ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses both life’s essentials and academic essentials. Not everything can be done before departure, but there is truth to the adage that “preparation prevents poor performance.” Prior to travel it is usually good idea to register with one’s home country embassy or consulate, as embassies are interested in knowing the whereabouts of visiting nationals and can provide valuable services in case of emergency. In addition to general health insurance, consider the possibility of potential disasters. This is particularly important for those who will be far away from high quality medical care and therefore might need rapid medical evacuation. Looking for housing takes a lot of time, either before going to the field, upon arriving, or both. Most researchers report that they mispacked when they went to the field, either bringing unnecessary items or forgetting absolutely essential ones.
