The ABCs (and DEFs) of Preparing for Your First Road Scholar Program
So you’re about to embark on your first Road Scholar learning adventure — congratulations! We’re excited to have you join the nearly 100,000 participants who explore the world with us each year.
We’ve planned an unforgettable experience for you. We also have ideas on what you can do before your program to make it more memorable still. Here’s a quick list of tips “from A to F” to put you on the path to travel bliss.
A is for Attitude
You’re going to have the time of your life – especially if you approach your trip with an open mind and an eagerness to discover and grow. Of course, that’s probably what led you to us in the first place! But keep in mind that among the most treasured memories of nearly every traveler are the occasions when things didn’t go exactly as expected. Maybe they ducked into a museum in Munich to escape a sudden rain shower, and discovered an incredible collection of marionettes. Maybe they went wandering in New Orleans and stumbled across a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant. (Theres’s a thriving community there.) Or maybe a macaque in Bali stole their hat and ransomed it for a cracker. The point being that sometimes the very best thing that can happen when you travel is for things not to go as planned. So embrace the spirit of adventure and the excitement of learning new things. Roll with it! You’ll be surprised how travel can expand your comfort zone.
B is for Books
Learning is at the heart of every Road Scholar experience. Our program developers and expert instructors hand-select readings that can greatly enhance your appreciation of the people, places and events you’ll encounter. For example, reading a Shakespearean play before attending a performance can help you more deeply appreciate the beauty of the Bard’s writing, the nuances of his plots and the idiosyncrasies of his characters. Likewise, familiarizing yourself beforehand with the incredible diversity of species in Costa Rica will only enhance the thrill of encountering them in the wild. So read what you can, as your time allows. You won’t regret it! (By the way, Road Scholar has a store on Bookshop.org with an outstanding selection of books related to every place we travel.)
C Is for Community
You’re part of the family now – the Road Scholar family, as well as the special family of fellow travelers who will share your experiences. So let’s all get to know one another! You’ll find us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. When you’re enrolled in a program, you can also join a private discussion board just for members of your group. It’s a great way to make friends, get advice, ask questions and share your excitement.
D is for Dress
We cannot stress this enough: Dress like an onion. Layering is everything when you travel. It may get colder than you think, or warmer than you think. So bring things you can put on top of one another when it’s chilly, or leave behind when it’s warm. Bring footwear to suit the activities you’ll engage in. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are almost always a must, hiking boots for rugged terrain are a good idea, and you’ll want something more stylish for a fancy dinner or the opera. (Fuzzy slippers are okay, too.) Lastly, as you know, the best way to ensure it will rain Is to forget your raincoat, so be sure to bring yours!
E is for Essentials
We’ll be sending you plenty of guidance and reminders as your program approaches about what to take along, but it’s never too soon to mention a few must-brings. First and foremost are your documents. As of May 7, 2025, all adult (18+) domestic travelers will be required to present a REAL ID — a more robust form of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. (Also acceptable for domestic travel will be U.S. passports and state-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses.) If you need one, don’t leave it until the last minute!
The same goes for passports. If you’re traveling internationally, they’re required. The standard time for passport processing is 4-6 weeks. While there are expedited and urgent options for receiving a passport sooner, they cost more. It’s all too easy to forget about your passport until it’s too late, so if you don’t have a valid one (make sure it hasn’t expired, they’re good for 10 years), take care of it now!
Next: Chargers and converters. Don’t forget to pack your chargers for whatever devices you’re bringing – phone, tablet, etc. And if you’re traveling internationally, be sure your chargers (and other things with plugs) are compatible with the system in use where you’re going. Adapter kits are available, and they are something to consider buying now if needed, so you don’t forget.
As noted, we’ll send you more detailed information on the things you should bring, and we’re more than happy to answer any questions you have. But for now, one last reminder about the aforementioned essentials. They won’t help you if you’re sitting at the airport and they’re sitting on the kitchen table! So make yourself a little checklist that you can consult as the very last thing before you walk out the door!
F is for fun
The time before your adventure can be as fun (almost) as the time you’re on it. Talk about the upcoming program with friends and family. Plan your wardrobe. Google street views of your destination. Looks up lists of top restaurants… distinctive wines… local legends. Buy a journal to bring with you. Learn a few key phrases in the local language if you’re traveling abroad, or bone up on one you learned back in high school. Savor the anticipation!
Soon you’ll embark on a wonderful journey. With these tips in mind, we’re confident you’ll enjoy every minute. And then? You can start planning your next one!