Traveling post-Covid is about looking to the future. 2020 was a bad year for millions of people—that simply can’t be overstated; and even though last year continues to shrink in our collective rearview mirror, its effects will surely be felt for years to come. Now, as we continue to move forward with a realistic end to the Covid pandemic in sight, it’s starting to feel easier to hope and plan for the future. Whether Covid prevented you from going abroad for the first time, or prematurely put an end to your time abroad, it’s finally time to start seriously thinking about getting out and seeing the world once again! Traveling “post-Covid” means being prepared So, when planning your future travels in this post-Covid world, what’s the first thing you’ll need? Resources. Resources to help you plan, learn, and prepare for the changes the travelsphere has undergone over the past year. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in the pages of this eBook. We hope you find what you need to make your travel dreams finally feel realistic again.
Should you go abroad right now?
The global pandemic has changed the world and things are much different than they were even a year ago. We’ve all been sitting at home, quarantined, or in lockdown, and the restlessness is getting to us. GoAbroad.com | 4 Many of us crave to leave our homes and travel once more. But is it responsible to travel right now? Even if we are on meaningful travel experiences like study abroad, volunteer abroad, or more, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are traveling responsibly during these times. The biggest question on our minds is should I travel internationally right now? There are lots of ways to look at it, and it’s important to make an informed decision before jumping right in. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the world of travel is not the same as it used to be, and many things have changed.
Can I travel internationally right now?
Unfortunately, we can’t answer this question for you. It all depends on how comfortable you are with the risks—both for you and for others—and extra challenges the world faces right now. If you are okay with it, yes, you can travel internationally right now; however, it’s going to be a lot more complicated and restricted than it used to be. Gone are the days of showing up somewhere having done little research because everywhere has its own rules and restrictions regarding travel and COVID-19 prevention. If you want to try to go abroad, it’s important to figure out where you can go, because, depending on your nationality, some countries may be open to you and others might not be.
11 pros and cons of traveling abroad right now
Pro: There are fewer tourists right now With much of the world on lockdown, some borders closed to some nationalities, and reduced movement, there are hardly any tourists where there are usually hundreds or thousands. You’ll be able to visit a place like Venice and see it in a unique light all to yourself, instead of standing in a huge crowd. Not only will you be able to take better pictures, but it will be much easier to social distance! Due in part to the lack of tourism, and also for the safety of employees, many typical attractions might be closed to the public in your destination. Although you might not be able to visit the art museum you’ve been longing to go to for years, you might find something more unique to visit in your research.
Con: You may have to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival or face a nation-wide lockdown It’s important to stay up to date with all the regulations in your host country, even after you have arrived. It’s smart to plan for a quarantine period at the beginning of your program when you first arrive, which can seem like a pain because you just arrived and want to explore and get settled, but you aren’t able to. Because of the situation, your host city or country might go back into a strict lockdown, so make sure you are prepared in case this happens.
Deciding to travel internationally right now requires a lot of thought
There are more factors to consider when deciding to go abroad right now, beyond the normal factors like location, program, and cost. It’s important that you make an informed decision by thoroughly researching the current situation of your intended host country, what support your program provider offers, travel restrictions and requirements, and your own health.
Although it’s possible to travel internationally, you can’t expect the experience to be the same as it used to be. If you do decide to travel abroad right now, you need to respect and follow the rules and regulations of your host country.
Even if you decide that it’s better for you to stay at home, you don’t have to give up your dreams of gaining international experience! Many program providers are offering virtual programs, internships, and volunteer opportunities, so you can still learn more about the world.