Experience countries, cultures and friendship abroad

What is dating abroad like?

• Dating abroad means making romantic or social connections with people while living in a different culture and environment.
• It can be a lot of fun, but also tough at the same time.
• Especially during a long trip, dating abroad can be a way to find a partner, but also to simply make nice, deep connections.
• Dating is sometimes easier than making friends, and sometimes dates lead to great friendships.
• Also, dating abroad is not only about romance, but also about getting to know yourself in relation to others.
• It is a way to practice dealing with differences in values ​​and communication.
• The entire process can bring many benefits, but it also regularly comes with significant challenges. Connecting, letting go and sometimes starting over are not uncommon.

Dates come in all shapes and sizes:

• A spontaneous meeting while traveling.
• Getting to know someone through work, study or volunteer work.
• Dating via apps.
• Short, intense connections.
• Or longer relationships that arise during your stay.

What makes dating abroad different:

• Cultural differences play a major role (flirting, communication, expectations, public affection).
• Relationships can become intense more quickly due to the temporary context.
• You are often outside your comfort zone, with a small or no social network.
• Language can be a barrier (or a connecting factor).
• Expectations may differ (casual versus serious).

In practice, you notice when dating abroad, for example:

• that dating norms vary greatly from country to country: direct versus be subtle, for example the Dutch and Japanese who have completely different ways of communicating.
• that some cultures are more focused on relationships, others on casual contact.
• that you are more open to new people because you are also “new” yourself, but therefore you can also jump into something more quickly.
• that saying goodbye is more often part of the process.
• that it can be difficult to make plans for the future.

What are the reasons for dating abroad?

• To get to know yourself better in relation to others: you discover what you find important and where your boundaries lie.
• To strengthen your communication skills: you learn to deal with language differences and cultural nuances.
• To increase your empathy: you learn to understand other perspectives, norms and values.
• To increase your self-confidence: you approach people and make new connections.
• To broaden your worldview: relationships provide a unique insight into a culture from within.

What skills and motivations do you need for dating abroad?

• Authenticity: being able to stay close to yourself, even in a new and sometimes confusing context.
• Making judgments: making conscious choices about what suits you and what does not.
• Empathy: trying to really understand the other person and cultural differences is extremely important.
• Self-confidence: opening yourself up and meeting new people is not easy and takes quite a bit of courage!
• Flexibility: during a relationship abroad, almost nothing goes as you are used to. Dealing with unexpected situations, differences and changing expectations is an art in itself.

What are the best countries and locations for dating abroad?

• Open and international dating culture, often more direct, more equal and more accessible.: Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Canada.
• Passionate and social cultures, with more expression, social contact and spontaneous encounters.: Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico.
• More traditional dating culture, with more emphasis on roles, expectations and sometimes families: Japan, South Korea, India, Morocco.
• Backpacking and travel destinations, with many international travelers and temporary connections.: Thailand, Indonesia, Portugal, Colombia.

What are the risks of dating abroad?

What are the risks of dating abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that expectations of dating don't match (e.g. casual versus serious), which can lead to disappointment, confusion and heartbreak.
• that miscommunication arises from language barriers or cultural differences in flirting, boundaries and intentions.
• that you make yourself vulnerable in an unknown environment, which creates a risk of emotional or physical insecurity.
• that you experience intense connections more quickly that also end quickly, which can have an emotional impact.
• that your boundaries fade because you are in a “travel bubble” and are less critical than at home.
• that you will be confronted with fraud, abuse or dishonest intentions (for example financial or visa-related).
• that differences in norms surrounding relationships, gender roles or sexuality lead to difficult situations.
• that sexual health entails risks (STDs, limited access to care or protection).
• that you become dependent on someone in a strange environment, which can affect your autonomy.
• that in case of problems (conflict, safety) help and support can be harder to find.

Are you insured while going on dates abroad?

• During activities and dates abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.

What is filming and photographing abroad like?

• Filming and photographing abroad usually means capturing images of your surroundings, experiences, and encounters during your trip or stay.
• This can be done in various ways. Sometimes you simply take photos or videos to capture memories, but it can also be more goal-oriented, such as storytelling, documenting projects, creating content, or even professional work.
• Professional work often involves journalism, sports photography, or nature reportages.
• What makes it different from home is that you are working in a new and often unpredictable context. The light is different, the environment is unfamiliar, and situations arise spontaneously. As a result, you often look more consciously and think more about what you are capturing and why.

In practice, you will notice, for example, that:

• you pay more attention to details and small moments.
• you look at people, culture, and the environment differently.
• you have to improvise due to light, weather, or unexpected situations.
• you make contact with others more easily (but sometimes also more difficultly) through your camera.

For example, you will notice that:

• in some countries (such as Japan), photographing people in a recognizable way without permission is not always appreciated.
• photography at religious sites or ceremonies is sometimes not allowed.
• government buildings, police, or military locations often cannot be photographed.
• people in some cultures actually enjoy having their picture taken, while in other situations it is perceived as intrusive.

