Know the 5 important tips to succeed and enjoy the journey if you are planning to study abroad.

Are you planning to study abroad? More and more students are going abroad to study these days.

Studying abroad can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for many this opportunity comes struggle of living a life away from our homeland, a place not familiar to them.

Prodigy Finance, financial partners for students seeking to study abroad, has shared 5 tips that can aid students in settling and enjoying their study abroad program.

Embrace cultural immersion:

It is always a good idea to begin learning about the cultures and values of the country you are in because doing so will not only improve your lifestyle there but will also make it easier for you to get along with the locals. To learn more about the country you are in, you can attend cultural events, and local festivals, be friendly with your peers, hop in local cuisine, get familiar with their local gourmet and delicacies, and visit historical sites.

Learn the language:

Learning the language of the country you’re visiting or practicing their accent will not only be great fun to begin with but will also allow you to become more acquainted with the locals. It’s okay not to be fluent, but trying to acquire a new accent or learn a new language will only benefit you later in life.

Build a diverse network:

While only studying can bore you and limit your contact with your peers, try to build relationships with people both inside and outside of your University. You can do this by participating in college events, getting to know students from other Universities, joining clubs, and attending community events. These experiences will not only leave you with beautiful memories to look back on in the future, but they will also help you build a solid rapport with your friends, and who knows, these friends may later in life turn out to be one of the most influential people who can help or guide you to shape your future.

Travel and explore:

Traveling is a great way to get away from day-to-day life especially when you are a student and far away from home; only studying can become tedious, whereas planning a short trip to your neighboring region will allow you to discover new places, meet new people and learn different customs, the best part is that you can use your student discount travel program to make your trip more affordable. College life never comes back more than the academic journey; these experiences will shape your core beliefs and allow you to see the world in a new way, making you a better person and knowledgeable with beautiful memories to look back on.

The art of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and balance:

While staying in a different country far from your home where homemade food is challenging to find and lifestyle changes are possible, find a healthy diet that suits your body and take the weekend off, place self-care first. Getting enough sleep each night, going for a walk in the park, or joining a gym or fitness club will not only help you stay physically fit but will also leave you feeling calm and relaxed. Putting these things into practice will keep you healthy and make your study abroad experience more fulfilling, even though they may seem very trivial. Studying abroad is a lifetime experience. Make the most of it. Doing so will not only expand your academic skills but also shape your future. Don’t forget that it’s not only about the destination; it’s also about the journey and the experiences that shape you along the way.

Essential tips to remember and practice for an enjoyable travel experience with children.

We understand that traveling with children can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up on traveling altogether. If you want to enjoy your trips with kids, there are some helpful tips to keep in mind. By following these suggestions, you can ensure your children are happy during the journey while enjoying the trip yourself. Let’s explore these tips that can make your experience as a parent much easier.

Traveling by flight:

Before booking tickets, always check the policies of the airline. Each airline has its own rules regarding traveling with infants. Opt for parent-friendly airlines that offer additional benefits, such as front seats with more legroom and in-flight bassinets or baby carriers. These amenities can make the journey more comfortable for both you and your baby.

Preparing your baby:

When traveling within the country, there’s not much preparation required for your baby. However, for international travel, you may need to adjust your baby’s sleeping and eating routine to match the time zone of your destination. Start making these adjustments a few days before your departure to minimize jet lag and maintain a consistent feeding schedule.

Traveling by car:

Ensure your child’s safety by using a car seat until they are at least four years old. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends seating children in the back seat of a car until the age of two. Additionally, plan road trips during favorable weather conditions. Traveling in extreme heat can be uncomfortable, even with air conditioning, while driving in rainy or snowy conditions can be hazardous.

Traveling by train:

Trains have limited luggage space, so pack only the essentials. If the train has chairs instead of sleeper berths, consider bringing a car seat. However, check with the train operator if the car seat is compatible with the train seat. If not, ensure the child is seated properly on your lap. If you’re traveling in a coach with sleeper berths, position the child to face the wall of the berth for added safety.

Remember, with a little planning and these tips in mind, traveling with kids can be enjoyable and hassle-free.

Here are essential photography tips for beginners to capture amazing travel photos and preserve your travel memories like a pro.

Travel is not just about discovering new places; it’s also about capturing the beauty of those places through photography. Whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR, here is a comprehensive guide for beginners to help them take great travel photos that capture the essence of their trip.

How to capture amazing travel photos

Plan ahead:

Research your destination to understand its monuments, culture and best photo spots. Make a list of places you want to photograph.

Understand your device:

Learn the basics of your camera or smartphone. Experiment with settings like exposure, focus, and white balance before your trip.

Pack wisely:

Bring the essentials: spare batteries, memory cards, and a sturdy tripod. Lightweight tripods are invaluable for taking steady shots, especially in low light.

