Students should know that there are inherent risks to studying abroad and to international travel in general. You cannot control civil war or bigotry, but you can, however, minimize your risk by practicing some basic precautions while abroad:

Don’t drive!
Many universities require their students to sign waivers promising not to drive a motorized vehicle during their study abroad experience, and for good reason. Driving is a dangerous endeavor wherever you are. Add into the mix different traffic laws, dangerous driving practices, and narrow mountain roads, and you have a recipe for disaster. Plus, You may not be accustomed to the type of driving that is practiced in many countries. In Indonesia, for instance, lanes are not honored; if there is enough room, you can pass. In Latin America, it is common to pass going up hill on a one-lane road. In some countries, a car may be driven at night without headlights. And in other countries, drivers may be as young as 14-years of age. You get the picture.

Practice the same caution you would practice when visiting a major metropolitan destination in your country.
Consider the caution you might employ at night in New York City, and use the same caution when in Buenos Aires. Don’t go out at night alone. Don’t accept rides from strangers. Don’t go home with a stranger. Select well-lit areas to walk while out at night.

Don’t use drugs.
You may be in a situation where drug use seems more tolerated or even a cultural experience don’t be fooled! Drugs are still against the law in Guatemala, Nepal, Colombia, and just about every country on earth. Even in those countries that tolerate marijuana use, you still have to consider the safety of your surroundings. It was widely rumored that during the early ’90s, American students in Costa Rica would be offered drugs for free. Then upon accepting the gift, they would be promptly arrested by the informant’s police friends. Also, consider this: A death sentence or 10 years in prison would not only ruin your study abroad experience, it would also ruin your life.

Be cautious of friendly strangers.
In some cases, people may be bold enough to approach you and ask for help, or they may say they just want to make an American friend. In many cases, however, they are interested in a conquest, or your U.S. dollars. These friendly locals come in many forms. They may be a child offering to guide you through the city, a cute co-ed who is willing to help you with directions, or an old man who wants to practice English with you.

Be aware of current events, political volatility, and international affairs.
A group of American students joined a rally in Guatemala City a decade ago, believing they were celebrating the soccer championships. They learned later that the rally was a demonstration against a recent coup d’etat. There are certain regions within safe countries, which are unsafe. Educate yourself on the recent history and current events of the country in which you plan to visit.

Avoid advertising that you are American.
You don’t need to wear your Tommy Hilfiger shirt, with your Air Jordans, and a Texas A&M baseball cap while hiking the Inca Trail. If you dress like that, you may as well wear a shirt that says ‘look at me, I’m an American.’ Although it is true that in many cases, even the subtlest outer appearance will give away the fact that you are an American, you should still avoid inviting the attention. Most of all, you should honor the local culture. Several years ago, a group of American students trekking in Nepal went skinny-dipping in full view of the local village and their trek sherpas. The same girls reported sexual harassment at the hands of the sherpas during the remainder of the trek. When confronted, the sherpas were baffled by the cultural inconsistencies they perceived. Just because you’re not in Kansas anymore, doesn’t give you license to break local social rules. Disrespecting local culture may also result in an angry retaliation from locals.

Women should take special precautions.
If you are interested in visiting a country where chauvinism is a way of life, you should prepare yourself for the culture. Remember that one American co-ed will not change thousands of years of tradition no matter how inappropriate or unjust it may seem. In some countries, the only women who are out after dark are prostitutes. In other countries, women could be arrested for exposing their arms or legs. You should avoid traveling at night, make sure your bedroom door has a lock on it, use caution when making male friends, and walk away from uncomfortable situations. There have been reports of confrontations between American women and local male chauvinists that have turned ugly even dangerous. Do what the local women do walk away.

Don’t drink the water.
In many places, the water is safe, but you should educate yourself on issues of health. What is safe? Can I get my prescriptions here? Where is the local hospital or clinic? Is their someone who speaks English there?

Find out where the U.S. consulate or embassy is.
Many study abroad programs report their presence at the local consulate upon arrival. Carry a photocopy of your passport in a different bag.

Let someone know when you are going out.
Also, where you are going and when you plan to be home. Whether you are leaving for a weekend excursion, or going to the local pub for one beer, someone should know where you are. Students shouldn’t cancel their trips because of needless tragedies like the one in Costa Rica. Just be smart, then go study abroad!

Source: Goabroad.com

This entry was posted by Taman Siswa on Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7:02 am and is filed under Online Education, Study Abroad. Tags: Buenos Aires, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guatemala City, Inca Trail, Indonesia, Kansas, Latin America, Nepal, New York City, soccer, Student, Study, Study Abroad, U.S. consulate, United States, . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.