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Tips for Traveling Abroad
Traveling abroad can be fun, exciting and educational. The number of U.S. citizens traveling abroad, whether for business or pleasure, is growing each year. If your vacation or job takes you overseas, the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help you travel with confidence:
- Make sure you have a signed, valid passport (and visas, if required). Be sure to fill in the emergency information of your passport.
- Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license, and the credit cards that you plan to carry with you. Leave a copy with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.
- Stay aware of the events in the country you are visiting. The U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings are available for every country. They describe unusual entry or currency regulations, unusual health conditions, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, arm of instability, and drug penalties.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling.
- If you plan to stay for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. This will make it easier if someone at home needs to locate you urgently or in the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated in an emergency.
- In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you are exchanging money or purchasing souvenirs.
- Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas or accept packages from strangers. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry. Do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy.
For more information about vacation tips, visit the BBB's local web site at www.bbbhou.org, or national site at www.bbb.org.
- From the Better Business Bureau
©2006 Texas Medical Center
E-Mail: tmc-info@tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_99/page_15.html
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