Therefore, making films of photos abroad requires not only technical skills but also awareness and respect. It helps to:

• always observe first before you photograph.
• ask for permission where possible.
• take body language and reactions into account.
• respect a “no” without discussion.

What are the reasons for filming and photographing abroad?

• To learn to look more consciously and strengthen your observational skills: you learn to see details that you might otherwise miss.
• To develop your creativity and express yourself visually: you experiment with imagery, composition, and narrative.
• To share experiences and convey stories: images help you take others along in your perspective.
• To be more involved with your surroundings: you look more actively and pay more attention to what is happening around you.
• To develop your own style and choices with more confidence: you learn to make decisions and stand behind your work.

What skills and motivations do you need for filming and photography abroad?

• Creativity: you can play with perspective, light, and storytelling.
• Being aware of your surroundings: you understand where you are and what is appropriate to capture and learning what is the best way to do it. 
• Empathy: you respect people and situations and sense what is and isn't possible.
• Flexibility: you adapt to changing circumstances such as light, weather, or schedule.
• Act professionally: you handle people, permission, and your equipment with care.

What are the best countries and locations for filming and photographing abroad?

• Nature and landscapes: Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Canada, Nepal.
• Culture and street life: India, Morocco, Vietnam, Mexico.
• Cities and architecture: Japan, Italy, United States, Germany.
• Wildlife and nature projects: South Africa, Kenya, Costa Rica, Indonesia.

What are the risks of filming and photographing abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of filming and photographing abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you capture people or situations without permission, which can lead to uncomfortable or unsafe situations.
• that you violate cultural norms because you do not know what may and may not be photographed.
• that your equipment gets stolen or damaged, especially in busy or tourist areas.
• that you are too focused on capturing and less present at the moment itself.
• that you end up in risky situations to take a photo or video (e.g., traffic, nature, or at height).
• that you encounter rules or restrictions regarding filming (e.g., at religious sites or government buildings).
• that you become physically strained due to long days, heat, or carrying equipment.
• that you are dependent on technology (batteries, storage) that may fail.
• that help or support is limited in remote areas in case of problems.

Are you insured while filming and photographing abroad?

• During activities and making films and photos abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.

What is making and listening to music abroad like?

• Music is a wonderful way of discovering new countries, whether by listening, joining in, or even playing yourself.
• A musical experience can arise very spontaneously, for example during an evening in a bar, a street performance, or a jam session.
• A musical experience can also be a conscious part of your experience abroad, for example by learning an instrument or attending live music.
• Music abroad is often different from home. Music plays a different role everywhere. In some countries, it is strongly intertwined with daily life, religion, or traditions, while in others, it is more a form of entertainment.
• It is a wonderful way to connect without speaking the same language.

In practice, you will find, that making music or listening to music for example, that:

• music quickly creates a connection.
• you express yourself differently than with words.
• music is often a social activity.
• moments of music playing often arise spontaneously and unexpectedly.
• you become part of a moment more quickly due to improvisation.
• music is a form of connection, expression, and cultural experience.

What are the reasons for making and listening to music abroad?

• To express yourself creatively and discover new forms of expression.
• To communicate without language and connect with others.
• To immerse yourself in other cultures through music and rhythm. 
• To make new contacts and create together.
• To dare to try new things and challenge yourself.

What skills and motivations do you need to make and listen to music abroad?

• Creativity: you experiment with music and expression.
• Empathizing: you understand the role of music in a culture.
• Self-confidence: you dare to let yourself be heard or seen.
• Collaborating: making music is often creating together.
• Flexibility: you adapt to different styles and situations.

What are the best countries and locations to make and listen to music abroad?

• Rich music cultures: Brazil, Cuba, Senegal, India, Colombia.
• Live music cities: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands.
• Traditional and cultural music experiences: Morocco, Mongolia, Indonesia, Ireland.
• Alternative and creative hubs: Portugal, Mexico City, Cape Town, Melbourne.

What are the risks of making and listening to music abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of making and listening to music abroad, and what occurs with some regularity:

• that you feel uncomfortable expressing yourself in a new environment.
• that you misinterpret cultural meaning.
• that you find yourself in unsafe situations in crowded or nighttime settings.
• that hearing damage occurs due to loud music.
• that instruments get damaged or stolen.
• that you get too little rest due to the rhythm of music and long nights.
• During activities abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.

What is shopping abroad like?

• Everyone is familiar with shopping in their own country. Abroad, however, things can be quite different. Sometimes it involves shopping for things you need but don't know where to find, and sometimes it involves buying items that suit the place you are in, at local markets or in large shopping malls.
• Shopping abroad isn't just about buying something, but also about discovering a culture through local products, materials, and traditions. What people make, sell, and use often says a lot about a country.
• You can wander around markets teeming with life and movement, but also through gigantic shopping centers featuring the most expensive brands. Sometimes you come across unique items that cannot be found anywhere else.

What makes it different from home is that:

• products are different (handmade, local, unknown).
• prices and negotiation sometimes work differently.
• shopping can be more of a social experience than a practical one.
• quality and expectations can differ.

