Dd18 seemingly totally unprepared for solo trip abroad?

Depends on the country though surely? I mean there's a pretty big difference between, say, Dubai or Saudi Arabia Vs Morocco or Egypt. The latter I saw plenty of people (not just tourists) wearing quite skimpy clothing. I just got back from Morocco and it was weird the contrast between the more traditional/I guess religious women on the beach in burkinis and the women in bikinis (again just to be clear, this was a mix of Moroccan women and tourists). Same in Egypt but I got groped and sexually assaulted several times there despite dressing modestly. So depending on where she's going maybe just warn her of potential dangers and keeping herself safe.

Dubai, Saudi Arabia and essentially all the middle eastern countries I would never go to out of principle.

@IWantAMassiveEasterEgg what country is your DD going to?

I'm sure I must have driven my mum mad when I was 18 with my lackadaisical approach to international travel, I was just like your daughter. I always managed to pull it together and get things sorted in the end though. I'm sure your daughter will manage to pull through!

Why does she need to exchange currency..?

Insurance is the important thing.

Get a photo of her passport, flight details, visa, jusf in case there is an issue later.

Bite ointment, antihistamine tablets, diarrhoea and motilium tablets and plasters, sun cream.

Sun hat

Definitely wouldn't be pleased if my DC dressed immodestly in a Muslim country and disrespected the local customs.

At some point in some countries you'd get in trouble with the authorities.

Ha! I can pack in 15 mins and indeed did when I went off backpacking in Thailand at 18. Opened my bag when I got there and there was a big fluffy winter coat, ten vest tops and literally nothing else. Nothing like skirts or shorts (other than the trousers I came in), no underwear, no toiletries at all. I had sending off drinks with my friends and genuinely can't remember packing!

I survived. Maybe give her a nudge about any paperwork she actually needs to do but otherwise, just leave her to it! I'm sure she'll cope, she'll be able to buy anything she needs whilst she's there and it'll be character building (along with the volunteering of course!)

Well, my DD can pack in about 15 mins if needed. I’ve seen her do it.

most airports sell toothpaste and other toiletries, and even Muslim countries have shops.

some Muslim countries even allow women to wear western clothes.

currency can be exchanged at the airport, yes she’ll pay more for it but that’s the price you pay.

some Muslim countries (Morocco for example) you need to be in country to get local currency anyway.

seriously, back off and leave her to it.

if she isn’t sorted at the airport then the airline will deal with it. It’s always possible to buy extra luggage at check in (usually for a massive price but that’s her lookout).

I think things like exchanging currency and printing documents are just irrelevant now - you can use your phone or card to pay abroad or use a cash machine once you get there to get money/facilities in the hotel to exchange a little bit for small purchases. And with paperwork you can show phone screen/QR codes mostly these days.

Airlines will let you pay on the day to increase baggage allowance too so don’t worry about it!

DS at 18 went on four month trip round the world. I honestly had no idea how much it cost, how much money he had. I assume he took out insurance. Who knows? There comes a time when you have to let them get on with it. At that age I was Married and working.

Leave her to it, but with instructions on what needs doing before she goes. When she can't go/gets stuck/can't do something because she's not prepared, she'll learn for next time.

Does she have appropriate insurance?

Thats the must have. And if volunteering, then really need to check it’s the right insurance as many standard travel ones won’t cover that.

Then check the FCO advice (as that’s always a requirement of the insurance).

Beyond that, she’ll need to navigate it herself.

Oh that's tricky! I'm currently on a similar 3 week solo trip but I'm in my late 30s so a lot better organised 😆 I'm not really sure what else you can do, it's not like you've just left her with no help - if she's ignoring what you're saying there's only so much you can do. I think I'd be keen to see she makes the flight ok in terms of paperwork but the packing is her problem - if she gets there and realises she's missing loads of stuff that's a lesson for next time!

Send her a list of everything she needs to do. Tell her if she isn’t going to prep properly you won’t bail her. Tell her you love her and should have a great time and then leave her to it.

im a last minute person and always have been and it has mostly always been fine!