Getting Ready To Travel

Traveling across the world takes time and planning. There are a few things you must have in order to visit another country:

A United States passport allows Americans to safely leave and reenter the United States. A passport is a small book with many pages. Each time you visit a country, a page is stamped by the agents of that country. You can see that an American passport has the seal of the United States on the cover. You may apply for a passport at the post office. You will need to take your birth certificate, some photographs of yourself, and your passport fee. A passport costs about $100.00 and can be used for ten years. The postmaster will ask you to fill out some paperwork while you are there. In a month or two, your passport will arrive in the mail. It is very important to keep up with your passport when you travel.

A visa is a certificate from a foreign country that gives you permission to enter that country. There are different kinds of visas. Student visas allow people to come into a country to attend schools. Work visas allow people to come into a country to perform special jobs. Tourist visas allow people to come as visitors for short periods of time. I have an academic visa, because I am going to China as a teacher, with the purpose of learning more about Chinese history and culture.

Travel Plans are an important part of any trip. Once a traveler has decided where to go, he must make airplane reservations and hotel reservations. Most travelers also plan activities, decide what they would like to see, and figure out how long to stay in each part of the country they visit. Because I am going as a guest of the Chinese government, my travel plans, or my agenda, have already been decided for me.

Research A good traveler always takes the time to find out about the special requirements of the country she plans to visit. I used the Internet to learn about the weather in China so that I would know what kind of clothing to pack. I learned that I was only allowed to take one suitcase to China, and that my packed suitcase could not weigh more than 40 pounds. I found out how to exchange American dollars for Chinese currency. I also learned that I needed to bring some special electrical outlets to China so that I would be able to plug in and use my computer, iPod, and hairdryer. I also learned that it is the custom to give gifts to hosts, teachers, and friends in China. I am making some special photo books filled with pictures of our school and our beautiful beaches, bays, farms, and forests to share with my new Chinese friends. I am wrapping them in red paper. In China, gifts are always wrapped in red paper. I learned that through my research, too!

To do some of your own research on China, check out this web link:

http://kidsculturecenter.com/china/china.htm