In practice, you notice that:

• shopping becomes a way to connect.
• you learn to look at value and price differently. You have to ask yourself what you really need (and what you don't).
• purchases often become memories.
• Shopping abroad is therefore not just consuming, but an experience of discovery, negotiation, and making (fun) choices.

What are the reasons for shopping abroad?

• To gain more insight into local culture and products: by shopping for products you get a glimpse into what people value in society and what local crafts look like. 
• To be creative and conscious about what you buy: looking at local products can spark creativity in yourself.
• To connect with locals and vendors: especially markets are great places for small talk and to make connections.
• To learn to make better choices regarding value and price: comparing and looking at products helps to understand what price you could or should pay. Both at home as in another country.
• To take initiative and arrange things independently: by shopping, haggling and asking strangers for advice you learn to be more independent. 

What skills and motivations do you need for shopping abroad?

• Forming judgment: you determine what something is worth and whether you really need it.
• Communicating: you negotiate or ask questions about products.
• Awareness of your surroundings: you understand how shopping works in a culture.
• Flexibility: things work differently than you are used to.
• Self-confidence: you dare to make choices and sometimes negotiate.

What are the best countries and locations for shopping abroad?

• Markets and handicrafts: Morocco, India, Indonesia, Turkey.
• Fashion and design: Italy, France, Japan, South Korea.
• Affordable and diverse shopping: Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Portugal.
• Major cities and malls: United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Germany.

What are the risks of shopping abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of shopping abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• buying too much or making impulse purchases you regret later.
• paying too much because you cannot accurately estimate prices.
• dealing with counterfeit or low-quality products.
• being scammed or pressured into buying something. That items get damaged or lost during your trip.
• that cultural misunderstandings arise (e.g. regarding bargaining).
• During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.

What is visiting festivals and events abroad like?

• Visiting festivals and events abroad means that during your trip you participate in special, often temporary moments when people come together to celebrate, experience or commemorate something.
• Events can come in all shapes and forms such as major music festivals or sporting events, local festivals, religious celebrations and small cultural events.
• It is precisely that mix that allows you to experience a country in different ways.
• What makes it different from home is that you are in the middle of a different culture. You don't always immediately understand what is happening or why something is important, and that requires you to watch, participate and learn along the way.

In practice, you notice, for example, that:

• the atmosphere is often more intense and everything feels temporary.
• you connect with other people faster.
• days go differently than you are used to.
• you become part of something bigger than yourself.
• Festivals and events are therefore more than just entertainment. They give you an insight into how people come together, celebrate and give meaning to certain moments, and let you be part of it for a moment.

What are the reasons for visiting festivals and events abroad?

• To become aware of cultural traditions and customs: you experience a country from the inside during important moments.
• To meet new people and connect: festivals are social places where contact is easier.
• To express yourself more freely and gain new experiences: you step out of your daily role and experiment with behavior and expression.
• To become stronger in social and busy situations: you learn to deal with stimuli, crowds and different people.
• To tackle new situations with more self-confidence: you enter unknown settings and learn to find your way in them.

What skills and motivations do you need to visit festivals and events abroad?

• Environmental awareness: you understand where you are, what the atmosphere is and how you behave in it. 
• Flexibility: plans change, situations turn out differently than expected, and you have to be able to move along.
• Empathise: you respect and understand local customs and traditions.
• Self-confidence: you dare to approach people and show yourself. 
• Stress-resistant: you can deal with busyness, fatigue and many stimuli.

What are the best countries and locations to visit festivals and events abroad?

• Major international music festivals, specifics to experience large, international audience and often well organised: Belgium (e.g. Tomorrowland), United States (e.g. Coachella), Hungary (e.g. Sziget), United Kingdom (e.g. Glastonbury).
• Cultural and traditional festivals, specifics to experience strong local and cultural events: India (Diwali), Brazil (Carnival), Spain (La Tomatina, Semana Santa), Mexico (Día de los Muertos).
• Small-scale and local events, specifics to experience more authentic and often less touristy: Portugal, Italy, Indonesia, Morocco.
• Outdoor and alternative festivals, specifics often in nature, with a focus on community and experience: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Iceland.

What are the risks of visiting festivals and events abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of visiting festivals and events abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you become overwhelmed by crowds, noise and stimuli, which can be physically and mentally taxing.
• that you end up in unsafe situations due to alcohol, drug use or large crowds.
• that you lose things or that there is theft in busy environments.
• that your boundaries become blurred by the atmosphere and group dynamics, causing you to make choices that you normally would not make.
• that you will develop health problems due to fatigue, dehydration, heat or poor hygiene.
• that miscommunication occurs due to language barriers or unclear agreements with others.
• that you are dependent on transport or accommodations that quickly fill up or become expensive.
• that you are insufficiently prepared for weather conditions (cold, heat, rain).
• that help or medical care is difficult to access during large or remote events.
• that evacuation or departure is difficult in emergency situations due to crowds or logistical limitations.

Are you insured while visiting festivals and events abroad?

• During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.