[ID:8901]Cross-cultural travel has little in common with tourist travel. It does not have much to do with lounging on beaches, eating in restaurants with other tourists, shopping for souvenirs or touring the sights. Cross-cultural travel is about immersing yourself in a different culture and making the most of every opportunity to integrate. It is about cultivating rich experiences that will serve you both personally and professionally. It is also about getting to know our levels of tolerance, your limitations and your strengths.

The self-knowledge, observational skills and mature global perspective that you develop while abroad will prove invaluable as you start interacting with potential employers.

Be aware that it is easiest to integrate into another culture (and stay on your own schedule) if you are traveling alone. Two females, or two males traveling together is the next best travel arrangement. Heterosexual couples traditionally have the hardest time integrating, often due to some segregation of the sexes, which is quite common around the world. Keep...