Teenagers Travelling Overseas - A Guide for Every Parent and Student

Updated 1 March 2023

Summary

With flights restored and global borders open, more Kiwi kids will be heading overseas for various activities (school, sports, exchanges, cultural trips etc.) without their parents.
Regardless of how organised the planned trip will be, it's common to be unsure how to best prepare your child when travelling overseas.
This guide expains top tips for teenagers (typically at high school) travelling overseas for the first time or as part of a wider group trip, with a focus on outlining the best ways for teens to manage their money and spending while travelling.
Note that this guide has been written with the main reader being the parents of a child about to go overseas given it's likely that parents will be the ones reading and actioning some of the tips and suggestions before their child's departure. However, our guidance is written generally to support other situations too.

To help you understand what's important, our guide covers:
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What should I do to prepare my teenager for travel abroad?

If you're planning your teenager's trip abroad (and you're not going to be going with them), there are many things you should consider when it comes to spending and money. Here are a few of the top tips to help you prepare your teenager for their trip:

First, discuss a rough budget for the trip and each place they visit.

Before planning the trip, sit down with your teenager and discuss the budget. Talk about how much they'll likely need to spend on food, accommodation and discretionary expenses. If they've saved their own money through working jobs on the weekends or through gifts from family, then it's important to let them have the autonomy and freedom to spend that money how they choose (although you can suggest where that money might be best spent). The rough budget you’ll be working on will heavily depend on the type of trip your teenager is going on. For example:

Suppose it's a planned school trip with multiple children and teachers. In that case, there will likely be an upfront paid component (ranging anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars) that includes the cost of the flight, accommodation and joint activities the kids will be doing together.
Suppose it's a shorter sports exchange for a one-off event in one country. In that case, you may need to fully pay for and fund these trips (although some organisations or schools may provide subsidies to assist with the cost of sending these children overseas to compete).
Suppose it's a cultural exchange for a few months. In that case, there will likely be a roughly equal split between paying tuition in the host country and a requirement to fund other activities such as dinners out, additional activities and trips to other regions.

Teach your teenager about currency exchange.

If your teenager travels to a country with a different currency, it's important to teach them how to exchange money. Show them how to use a currency converter (either online or in person at a booth) and explain the concept of exchange rates. Note that this may not be necessary if you're giving your child foreign cash and aren't expecting them to need to convert any foreign currency. However, exchanging currency is an important skill for them to know how to do in case anything happens that requires them to get additional cash in the country they're in.

Additionally, if your teenager has a bank account tied to a debit card, the bank may automatically convert currency when they spend with that card in a foreign country. However, it's important to note that not all stores/shops abroad will take card payments, and you'll likely be paying a foreign currency fee (usually c. 2-2.5%) on each transaction that requires the bank to convert currency. Finally, the foreign currency rates the bank uses will likely not be the best rates you can get compared to others. For more information on the best foreign currency rates when travelling abroad, check out our definitive guide here. In addition, you can check out our calculator here if you're looking for an interactive currency converter.

Encourage your teenager to save money (both before the trip and while they’re abroad).

It can be an incredibly valuable learning opportunity and provide a strong incentive for teenagers to learn good financial habits when they have an upcoming trip abroad. One great way to encourage your teenager to save for their trip is by offering to match their savings "one for one" if they put their money (from part-time work or gifts) into a savings account dedicated to the trip. Practically, this means that for every $1 they put into this savings account, you also add $1 into the fund for them to spend when they go on the trip ultimately. This scheme can help them feel more invested in the trip and give them a sense of ownership over their savings and spending.

If you’re concerned with overspending, consider setting a hard limit on spending.

It's important to set limits on your teenager's spending while they're abroad. Discuss what they're allowed to spend money on, and establish a rough budget to try and stick to. This budget can help prevent them from overspending and getting into financial trouble. In addition, by encouraging them to be mindful of their spending, they'll be able to build strong financial habits that they can take with them into adulthood.

Have a plan in case of emergencies.

Having a plan for emergencies while your teenager is abroad is important. A few scenarios that you should plan for and you should discuss with your teenager include:

Which parent or adult can they go to if they feel unsafe
Which family or friends can they contact or meet up with in the country they're travelling to
What should they do if they lose their wallet or their passport
What should they do if they need to pay for unexpected expenses (like food, equipment or transportation)
What to do if they get lost or separated from the wider travel group
Ensuring they know how to access any emergency funds if they run out of cash
Understanding the bounds of the travel insurance policy and what’s covered when they’re overseas
Knowing the relevant emergency contact details so they can pass those on to the relevant parties if they get into an altercation.

Where can I find resources for my teen when abroad?

