Make sure you have your passport and necessary visas. If you don’t have a passport already, make sure you apply for one 2-3 months in advance of your trip. Waiting for a visa can take up to a month in itself, so get your application in early.

Get the necessary vaccinations, and make sure you are updated on other shots, like tetanus. You can find information about country-specific vaccinations from your physician.

Have a friendly neighbor collect your mail or arrange for your local post office to hold your deliveries for the duration of your stay.

Depending upon the duration of your stay, you may want to pay your bills in advance, or set up internet accounts so that you can pay from your checking account remotely.

Give someone close to you a color photocopy of your passport and visas. If something happens to your passport (or you), it’s good for someone at home to have all of your identifying information.

Give contact information to appropriate parties. Let others know what email address they can reach you at, what hotels you may be staying in, and the duration of your stay in each location.

If you rent, let your landlord know how long you will be gone.

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