughing at their traditions. Do not put your cultural values or standards of living above those of another person. Consider Jesus’ example from Philippians 2: 5-11: He left his own culture and all that was familiar to Him in order to serve others. We should do the same.

Pray for the communities you will be visiting, that God would use your group to the fullest capability in every location. Before you even depart, begin praying for each city you will visit and for each person, you will encounter on your trip. Pray for the local residents who do not yet know Jesus, that their hearts would be open to hearing the Good News of Christ and that your interaction with each person would be a testament to God’s work in your own life. Hold yourself to a high standard in regard to habits, conduct, and moral activity so that you present yourself as a clear example of all the ways that Jesus can change a single life.

Be practical in your packing. Limit your luggage and take only lightweight items. Traveling is best experienced if you pack light. Do not pack more than a medium-sized suitcase and a backpack or small duffle bag, and leave yourself some room for souvenirs and gifts. Consider this when packing: how much would you like to carry up a flight of stairs? Pack comfortable, lightweight clothes that can be worn in layers, and bring comfortable shoes for lots of walking! Unless you are spending all of your time at a beach, flip-flops and sandals are not recommended. You will also want to keep your ID and cash or debit cards with you at all times. Invest in a small travel pouch that can be worn beneath your clothes as an added measure of protection while you are traveling. If your group will be traveling by airplane, read about the current security procedures and restrictions at www.tsa.gov. And be sure to check our website for Packing Lists customized for your destination. Your group leader will also have any additional information that you might need to know before you depart.

Check the weather just before you leave so you can be fully prepared. The last thing you want on your trip is to be caught in the rain or excessive heat without the proper clothing to endure it. During the days preceding your departure check an online weather site for the forecast of your destination city. Be sure to look at all of the days you’ll be traveling. It’s never a bad idea to pack a lightweight jacket with a hood or to bring a small umbrella that can be stored away with little bulk. Preparing to dress in layers is also helpful when you might encounter changes in climate during the course of a week or even one day! Visiting a website like Weather.com can help you prepare for travel to any destination in the world.

Don’t carry too much cash. Debit cards are the best choice for safety, and they offer the best exchange rates for international trips. Carrying cash is simply risky, despite taking all possible security precautions. We recommend that you carry only a small amount of cash and use a debit card for most of your purchases. Should you need cash while traveling, ATMs are the most convenient way to obtain it since they accept a wide number of bank and credit cards, and they can be found in almost all major cities around the world. We do not recommend traveler’s checks or prepaid debit/gift cards. Some bank “gift” cards may not work in some locations, particularly internationally, although many banks will assure you that the cards will work fine. To be on the safe side, we recommend that students travel with an actual debit card associated with a checking account (not a savings account). Be sure to contact your bank prior to departure to notify them of your destinations, travel dates, and specific locations. If you are traveling abroad, also ask if there is an international withdrawal limit. For instance, your bank could limit you to $100 per day, which may only be around 70 Euros, and if you attempt to withdraw more the account will be frozen and funds will be inaccessible until you contact the financial institution. Make sure that your particular Debit/Credit cards are also accepted in your destinations. Students have discovered that Visa may NOT be everywhere you want it to be. Taking as many precautions as necessary before your trip will limit the problems that could arise with spending money for souvenirs and gift items.

Before you depart, be sure to check your online account for any additional information you might need to know. Upon registration, each JE traveler is assigned a unique User ID and passcode to access an individual account on our website. This account includes information about some of the sights you’ll be seeing, the ministry in which you will serve, as well as tour details you should know before departure. Your online account is the central hub of information for your group’s specific tour. Take some time to download travel documents that will assist in your preparation, and check back often for updates to your itinerary and travel schedule. You can access your online account by clicking  My Trip within the Travel Lounge of the Joshua Expeditions website.

Putting in the preparation beforehand can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your tour. A little extra effort now will save headaches later on, and Joshua Expeditions is ready to help you in any way we can. Feel free to contact your trip coordinator with any questions you may have, and take some time to do a little research into your destination by searching online articles, reading travel guides, and renting movies that were filmed in the same cities. Learning a little about your destination will help you become excited about all that you will see and experience. Remember, the expedition you are taking is an adventure of a lifetime!