Health & Safety

Study Abroad
Safety Tips for
College Students
Kimberly Yavorski

Today’s college students are on the move. Many study abroad

or get the travel bug and hurry overseas every chance they
get.

If your student will study in another country this fall, you may
have safety concerns. Good news: study abroad isn’t
inherently more dangerous than staying on campus. And by
following the same basic safety rules that apply at home (be
aware of your surroundings, avoid traveling alone particularly
after dark, keep close tabs on your valuables, drink
responsibly) plus taking note of these eight essential tips,
your student can have a rewarding and safe experience.

1.
This way the embassy can contact your student in case of a
natural disaster, civil unrest or an emergency back home.
“We encourage U.S. citizens traveling overseas to enroll their
travel plans in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP.state.gov) so they can receive important messages
about their destination(s), including timely Alerts and updates
to Travel Advisories,” Carmen Hills, Public Affairs Specialist in
the Bureau of Consular Affairs, said. “There are a number of
other ways to receive updates of our safety and security
information, including Twitter (@travelgov) and Facebook
(facebook.com/travelgov). Students can choose the
method that works best for them
at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected.”

The State Department website also lists the location of U.S.

embassies. Both you and your student should put the number
in your phones. The embassy is an American “home base”
where your student can get assistance in an emergency. You
and your student also might want to follow the appropriate
consulate and/or embassy on Facebook and Twitter.
2.
Most students aren’t (yet!) fluent in the language of their host
country, but they should learn basic phrases in advance. This
will make it easier to get around and also foster good will —
people everywhere appreciate attempts to communicate in
their own language. It also makes your student a less obvious
target for crime. Speaking of which…

3.
Pickpockets (who may be well dressed and even speak
English) target tourists in busy places. It won’t always be
possible for your student to avoid crowds, but they must keep
their wallet secure (not in a back pocket) and be cautious
about where and when they open it. Use similar precautions
with cell phones!

Suggest that your student make copies of their passport,

driver’s license, credit cards and airplane ticket and keep one
set in a separate place from the originals and leave another at
home with you. The FBI recommends keeping your passport
with you at all times — theft of American passports is on the
rise. If a hotel requires your student to leave their passport at
the registration desk, they must ask for a receipt and
remember to pick it up when they check out.

4.
Research official buses and taxis (names, price) before
traveling. With any kind of ride/limo service, it’s a good idea
to agree on a fare before entering the vehicle to avoid
confrontation later. Some countries don’t carefully regulate
transportation safety. Ask the host school which services are
trustworthy and reliable.

Both Uber and Lyft operate internationally — check to see if

these will be options.

5.
Not knowing the law doesn’t protect a person from
consequences. Depending on the country, your student
should look into the following:

 Is it legal to take pictures in public places — including of

government buildings? Is political speech (speaking out
against the government) protected?
 Is there attire (especially for females) that is prohibited
or frowned upon?
 If they will drive, will their U.S. license be valid or must
they have an international driver’s license?
 What are the penalties for drinking and driving? (In some
countries it’s illegal even to bicycle while intoxicated.)
 Do cars drive on the right or left side of the road? If left,
your student should practice looking right, left and right
again before crossing a street (the opposite of what
they’re used to). And know that pedestrians may not
have the right of way as they do in the U.S.

It’s always a good idea to respect cultural norms and show

deference to officials. The inside of a foreign police station is
not a place your student wants to visit.
6.
Check your health insurance plan. Is your student covered for
illness and injury abroad and does your plan include medical
evacuation? It might be a good idea to purchase
supplementary travel insurance. Even if your plan covers
doctor visits, your student may have to pay out of pocket and
get reimbursed later. In addition:

1. Research the location of the closest doctor/hospital to

where your student will be living.
2. The CDC’s Travel’s Health Website provides
information about potential health risks and
recommended vaccinations.
3. Be sure to take a sufficient supply of prescribed
medications and essential supplements (like Lactaid for
lactose intolerance).
4. Pack a small first aid kit that includes Bandaids and
commonly used over-the-counter medicines. (You can
find many of these items in other countries, but a
language barrier can make it difficult.)