Given that you won't be physically there with your teenager travelling abroad, they must know where to find information and resources to help them during their trip. So here are the must-know resources that they need to know how to leverage before flying off:

Google

While it may seem overly simplistic and obvious, Google is one of the best resources for your teenager while travelling abroad. Google provides one of the most accurate and informative platforms to find anything from locations, restaurants, public authorities, police or directions. As long as your teenager has access to the internet, they can use google to research destinations, find local attractions and read reviews from other travellers.

Travel guides

Travel guides are a great resource for your teenager travelling abroad. They can provide valuable information about local customs, attractions, and safety tips. Consider purchasing a guidebook for your teenager's destination before they leave or encouraging them to download a digital guide on their phone.

Travel agencies

Travel agencies can be a valuable resource for your teenager travelling abroad. They can help with everything from booking hotels and flights to providing information about local attractions and activities. Opt to either work with a travel agent (especially when planning excursions not organised by your teenager's school) or encourage your teenager to speak directly with a travel agent so they're comfortable interacting with them.

Local organisations or charities

Local organisations, such as embassies and consulates, can be an essential resource for your teenager abroad, especially in emergencies. Make sure your teenager knows where the relevant embassy or consulate is in the country they're visiting so they can try and get there if they get lost.

Social media

Social media is a great resource for your teenager travelling abroad. Encourage them to use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to research the place they're going to visit and stay in touch with their friends who are also travelling abroad. While most teenagers will use social media to share their experiences and photos from the trip, social media is essential for your teenager to stay in touch with their travel group and get emotional support if they feel homesick.

What are the top things to consider before sending my teenager abroad?

Do your research on the location and itinerary of the trip.

Before booking their tickets or packing their bags, it's important to research and ensure that your teenager is prepared for everything the trip might entail. Think about what kind of activities they'll be doing. Many times, there will be optional activities that your teenager can elect to do while overseas. Ask them whether they're keen to explore different cultures, try new food, or relax while travelling abroad.

Once your child has decided on the places and activities they want to do, make sure they take some time to learn about the customs and traditions of the country or region they're about to enter. This research will help them avoid cultural difficulties and ensure that they respect the local way of life while they're there.

Help your teenagers get their documents in order.

Once you've helped them sort some of the logistics of your trip, it's time to help your teen get their documents in order. They'll need a valid passport and visa or official documentation (such as a driver's licence). Check the requirements for their destination before their departure date, so you don't run into any last-minute problems. Embassies and government organisations can notoriously slow to process new or renewed passports and official documentation, so ensure you get the essential travel documents done well in advance.

Help your kids to pack appropriately (and on the lighter end if possible).

This tip applies whether your teen is travelling near or far. Packing light will not only make lugging their suitcase around a lot easier, but it will also give your teenager more flexibility once they arrive at their destination. Remember that your teenager is likely significantly smaller than you as an adult, so their ability to carry and travel with more luggage is significantly reduced (especially if they aren't in a group setting where they travel with other adults that can help them with luggage). Focus on ensuring they have the essentials for their destination depending on their activities and the time of year they're travelling.

Bring the right amount of cash, the right denomination and the right currencies.

While most places these days accept credit/debit cards, it's always a good idea to have some cash, just in case. So make sure your teenager has enough local currency, the correct debit card (with corresponding foreign exchange functionality) and multiple sources or denominations of cash in case of emergencies.

Additionally, ensure they know how to withdraw money from an ATM abroad when they run out of local cash. Note that some banks will limit the amount of money you can take out daily. Additionally, you may face fees for withdrawing from certain foreign ATMs, so check with the bank to your teenager's debit card is tied to beforehand. It's also a good idea to alert your (or your teenager's) bank ahead of time that you'll be using your card in another country so that they won't think your card has been stolen/hacked if they see foreign transactions popping up. If they think this, they may freeze the account/card, causing more problems for your teenager abroad.

Get travel insurance.

Accidents happen, especially while on vacation, which can ruin your teenager’s trip. To protect your teen (and your bank account), make sure they have travel insurance before setting off on their adventure. That way, if something does go wrong, they’ll be covered financially.

There are different travel insurance policies to choose from depending on where they're travelling and what activities they'll be doing while abroad. Make sure to pick one right for your teenager's situation and provides the coverage they'll likely need. For a definitive guide to travel insurance, check out our guide here.

Try to set regular times to call and stay connected with your teen.

In today's day and age, it's easier than ever to stay connected with loved ones travelling abroad. Whether through texting, emailing, or video calling, staying in touch with your teen while they're away will help reduce homesickness and provide peace of mind that they're doing okay. Setting up a protocol, such as texting once a day or calling once every few days, can be a great way to stay connected to your teen and ensure they're safe. However, make sure not to smother them and let them explore the new country they're in. Providing this freedom and autonomy is extremely valuable and builds their resilience and character.

Establish some ground rules for your teen.

