Staying Safe on Your Study Abroad in a Foreign Country
- By Jack Landry
- Published 12/14/2011
- Legal
- Unrated
Going on a study abroad is extremely exciting, interesting, and educational. It provides you with experiences that you will remember for a lifetime, and allows you to experience languages and cultures that you have never been around before.
However, anytime you are in a foreign country, especially as a female, you are exposed to a certain amount of risk and danger. However, this does not mean that you have to be too afraid to participate in these experiences-you simply need to learn how to be safe, and how to take care of yourself.
A very large part of safety is simple common sense-when accidents of tragedies occur in these cases, often common sense was ignored. To begin with, do as much research as you can on the particular place that you are going.
This can end up being crucial to your safety will studying abroad. Learn about the crime rates, the security and safety warnings, and the political stability.
The U.S. State Department offers up-to-date travel alerts and information on most foreign countries. Go to their website online to answer any questions you may have.
Make sure that you always know where the nearest United States embassy is where you will be going. This could end up saving your life.
If you end up suffering a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else on your trip, be sure to seek the council of a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to make sure that you are taken care of, and legally compensated for any injustice.
Keep in mind that while consulates can help you in the event of an emergency, illness, injury or other situations, they cannot cash checks for you, lend you money, or provide you with legal counsel. They can however help you replace a stolen passport, contact a family member for help, or get medical care if you are in need.
If you are a woman, look into the cultural norms and religious codes in the country in which you will be studying. Learn what the dress and behavior codes
are, and what is and is not acceptable in public.
Social gestures that may seem innocuous in your culture may be interpreted in radically different ways in other societies. Know what language is offensive is also very important-saying something offensive could land you in prison, or worse, in some places.
Make sure that you stave off all unwanted male advances, as well as what comes across as an invitation to romance. Different cultures have different ideas about what is appropriate behavior between men and women.
It is a good idea to never be alone, but to travel only in groups. Make sure that you know enough phrases in the language that they speak to be able to get around.
The more you study the language and the accent before you go, the easier your trip will be. Make sure that you keep your money safe and hidden at all times, as theft against foreigners is very common in other countries.
Wearing a money belt is a good idea, so that you do not even have to have a purse with you. Purses and wallets are the same as carrying around large targets with you.
Carry as little money as possible, and only what you can afford to lose. Have enough to be able to get food or transportation, but do not have any cards with you-cash is always the safest way to go.
Try to dress as much like the locals as you can. The less you stand out, the less of target you will be to criminals, and those looking to kidnap an American for ransom.
Wear as little jewelry as possible-this is often a sign of wealth in other countries, and even fake diamonds can attract thieves to you, thinking they are real. Loose fitting clothing in neutral colors will help you to stay under the radar when it comes to avoiding unwanted advances from men.
While all of this can sound a bit scary, the majority of people have a completely safe and wonderful experience. The key is following the rules, staying in groups, and being smart.
Learning in a setting you are not familiar with can be an amazing experience. Begin your research and study of the language today, and get ready for a once in a lifetime experience.
However, anytime you are in a foreign country, especially as a female, you are exposed to a certain amount of risk and danger. However, this does not mean that you have to be too afraid to participate in these experiences-you simply need to learn how to be safe, and how to take care of yourself.
A very large part of safety is simple common sense-when accidents of tragedies occur in these cases, often common sense was ignored. To begin with, do as much research as you can on the particular place that you are going.
This can end up being crucial to your safety will studying abroad. Learn about the crime rates, the security and safety warnings, and the political stability.
The U.S. State Department offers up-to-date travel alerts and information on most foreign countries. Go to their website online to answer any questions you may have.
Make sure that you always know where the nearest United States embassy is where you will be going. This could end up saving your life.
If you end up suffering a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else on your trip, be sure to seek the council of a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to make sure that you are taken care of, and legally compensated for any injustice.
Keep in mind that while consulates can help you in the event of an emergency, illness, injury or other situations, they cannot cash checks for you, lend you money, or provide you with legal counsel. They can however help you replace a stolen passport, contact a family member for help, or get medical care if you are in need.
If you are a woman, look into the cultural norms and religious codes in the country in which you will be studying. Learn what the dress and behavior codes
Social gestures that may seem innocuous in your culture may be interpreted in radically different ways in other societies. Know what language is offensive is also very important-saying something offensive could land you in prison, or worse, in some places.
Make sure that you stave off all unwanted male advances, as well as what comes across as an invitation to romance. Different cultures have different ideas about what is appropriate behavior between men and women.
It is a good idea to never be alone, but to travel only in groups. Make sure that you know enough phrases in the language that they speak to be able to get around.
The more you study the language and the accent before you go, the easier your trip will be. Make sure that you keep your money safe and hidden at all times, as theft against foreigners is very common in other countries.
Wearing a money belt is a good idea, so that you do not even have to have a purse with you. Purses and wallets are the same as carrying around large targets with you.
Carry as little money as possible, and only what you can afford to lose. Have enough to be able to get food or transportation, but do not have any cards with you-cash is always the safest way to go.
Try to dress as much like the locals as you can. The less you stand out, the less of target you will be to criminals, and those looking to kidnap an American for ransom.
Wear as little jewelry as possible-this is often a sign of wealth in other countries, and even fake diamonds can attract thieves to you, thinking they are real. Loose fitting clothing in neutral colors will help you to stay under the radar when it comes to avoiding unwanted advances from men.
While all of this can sound a bit scary, the majority of people have a completely safe and wonderful experience. The key is following the rules, staying in groups, and being smart.
Learning in a setting you are not familiar with can be an amazing experience. Begin your research and study of the language today, and get ready for a once in a lifetime experience.
Jack Landry
Jack Landry has been in practice for 17 years as general council to various large corporations. He graduated Suma from his Harvard Law class then went on to clerk on the Supreme Court. He recommends Personal Injury Attorney Danbury for all of you Connecticut law needs. Contact Info: Jack R. Landry JackRLandry@gmail.com http://www.bachanddiscala.com
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