Fantastic question, Ze!
I wrote an extensive article on using your phone abroad, depending on the type of phone you have etc. You can read it here: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/cell-phone-travel-basics-international-phone-plans-sim-cards-and-more/

To answer your question more directly, you have a few options, including an online number like Hushed or Google Voice, or Google Fi (they are cracking down on data plans for people using it for long periods abroad, but apparently you can still use their phone plan if you get data separately/elsewhere – there are options in my article above for that).
A lot of Americans also like T-Mobile’s international roaming packages, though it seems very expensive to me.

Hi Shella-Eve,
I’m so glad this was helpful for you in preparing for your adventure! I’ll answer each of your questions here:

1) Annual Health Check-Ups: I don’t do them on the road. I see medical professionals only when I need to. Now that I have provincial coverage again (more on that later), I get regular medical check-ups when I’m in town.

2) Prescriptions: It depends on the prescription. Where possible, I’ve had as many scripts written up as possible and I’ve used them on the road. But that’s not possible with some prescriptions.
Best thing is to have a relationship with a doctor who will renew prescriptions with a phone call. But it’s highly dependent on the condition at hand and whether tests are required.
BUT. You may discover (depending on where you go), that many meds that require a prescription in Canada are available over the counter abroad. I’ve talked my way into all kinds of prescription drugs just by having a chat with the pharmacist! On that note, the pharmacist is always my first line of defence when I need medical help. If they can’t help, they’ll know where I should go to get what I need.

3) I lost my Ontario provincial health coverage because I wasn’t in Canada long enough each year to qualify. And – when you lose provincial coverage you CANNOT quality for regular travel insurance!
This is a pretty big deal because the alternative is more expensive. But the good news is there IS an alternative – and I used it for many years: It’s called expat insurance/international medical insurance. More info: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/expat-insurance-travel-insurance-for-full-time-and-long-term-travelers/
If you’re only traveling for a year, you might be able to file with the province to have an extended absence permission. This keeps your coverage in tact for a certain amount of time, and allows you to have regular travel insurance instead. I don’t know how Quebec operates in this regard.

Wow! Thank you so much for dropping down EVERYTHING! This makes my anxiety go away a little just by knowing it all :)!

That will be (and is already) really helpful! I have literally opened 10 tabs of your linked articles to read before my first year of full time travel. You are SUCH a ressource!

Question for you: what do you do for your annual health check ups? (dentist, optometrist, doctor…) Do you come back to Canada or do you do your check up on the road when you need?

Second question: do you bring all your prescriptions with you before you go? (birth control pills, allergies pills or else…) or do you buy some along the way?

Third question: I don’t know if Toronto has the same health system as Quebec with the health card (I am from Quebec), but do you still have one for being away that long? I know we lose it by being more than 183 days away during the same year. Does it change anything with your travel insurance? Do they still cover you for anything?

Thanks a lot and have a wonderful day!!

Hi Sagra!
The issue in cancelling my refundable ticket out of NZ was caused by the airline. I guess it’s protocol for them to need to see a replacement ticket out of the country. Or perhaps, my ticket was flagged as having been purchased under “duress” at the airport in Australia.

Personally, I’d still go for the “rental” ticket, because it is an actual bonafide ticket, which by extension should have a ticket number.

But, the refundable ticket (eg: to Fiji) is also an easy enough option; it just requires you to put the money up front.

Good luck! Please let us know here what you decided on.

I have a specific question about New Zealand and onward tickets, please! You note that you bought a ticket out of NZ to satisfy entry requirements but then weren’t allowed to cancel it without providing proof that you had bought another onward ticket. Who didn’t allow it, and how did they even know what was happening once you were in country? Was it the airline, or NZ immigration…? I thought that buying a refundable ticket was going to be my best option for an upcoming visit, but now I’m not so sure. Many have reported that “rental” tickets aren’t a safe option for NZ either (they want an actual ticket number, not just a confirmed reservation number), and given the country’s geography buying a cheap throwaway ticket isn’t so cheap. I’d prefer to not buy my actual outbound ticket just now, as I’m waiting on family news. However, I do realize that this is ultimately my own problem and of course don’t want to play too many games with immi. I’d be grateful for any insights you might be able to share based on your experience.

Thanks heaps, and a very happy 2019 to you!

Hi Justine,
Indeed, if you read all the travel advisories, you won’t want to leave the house! I’m glad this post has given you some more confidence with preparation in mind. Truly – with preparation and street sense, you can go just about anywhere. 🙂

Yes, I can confirm that applying for an IDP from abroad (Taiwan in my case) is a huge pain (at least if you are an American). Both entities that issue IDP (AAA, and, sorry, can’t recall the name of the second one) accept only checks when applying from abroad. Unfortunately, due to anti-money laundering regulations, one can’t send a check for any amount of money (no matter how small) from Taiwan. I had to send photos and an application to a relative in the US and ask her to write a check.