Although most people travel without incident, it's always important to take steps to minimise the risks associated with travel. A few example rules to teach your teen includes:

When travelling alone or in unfamiliar surroundings, make sure to keep track of all of your belongings.
What to do and who to contact if they lose their passport or wallet.
Try not to draw too much attention to yourself.
Be aware of pickpockets operating in busy areas such as tourist hotspots or public transport hubs.
Follow local laws and regulations (especially when it comes to police).

Must-know facts about teenagers travelling abroad

Empowering your children to learn more about money and spending is a valuable skill they can take into adulthood.

While every parent wants to ensure that their child is prepared and has everything they'll need (financially or otherwise) for travel abroad, it's important to empower your child to build autonomy and make good decisions. Some teens may have had to earn money to pay for some or most of the trip. So, understandably, they may want to have more control over how they spend the money they've earned. Recognise that it's okay for your child to want this autonomy.

Teenagers will learn most of their financial and spending habits through you as parents.

It's important to model good money habits and attitudes for your teenagers, as they will tend to adopt these behaviours from you as parents. Try to share your savings, budgeting and spending strategies with them. Be mindful of how you talk about money. Your teens may adopt similar attitudes if you adopt bad financial habits (regarding lack of money or using credit carelessly, for example).

Accept that your teenager might make financial mistakes initially and that it's okay.

Giving teenagers financial responsibility and allowing them to make mistakes can help them learn about financial responsibility. For example, you could give them a budget for activities and food and let them make trade-offs to stay within budget while abroad. Let them experience the consequences of overspending and not bail them out unless necessary. This scenario will help them learn about the value of money and the importance of staying within a budget.

Make sure that your teenager has the right phone plan and enough roaming data before they leave.

Your teenager having enough data and access to the internet is essential when travelling abroad. Without this, they are much more susceptible to getting lost, stressed out and confused when they can't connect with others or find relevant information from trusted sources or other reviews. Assuming the trip lasts for a week, it's recommended that parents purchase a robust roaming data plan (at least 2-4 gigabytes) so that their teenager can message, call and text you as much as they want or need to (and also access google or social media).

Accept that your child may get homesick or anxious and that you may need to comfort them mid-trip.

Travel can be incredibly fun and new, but it can also be highly stressful and scary. If this is your teen's first trip abroad, they might be confused or anxious about travelling. It can help to have early conversations about how you'll be able to support them before, during and after they travel abroad. Ultimately, your teen will be travelling much more in their lifetime and building this resilience in them gives them the confidence they can travel with confidence in future.

Make sure your teenager packs their bag so that they know where everything is.

While you'll likely want to ensure that your teen has everything they might need while on their trip (and risk overpacking), it's too easy for you as the parent to pack everything you think they'll need without including them in the process. What will end up happening is that they'll get to the new country they're travelling to and have no idea what's in their suitcase or where anything is, leading to more stress for your teen at an already stressful time.

Try to get your teen to pack their bag, so they know exactly what's in their suitcase and where everything is. If you're assisting them in packing their back, ensure that you're doing so while they're watching so that they still know where everything is.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I ensure my teen is safe while overseas?

Above and beyond checking in with the relevant adults managing and leading the trip, you can maintain somewhat consistent communication with your teenager through calling or apps like Whatsapp, email or Facebook. Additionally, if you're keen to understand whether your teen is physically safe, apps like Life360 provide real-time updates on your child's location depending on whether they have internet reception. These applications can put your mind at ease and ensure your child is having fun safely.

How can I keep in contact with my child without paying a heap of money in international minutes?

Whatsapp is one of the most popular methods by which parents keep in contact with their teenagers travelling abroad. Whatsapp is free and fully encrypted, and you'll only need an internet connection to message or call them while they're abroad.

What phone plan should I buy for my teen to ensure they have access to the internet/messages?

Your teen will likely need a roaming plan when travelling abroad. Roaming plans are usually more expensive but are much easier to deal with and don't require your teen to change out their SIM card. The alternative is to buy a local SIM in the country they land in, which will be much cheaper but more logistically challenging to swap SIMs. The option you should choose depends on how long they stay and which countries they will visit.

I've heard Wise is a great way to spend money abroad. What age does my teen need to be to get a Wise card? What alternatives are there if not?

Unfortunately, you'll need to be at least 18 years of age to apply for a Wise account and debit card. For children under 18, using debit cards tied to youth accounts for spending (alongside traditional cash or local currency) is recommended. For other non-children situations, check out our comprehensive Wise in New Zealand guide.

My child has run out of local currency abroad, and I have no idea how to get money to them quickly. So I'm stressing out, what do I do?!

Firstly, it’s important not to panic if your teenager needs funds unexpectedly. There are many safe and direct ways to send money to them. One of the easiest ways is to send money through bank transfer to their relevant youth account (which their debit card should be able to access). This transfer process should take less than three days if the bank accounts are both domiciled in New Zealand.

For international transfers, your bank should be able to guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary information to complete this. However, note that fees can be high for international transfers and may take up to five days to go through.

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