Travel Safety Tips

Through research and planning you may prevent or be ready for lots of the common problems you may face in adapting to a different environment abroad, such as: the best way to guard against petty theft, mitigate the risks of road safety, be wary about water activities, keep a low profile, and remain in contact with colleagues/loved ones.

Theft is more common in foreign countries than you could anticipate. Scammers and pickpockets could be prevalent in a number of the areas you will visit while traveling. It's important to stay vigilant while in public spaces.

Be mindful of your surroundings when using public transport to ensure a safe arrival at the right destination. Take note of where your belongings are and who's around you.

Use a bag with a strap that goes across the chest and do not keep valuables in your back pockets (pockets, mobile phones). When using transport wear backpacks on the front of your body.

When traveling, road and vehicular security is the threat to your health. The U.S. State Department estimates that over 200 U.S. citizens die each year due to road accidents abroad.

Don't drive a car (car, scooter, ATV, etc.) while overseas. Traffic laws in different countries may vary significantly from what you're accustomed to, and ignorance of local traffic regulations in your host country could result in accidents and/or fines.

Pay attention throughout your onsite orientation about what kinds of public transport are safe to use.

Use caution when you're a pedestrian. Focus on traffic patterns and always stay alert when crossing the road.

Water Security

Experienced swimmers and boaters could be caught off guard in the unknown conditions of bodies of water overseas. Regrettably, accidental drownings and relevant water accidents are among the leading causes of death of Americans overseas. Therefore, we remind you to take extra precautions when enjoying recreational activities in and around water and if you are using boats for transport or exploration. Don't operate a boat or watercraft while overseas.

Safety actually begins with awareness -- awareness of your environment, but also awareness of yourself and your behaviour in a public location.

Be cautious -- set boundaries, observe your surroundings, be aware of people around you, trust your instinct

Be extra careful in tourist spots because they may be a greater risk target for petty theft, scams, and other offenses.

Avoid high-risk scenarios (e.g. protests). Do not visit prominently"American" places (i.e., American-themed clubs or bars, or other places where a lot of Americans are known to congregate). Try to blend in with the natives as far as possible.

Avoid public demonstrations (particularly political demonstrations or individual rights rallies), where there might be large numbers of people and the air could become stressed or violent. Wearing your Penn State equipment will make you stick out as a foreigner and a college student.

Minimize talking in loud, American English in public areas.

Do not wear/carry flashy jewelry or expensive electronic equipment.

Don't go out alone at night, and do not leave your friends alone.

Cultural awareness -- understand what is appropriate in the culture you'll be visiting.

What's normal or acceptable behavior in this circumstance?

What do you find the locals doing?

What would you typically do at home that could cause undesirable attention in your host country?

It's helpful to be conscious of resources provided by the U.S. government to its citizens abroad, in addition to the constraints on the role that the government can perform in a foreign environment.

MONEY OVERSEAS

Specific steps should be taken with regards to managing money overseas:

Notify your credit card company and bank of impending global travel.

Keep contact information for credit card companies and banks in case of a lost or stolen card.

Have multiple kinds of payment methods available.

Take only the credit cards and debit/ATM cards that you intend to use while you're traveling.

Keep valuables such as your passport and any money you're taking in a money belt or pouch near your body for the duration of your journey.

Specific steps should be taken with regards to some important documents:

Make many copies of travel documents and credit cards.

In case of a lost or stolen travel document, contact the U.S. Embassy in your area.

INTERNATIONAL MAILING CUSTOMS

When mailing items to a different country those items have to be reviewed and cleared by customs. Some items may not be legal to ship to another country, or might take a hefty tax to be paid until they are released to you. You ought not mail any valuable electronic equipment, drugs, or anything which you would be upset to lose.

COMMUNICATIONS

Specific steps should be taken with regards to communications overseas:

Staying in touch with friends and family will be significant as you're abroad, but you need to set expectations so that they know how often they ought to expect you to contact them.

You should carry an internationally working mobile phone that's turned on and charged at all times.

Make certain you have the right equipment, like the correct sort of voltage and plug converter, to operate in your destination country.

Understand how to make telephone calls from your destination country. If you have wifi and a doorbell camera at home you can receive alerts to know the safety of your home while you are traveling.

Mobile Phone Options

Maintaining your U.S. mobile phone overseas. Make certain to check with your mobile phone provider here in the U.S. about global calling/texting plans. You will wish to understand the prices well in advance because they can be costly.

Purchasing a"pay-as-you-go" mobile phone once overseas. It's generally quite easy to buy a simple"burner" telephone once arrive at your host country. These phones generally have a low monthly fee and then you can buy minutes and data amounts. You pay for what you use.

Purchasing a local sim card to your U.S. phone. An alternative is to purchase and worldwide sim card upon arrival in your host country and put it in your U.S. cell phone. You'll have to be certain that your phone is unlocked before travel. Be sure not to Drop the U.S. sim card since you will need to change is back upon return to the U.S.