Golden hour magic:

Take photos during the “golden hour”—just after sunrise and before sunset—when the soft, warm light will bring out your shots.

Photograph creatively:

Use the rule of thirds to create a balanced composition. Experiment with angles, lines, and frames to add depth to your images.

Record local life:

Authentic photos of the daily lives of locals will add authenticity to your travel scrapbook.

Focus on the details:

Don’t forget to capture the intricate details: textures, patterns and close-ups convey the essence of the place.

Play with light:

Experiment with backlighting, shadows, and shadows for dramatic effects.

Using HDR mode:

High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode captures details in both shadows and highlights, especially in difficult lighting conditions.

Thoughtful editing:

Post-processing can improve your photos. Experiment with apps or software to adjust exposure, colour balance, and cropping.

Tell a story:

Arrange your photos in a sequence that tells about your travel experience. Captions can provide context and emotion.

Respect culture:

Be aware of local customs and rules. Always do your due diligence before photographing people, especially in sensitive areas.

Please be patient:

Good photos may not happen instantly. Take your time, observe and wait for the right moment.

Experiment with views:

Try different angles, such as shooting from the ground or above, to add variety to your photos.

Practice minimalism:

Sometimes less is less. Focus on a single subject to create impactful images.

Remember, travel photography is about capturing memories, emotions and experiences. Don’t get too hung up on technical issues; Instead, let your creativity run free. With practice, you’ll not only take great photos but also create a visual diary of your adventures.

So, the next time you travel, take these tips with you and let travel photos tell your unique story. Good shot.

Below you can find some of the unique culture and tradition

1. Bowing Etiquette

Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, which is pounded into children head, the moment they enter the school. Bowing is also one of the Japanese business etiquettes which you can see in any office here. Both, the duration and the inclination of the bow are proportionate to the elevation of the person you are addressing. For example, a friend might get a lightning fast 30 degrees bow and an office superior might get a slow, extended 70-degree bow. It is all about position and circumstances.

2. Table Manners : Traditional way of dining

You would receive a small wet cloth at most Japanese restaurants. Use this to wash your hands before eating, then carefully fold it and set aside on the table. Do not use as a naptin or to touch any part of your face.

3. No tipping in Japan

in Japan, there no tipping practice, be it cabs, restaurants, personal care. To tip someone is actually a little insulting, the services you have asked for are covered by the price given, hence pay more?

If you are in large area such as Tokyo and cannot speak Japanese, a waiter or waitress might take the extra money you happen to leave rather than force themselves to deal with the awkward situation of explaining the concept of no tipping in broken English.

4. Chopstick

You might be required to use chopsticks, If for some reason you are not too adept with chopsticks, you better learn this skill, it is not hard.

5. Thresholds

You must take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes and most businesses and hotels. Usually, a rack will be provided to store your shoes and the pair of guest slippers will be sitting nearby, many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in case though.

You must be careful to remove the toilet slippers waiting for you in the bathroom. You must re-enter the main room of the house wearing the slippers, which have been running across the dirty linoleum.

6. Masks

Sterlized masks, like the ones you would see in the emergency room are commonly used by the salarymen, office ladies and municipal workers to protect other people from their germs. The reason could be anything from a slight cold to simply being about exposing other people, do not let it concern you on your Japan shore excursions.

7. Bathing in Japan

Public bathhouses are alive and well in Japan, sento or neighborhood bathhouses can be found from largest area in Shinjuku to a small town on the island of Shikoku. Onsen or hot springs are very popular as weekend excursion resorts. Unlike in western cultures, the Japanese bath is sued after you have washed and rinsed and feel like soaking in extra hot water for 10.,20, 30 , minutes. It an acquired taste to be sure, but can be very relaxing.

If you happen to be invited into a Japanese household, you would given the honor of using the bath first, usually before dinner. Be extra careful as to not to dirty the water in any way. Take time to visit Sento, if you have the opportunity. These are places without bariers, without regard to skin colour, age or language, they are separated by gender with the exception of some mixed bathing areas. Lying in the hot water and slowly listening to the heart beat slow down is a time when you would attuned to Japanese culture.

8. Safety in Japan

Almost all Japanese individuals whom you are close would be warning to be safe while travelling, to take care of your belonging. Similarly, nothing can go wrong, in Japan, this is what foreigners tend to say. This may be based on individual experience, there are other issues. The fear of crime in Japan is high, especially among Japanese citizens. Murders tend to happens, yes, murders tend to happen. People are attacked, robbed, assaulted, raped, beaten and swindled.

Japan’s low crime rate is evident, when you see businessmen who have missed the train sleeping outside on a park bench, or a group of 5-year-old boys walking by themselves for over a kilometer to make the starting bell at the school.