Student Handbook - Personal Safety

You should take the same common sense safety precautions abroad that you would at home. Be aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables concealed, be prudent around strangers, and heed safety advice from your host ISEP Coordinator and local residents. Below are some general tips, but please refer to your online Country Handbook for more specific information.

MONEY AND VALUABLES: Students should take traveler’s checks, cash, some host country currency (for use before finding somewhere to exchange money), and a debit or a credit card. ATMs are widely available in most large cities. When traveling to more remote areas, take local currency. Some debit and credit cards have an automatic restriction on international transactions. Check with your bank or credit card company before you depart.

• Do not carry large amounts of cash with you; use traveler’s checks and major credit cards instead.
• Make photocopies of credit and debit cards along with other essential documents: take one set of copies abroad and leave one set with someone at home.
• Carefully guard your passport, visas, and other documents. Keep the originals secured in your room, and carry the photocopies with you, unless local law requires otherwise.
• When traveling, utilize a money belt that can be worn underneath your clothing. Purses and bags can easily be cut or ripped from your shoulder by thieves, possibly causing injury in the process.

TIPS FOR SAFETY: Below are some general tips for staying safe when traveling or just going out on the town.

• Make sure someone else always knows your itinerary.
• Keep your eyes and hands on your bags at all times, especially when talking on the telephone or reading a sign or train schedule. When you’re distracted, you’re an easy target for thieves.
• Be mindful when handing your luggage to anyone. Thieves often pose as porters or drivers.
• Plan your trip so that you don’t arrive at an unknown town late at night without having made prior arrangements for accommodations.
• When you stay at a hotel, make use of the provided safety deposit boxes. Leave your passport and money safely locked away.
• If driving, keep doors locked and suitcases out of sight. Don’t leave valuables in cars. Thieves target rental cars and vehicles with foreign license plates.
• Avoid forming large groups of foreigners. But remember that there is added safety in numbers. Smaller groups attract less attention.
• Don’t go anywhere with strangers if you are alone.
• Dress to blend in with the local population.
• Find out which parts of town are considered risky by the locals and avoid those areas.
• Always stay in well-lit and well-traveled places. Don’t take short cuts through alleys or unsafe areas.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: In the United States, the official legal drinking age is 21—higher than in other countries. Attitudes toward alcohol consumption vary greatly from country to country. Whatever the local rules and customs, use moderation and good judgment; drinking may place you at risk because it reduces your awareness and ability to judge potential dangers. Excessive drinking has been identified as the single greatest risk factor for study abroad students.

AVOIDING DANGER IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS:

• Stay alert and trust your intuition when you feel you may be in danger. If you feel you may be getting into an uncomfortable situation, try to get to a safe place as soon as possible.
• Learn the emergency number in your host country and use it when needed.
• Don’t be afraid to call attention to yourself or ask for assistance if you’re in trouble. When calling for help, be specific about what you need.
• Be aware of the effects of alcohol and drugs. These effects include impaired judgment and increased violent behavior.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Know your own limits and be supportive of other people’s limits.
• Do not go off alone with someone you don’t know well or who makes you feel uncomfortable. Suggest staying with a group or going to a public place. Don’t leave friends alone at parties, bars, or clubs.
• Always bring money for taxi fare to a safe place. Change for a phone call in case of an emergency can be helpful as well.
• Be aware that signals may not be interpreted clearly across cultures. If someone is pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to, say NO clearly. Be direct and assertive.

SELF-DEFENSE TIPS:

• Always keep windows and doors locked, not propped open. At night, make sure your drapes, shades, or blinds are closed.
• Don’t let strangers into your room or apartment. Never give them your home address on the phone or over the internet. If you observe a suspicious person, notify the police immediately.
• Use a steady, confident pace when walking, and always be aware of your surroundings.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Don’t overload yourself with books or bags.
• Make sure you can hear what’s happening around you, especially if you are on the phone or wearing headphones.
• Carry your keys in your hand so you can get into your home quickly.

MORE SAFETY AND TRAVEL TIPS: Check www.travel.state.gov for more information regarding various regions; planning your trip; how to register at the US Embassy; and tips for travel, health, safety, and living abroad.