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Lessons learnt

  1. before departure learn the required procedure you have to carry out once arrived.
  2. If a procedure exists and no other easier alternative is foreseen, then the procedure should be followed. Any shortcut, even though potentially successful, is prone to risks; if something goes wrong, it may subvert all the plans you’ve done, starting from your preventive budget. 
  3. You are always responsible for your choices: therefore, you should know their consequences and be ready to face them.
  4. It is wise to always have a rescue plan for the worst situations, such as having enough budget available in case of unforeseen troubles.
  5. It is wise to diversify your financial resources while abroad, for example having a good amount of cash and more than one credit card.
  6. Having local contacts or points of reference may be crucial. Be sure to have the phone numbers of the people you will stay with. Be sure to have the phone numbers of your Embassy of reference. Be sure your mobile phone works in the Host Country. If there is the possibility to contact the local communities of your Home Country in your Host Country, it may be a good idea to contact them beforehand, or to be aware of their existence, in order to have a network of contacts in case of need.