Planning Your DeMaso

FellowshipTips and Hints

Big IdeasTake advantage of every opportunity.

Be creative and think outside of the box.

What are you interested in? Where have you always wanted to go?

Don’t limit your expectations.

Be open to things just happening.

Do you have a big idea/theme?

Don’t pass up opportunities that are “on the way.”

Little IdeasMake personal, human connections with people.

Go to small towns.

Look into homestays as opposed to hotels/hostels.

Find ways to become more than a tourist.

Connecting to CurriculumDecide when you will be teaching abroad and how that determines the locations you choose.

Where will you be in your curriculum at about this time?

What online resources will you be utilizing?

How often will you be teaching your students?

Try to set your students up so you are their virtual traveller. What prior knowledge will they need in order to have super engaging conversations about your experiences?

Your absence from the classroom will make your planning different.

Planning Your TripLOTS of research. Your findings will often drive the calendar.

Your travel planning is very important. Don’t cut corners here.

Make a binder with a section for each location. Include all the info you think you’ll need.

Find a single (or a couple) website you like and use it for all your planning.

It’s ok to plan downtime.

Take advantage of day tours, especially early in the trip.

Being a part of an organized tour can often be a nice respite.

Planning Your TripTechnology costs. What technology will you need?

Include money to purchase things for your classroom/students, and to ship it home if needed.

If there are really important things you want to do/see start planning very early.

How do you plan to connect back with the Battle Creek community?

LodgingWhat do you want/not want?Chain vs. not chain, hotel vs. hostel, hotel vs. homestay

Read the reviews of past people who stayed there.

Have the phone number and address to your place of lodging.

Is it walking distance to much of what you plan to do or close to public transit?

How close is it to the train station/airport based on your plans?

www.venere.com and www.homestay.com were great.

TransportationTrains Were very easy in Europe, but less so outside of Europe. Buy ahead of time if possible - pass or individual tickets.

PlanesUsually the airport is well outside the city and will require a train/taxi ride. Have this planned.Allow ample time for customs, etc. Don’t plan much other than just travel.Check out limitations of airports if you have time.

AutomobilesDay Tours/Private Drivers: Often these will get you places you want to go much more quickly and without hassle.

Random Stuff Be aware of passport, visa, and immunization requirements. These can take months to get.

Make sure you have a card that doesn’t charge an international transaction fee.

Not all currencies are transferable. Airports give terrible exchange rates.

Scams. Just be aware.

Journal so you don’t forget stuff.

Try to pack light, but don’t be afraid to leave things you won’t need anymore.

Balance taking expensive things and taking something that you won’t be upset about being broken.