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Timeline

To get a better overview about the time frame I've listed here the most important things you need to do before you can leave your home.

6-12 months before depature

  • Decide for yourself wheter you want to live your dream or dream your life

  • Decide what you want to experience/see on your trip - Do you want to do some volunteering, work during your travel or only travel? Do you need some start-up support from an organization?

  • Decide how long you want to travel

  • Set a rough travel route (with your travel buddy or by your own) 

  • Start saving money! 

6 months before departure

  • You should know now your "must-travel destinations"

  • You should have decided now what you want to focus on - volunteering or work & travel?

  • Talk to several organizations and book your first trip 

  • Set your first travel destination and look for flights / accomodations

  • Decide what you want to do with your apartment / car / job 

  • If you plan on doing a sabbatical inform your job as soon as possible

4 months before depature

  • Get the necessary vaccinations (if your family doctor does not have the necessary knowledge, you can visit a tropical institute)

  • Quit your apartment or look for a subtentant (ask your friends or students are always thankful)

  • Inform your job about your plans and if necessary quit it

  • After quitting your job immediately inform the labour agency 

  • Check all your contracts & insurances (wheter you need them still or can terminate them)

3 months before depature

  • Sell your car or deregister it (for that you need a place to leave it)

  • Arrange some last appointments for medical check-ups

  • Start seperating you from things in your housing you won't need anymore (sell your stuff at a fear market)

  • Check the validity of your passport / number of empty sites and ID

  • Check if you have an international vaccination card 

  • If not done yet, book your first flight and accomodation!

  • Looking & applying for visa if necessary

2 months before departure

  • Get your overseas health insurance 

  • Check your finances - inform your bank

  • Apply for different credit cards

  • Check the validity of your bank cards

  • Set up a seperate travel bank account

  • Check your online banking (TAN method should be executed by an app)

  • If possible set up an authority for your bank account (family member)

  • Check your standing orders and set up a new one if necessary

  • Get your backpacking equipement! 

4 weeks before departure

  • Get a new prepaid card for your phone with good conditions for messaging and calling from Germany to third countries and vise versa

  • Get biometric photos for your ID's and driver licenses 

  • Get passport photos for your application (if you plan working somewhere)

  • Get your international driver license

  • Get a clearance certificate

  • Change your postal address if necessary 

  • Move your stuff from your current home to your parents /friends home or garage (wherever you decided to store it during your journey)

  • Get yourself some cash in foreign notes of your first country (Dollars & Euro are accepted mostly everywhere) It makes more sense to get the foreign notes in the country though

  • Make your last purchases such as missing clothing, travel pharmacy, laptop/iPad or a camera

  • Check all your insurances and contracts again if there is anything missing you need to overwrite or terminate

  • Plan your farewell party!

7 days before departure

  • Make hard copies of all your important documents as well as saving them digital e.g. passport, ID, bank cards, vaccination card

  • If your start your journey by car get the necessary vignette

  • Unsubscribe any abos 

  • Check your documents (flight,-bus,-train-tickets)

  • Download travel apps

  • Arrange your music app (new playlists etc.)

  • Make sure you have enough space on your phone for pictures etc.

  • Repack your backpack a few times until you are totally satisfied (you all know in your case, less is more!)

  • Get yourself a travel diary, where you can note all important memories down, including pictures - perfect retreat to handle all your impressions!

  • Note down emergency numbers / important numbers of your close ones

  • Check everything for apartment handing if necessary 

  • Enjoy the last days with your close ones 

  • Enjoy your favorite meals (maybe your family will prepare it for you)

  • Treat yourself and looking forward to the departure day!

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The evening before departure

  • Online check-in (check your flight status) if necessary

  • Pack your backpack a last time!

  • Empty your fridge 

  • Charging your phone / camera / power bank / headphones

  • Be excited and happy!

Finally . . . the day of departure!

  • Get up by time in order not to forget something or miss your plane etc.!

  • Make a last check if you got everything!

  • Switch the lights off, close the door and get in the car! (Definitely, there will be friends and family who will bring you to the airport, train station etc.)

  • Tearful goodbye & joyful anticipation!

Of course, it can all be planned in a shorter time as well, but this is the recommended timeframe if you don't want to have stress. For me, it was perfect, because I like to start planning in time in order to avoid stress and not to forget anything. 

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If you want to start planning right now I can send you the pdf version (in German) I've prepared for my subscribers.

Thanks for submitting!

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About Me

I grew up in a small village in Germany and went the "normal, given" way, as I went to school, graduated my Abitur (general university entrance certificate), had a few part-time jobs, finished my apprenticeship in wholesale and foreign trade and gained some working experience in this field. By now, I'm living in my own flat, have my own car, travelled to a few places - actually a pretty nice and wealthy german standardized life.

However, there is no 100% fulfillment and I wondered if this is it what life has prepared for me?! 

I've always had that deep desire to go abroad and see the world. So, I decided to leave every prosperity I had, family and friends behind and realize my plans - exploring the world by my own!

 

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You need individual advice from your travel guide?

Do not hesitate to contact me!

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