Tips when going abroad.... to the UK at least :)

Today I feel soo much better than before! Sleep definitely helped.

Throughout the night, my mind was anxious about writing tips on my blog-- so here I am at 11am in the morning... just so that I'll remember them for the future and I am sure you all would like to hear for your futures of going abroad to the UK!! :)

1) Bring Pepto Bismol

• an upset stomach happens when going to a new place with new foods...or when you are on an uncomfortable plane ride...this will be your best friend in helping you through... haha

2) Lacking Internet Connection? Locate a Starbucks

• when you lack internet connection, starbucks is better than going to an internet cafe. So make sure you have a registered starbucks account to use their free wi-fi services! To register, you have to have those starbucks giftcards loaded with $5 or 5 pounds (here in the UK).
• I think this tip only works when you go to a country with a starbucks though...
• **BEWARE** Free wi-fi will definitely be slower than connection rates at colleges/universities... also it won't be a "secure" connection. So you will run into trouble with logging onto your gmail account. Google and their security settings will prevent you from logging onto your own account.

3) Always exchange money before you leave the airport or the states

• Barclay's is a UK bank that has a sister relationship with Bank Of America. So definitely locate their cash machine before even stepping out of the airport.
• This will prevent you from using your card per transaction and accumulating fees and bad exchange rates. You can simply make one withdrawal from an atm.

4) If you lack internet connection to contact home, get a sim card
I am a big fan of technology in the sense that one will be able to contact home via skype, email, facebook, twitter, etc. BUT this can only happen with an internet connection.

• So what about those times when you forget your user id (which is located in your email) and you don't have an internet connection to find it? You can call home via sim card to ask your family to retrieve your userid.
• The UK has a bunch of sim card deals, so make sure to bring an unlocked international phone to use them.

So far, these tips came from the worst day ever. I know that I should stay positive and will learn to love London... haha I'm already excited to go shopping today! Hopefully I will FINALLY post pictures.

Thank you for reading and I hope those tips will be helpful to you some day. IF you have tips for me, just let me know!! :)

Real-time updates via twitter @ktran13 or email me!

xoxo,
Kristian