4 Study Abroad Safety Tips

By Ian Acosta on November 13, 2016

You have just decided to embark on a semester-long quest abroad to a foreign place. Might sound like an intimidating prospect at first, right? Well, do not fret.

As you prepare and plan for such things as a host family, financial aid, and picking out classes, do not forget about safety preparation. Although sometimes an afterthought until actually abroad, a detailed safety plan is a necessity in order to safely maneuver your new home away from home.

Here are some tips and strategies to keep in mind as you traverse your new environment.

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1. Research the city/country.

Now this might sound like a no brainer but good research will pay huge dividends in keeping yourself safe. Once you find out where you will be staying, spend some time and learn about the city or neighborhood. Scope out local coffee shops, stores, restaurants and also landmarks such as police stations, hospitals, churches and libraries.

If you are staying with a host family, be sure to learn and hear about their experiences about living there. Information from a firsthand source is arguably the most valuable information of all. Research crime statistics in your future home and see where hotspots for robberies, thefts, and other crimes are more likely to happen so you know to avoid them if possible.

As soon as you land, go out with a friend and scope out the landscape to see where everything is and to have a picture in your mind of where to be at all times.

2. Never go anywhere alone.

Always, always, ALWAYS have a friend or someone with you, especially at night. Personally, nothing was scarier for me than exploring a foreign place by myself with no one to rely on to have my back other than my host family.

If you feel unsafe or in danger and would rather not go anywhere without a friend or classmate, organize a common group time to go to class, get food, go out, etc. For example, a friend of mine and I had the same class on Tuesdays. We lived with different host families but would meet at a coffee shop around the corner from both of us and walk to class as well as using it as a landmark for where to meet up at night if need be.

Do not take this as you should be afraid of anyone and everyone but more as a piece of advice on what to look out for as you study abroad. Remember, you are there to have fun!

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3. Always have a phone.

Communication is key. Actually, being able to have communication at any time is even more important. It would be a worthwhile investment to invest in a cheap phone with a data plan you can use while abroad. If that is not an option for you, investigate into whether or not your current phone can handle a different SD card specifically for the city or country’s phone carrier.

The point is, always have access to a phone. We live in a mobile world nowadays where it is almost a necessity to have a phone. If an emergency pops up and you need to contact your host family, friends, or actual family and cannot get access to a phone, what would you do?

4. Keep a keen eye.

As my father likes to constantly remind me, “Keep your eyes open.” This is also my advice to you. Always be aware of your surroundings. I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard stories of my friends who were pickpocketed of their phone or wallet without them even feeling anything. Some tips to counteract this from happening? Wear a purse or backpack.

A tip I picked up from a friend was to always keep my wallet and keys inside my backpack when walking to and from the store or class. Sure, it might be a bit inconvenient when having to pull your wallet out at the store or getting out your keys when at your apartment but I guarantee those few extra seconds are worth it if it guarantees safety of your belongings.

Congratulations! You are about to spend an extended amount of time in a place most likely foreign to you to advance your educational and professional career. That is pretty awesome. If you can take one message from this article, it would be this: Have fun but be smart, prepared and aware.

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Tourists get targeted in foreign countries all the time because many do not take the time to research, prepare, and plan their travel. You are about to visit a place that you more than likely have never seen before. While that is an exciting prospect in and of itself, remember the main goal of why you are there. Happy travels and stay safe!

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