By Onyiyechi Roseline Agwu
Hello! This post is for those who are planning to travel to another country or are in a foreign country. I will share with you some cool ideas which I should have done earlier if I had known.
These ideas may not apply to everyone, however pick the one that suits you and if you are hoping and dreaming to travel, keep these ideas in your bucket list. You never know when you will get the chance.
I wished I had thought of some of these earlier but it has afforded me the opportunity to share with you without pay. Enjoy (insert a smiling emoji)
It does not matter if you are travelling to another African country or another continent, most of these ideas apply to any country. However, they fit those who are staying temporarily and may not get the chance to return. Therefore, these ideas are based on “Do what you can while you have the opportunity”
IDEAS
- If you are an artist, check out art galleries and start making art. Even if you are staying for a long period of time, create a healthy base before you leave. Meet other artists and get accustomed to the art community on time. This is a great opportunity to have a unique experience. Use it well. I wish I had discovered this on time, I would have maybe had some of my artworks in galleries. If you are fortunate, you can make some good cash too.
- Be a food tester. Be a restaurant reviewer. You can give reviews on different restaurants either by starting a blog, a YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook and any other social media platform. Your review will help other foreigners to avoid the stress of choosing the right place to visit for a meal. This will certainly cost you some money but if you enjoy it and can manage to afford it, it can be a nice way to earn money if your reviews become sought after.
- Review the fashion of the place you are in. This will need you to be accustomed to the local and expensive stores. Similar to the restaurants, your review will help others and also give you a platform.
- Explore the culture of where you are and document it. Participate as much as you can and don’t forget to take images too.
- If you are in a non-English speaking country, you can earn some money by teaching basic English. This is one aspect I discovered very late and if I had discovered it earlier, I may have been able to make some earnings from it. You mainly need to know English to a good extent but you may not need to be a professional. However if your English is professional, you have higher and better chances of earning more.
- Build connections. I struggled with this but it is a great advantage to your brand (that is if you have one or you are planning to have one). This will help after you leave the place. Since there are social media platforms, you can get a shout-out from a foreign friend who will be a good source of promotion for your brand.
- Visit historical sites and museums. I discovered this late as well and was able to only make patches. Importantly, do not forget to take pictures.
- Have good fun. Fun may mean different things to different people but it is enjoying a place for what it is. For me I tried to enjoy the people I met, had meaningful conversations and enjoyed the pleasant moments I had with them. For me it was fun and I treasure the memories.
- If you are in the country for the purpose of education or on a work permit, be purposeful with your time and complete it.
- Do not get deported for commiting a crime (this is a cool idea too). Stay and remain legal until you leave.
I suspect I missed some points but the ones I have written are good enough.
I was able to make good use of my stay in the country I visited and stayed in for some years. I am in the process of compiling the experience in a unique format. I am grateful for the opportunity to share in a unique environment and culture and the many things I learnt. I am grateful for the people I met and the opportunity to share with them.
I have some minor regrets but I will not allow it to rob me of the beautiful moments I had.
If you are planning to stay permanently in the place you have travelled to, some of these ideas may still be helpful too.
What are your thoughts on this post? Kindly share in the comment section below!
