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Safety Issues
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While any travel entails some risk, your safety abroad is foremost among our concerns. Please see our link to safety information and policies. Also, please take heed of the following:
Be alert and aware of your surroundings. If a situation occurs which raises your suspicion, mention it to the appropriate people. For example, if you see a package or bag which appears to be unattended, mention it to appropriate personnel or to the police. Do not leave your own bags unattended at any time, and do not agree to carry or look after any package, parcel or luggage for anyone.
Keep a low profile and avoid confrontations or situations which could become provocative or put you in any danger. Similarly, stay away from demonstrations and unruly crowds. In addition, try to integrate yourself into the host culture so that you do not stand out as a tourist.
Keep all important documents, such as your passport,
in a safe place at all times. Pouches or belts (for
documents/money) that are worn under your clothing
are recommended when you are traveling. Report stolen
documents immediately. If your passport is stolen,
inform the United States Embassy immediately.
Make several clear photocopies of your passport (and visa, where applicable). Leave a copy of these documents with a parent or guardian, and take a few copies with you - but keep them in a safe place separate from your passport.
Please be cautious when you meet new people. Just
as you would not in the US, you should not provide
your local address or phone number, or those of fellow
students to strangers. Never get into a car with strangers
or put yourself in a situation where you are alone
with a stranger or people you only just met.
The U.S. State Department occasionally issues travel advisories for travel to certain countries or worldwide travel. We will inform you if there is an advisory which is specific to your site. If you wish to know about general worldwide advisories, either call our office or check online at the State Department's website.
We advise against traveling alone to any locations,
especially those which the state department has issued
specific warnings, so if you are planning to travel
on your own to countries which might raise warning
signals (recent terrorist attacks, historically strained
relations with the US), you should check with program
staff for the most recent information. If you do travel
on your own, you should inform program officials of
your itinerary and how you can be reached. If you
do not, we can not be responsible for locating you
or assisting you in emergencies. Keep a copy of your
passport and sufficient funds or an international
credit card with you at all times.
Road travel abroad is always a concern. We very strongly
discourage you from driving in other countries, since
you are not familiar with the customs, laws, and signs.
On-site staff hire reliable and careful drivers for
any planned trips. For travel on your own, you should
assume that the roads are not as safe as in the United
States, and consider alternative forms of travel.
Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged.
Most safety problems arise when students are out late at night and when they are drinking alcohol. Excessive drinking clouds your judgment and may make you an easy target for those who want to take advantage of you.
The decision to study abroad is one which must be made by you and your family. Even with the care which our staff members give to your safety, and even if you carefully follow the guidelines here, we can not guarantee a completely safe environment, just as no one can guarantee it here in the United States. Nor can we force you to follow these guidelines when you are on your own. We urge you, however, to pay attention to them, and to exercise the same caution as you would in the United States, in order to have the best experience possible.
Links to useful safety resources:
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