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Step 1
Take a language course. You're not going to become fluent in a matter of a few languages. But it will open you up to the culture before your plane ever takes off. You might consider taking a language immersion program in your destination city, as it can offer intensive language study and sometimes a free apartment for a week.
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Step 2
Learn which religions have the greatest influence over the local culture. Keep in mind that this is likely to vary by region even within a country. Awareness of dominant religions will yield insights into culture and history as well as customs. At a minimum, know what constitutes acceptable behavior with regard to areas of worship. You don't want to unwittingly defame the holiest shrine in the land.
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Step 3
Consider your attire and behavior in the country your traveling. This subject is guaranteed to start a lively debate as some people feel it's their right to be themselves with regard to public behavior and dress. However, sometimes ignoring the local customs and laws can offend people and land you in jail. To take an extreme example, in some countries women aren't allowed to drive. You may not feel this is right, but must still understand that when you enter a country, you agree to abide by its laws. With regard to dress, you're going to stick out like the sorest of thumbs anyway, but you might keep in mind what type of clothing can be offensive or in particularly poor taste.
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Step 4
Keep your schedule light, allowing for setbacks. If things don't work out,be flexible and move on. Otherwise, frustration can arise because Many countries take a different approach to time and punctuality than most Americans and Western Europeans are used to. Cultural sites, post offices and restaurants may not always be open, even though their signs say they are. Businesses may close for a national holiday without consulting you first.