7.
Free speech and the right to assemble aren’t universal. If your
student gets arrested at an event, they may be found guilty
merely by association. Even if a protest doesn’t get out of
hand, crowds can be unpredictable — it’s easy to get
separated from friends and lost.

8.
Some study abroad programs require students to inform
them of any trips outside the city or country. Insist that your
student tell someone (preferably you) the dates and
destinations of side trips they take while abroad.

Safety items to pack:

 Simple rubber doorstop (to stop a door from being
opened)
 Wallets and passport holders with technology that
protects against RFID-skimming (available at many
stores)
 Portable smoke detector
 Personal safety alarm

Study Abroad programs will have their own safety

recommendations and protocols — encourage your student to
follow them and share information with you.
https://www.collegiateparent.com/health-safety/study-abroad-safety-tips-for-college-students/

Match the headings to the sections.

a) Be smart about public transportation
b) Know the laws of your host country
c) Prepare for health emergencies
d) Register with the State Department
e) Share your itinerary
f) Speak the language
g) Steer clear of demonstrations and protests
h) Watch your wallet

Answer the questions choosing the correct option

1. What is the primary purpose of the State Department's Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP) for study abroad students?
a) To collect tuition fees from study abroad participants.
b) To provide updates and alerts about the student's destination country.
c) To facilitate communication between the State Department and the student's
family.
d) To require students to report their travel plans prior to departure.
2. According to the passage, what is the primary reason the text recommends
that students learn basic phrases in the language of their host country?
a) To avoid being a target for criminal activity.
b) To show off their linguistic skills and impress locals.
c) To ensure they can navigate public transportation effectively.
d) To foster goodwill and demonstrate respect for the local culture.

3. The passage states that students should make copies of certain documents
and keep them separate from the originals. What is the primary reason for doing
this?
a) To avoid losing all the documents if the originals are stolen.
b) To provide proof of identity in case the originals are confiscated.
c) To ensure the copies can be used as backup if the originals are lost or
damaged.
d) To comply with the requirements of the study abroad program.

4. According to the passage, what is the key recommendation regarding how

students should handle their passport while studying abroad?
a) Leave the passport with the hotel's front desk for safekeeping.
b) Carry the passport at all times, as theft of American passports is on the rise.
c) Make a copy of the passport and carry the copy, while leaving the original at
home.
d) Determine if the U.S. passport will be valid in the host country or if an
international license is required.

5. The passage suggests that students should research the laws and cultural
norms of their host country. What is the primary reason for doing this?
a) To avoid inadvertently breaking the law or offending local customs.
b) To ensure they can freely exercise their rights to free speech and assembly.
c) To determine if they need to obtain any special permits or licenses during
their stay.
d) To understand the penalties for engaging in activities that may be legal in the
United States.
6. What is the key recommendation the passage makes regarding side trips or
travel outside the student's host city or country?
a) Students should inform their study abroad program of any such trips.
b) Students should avoid taking side trips or traveling outside the host city.
c) Students should only travel with a group or organized tour, not independently.
d) Students should share their itinerary for any side trips with their parents or
guardians.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why is it important for students studying abroad to register with the State
Department?
2. What precautions should students take to protect their wallets and valuables
from pickpockets while traveling?
3. Why is it crucial for students to familiarize themselves with the laws of their
host country before studying abroad?
4. What steps should students take to prepare for health emergencies while
studying abroad?
5. Why should students avoid participating in demonstrations and protests while
studying abroad?
6. Why is it important for students to share their itinerary with someone when
traveling outside the city or country while studying abroad?

Determine the referents of the words in bold

a) your (intro):
b) we (section 1):
c) their (section 1):
d) this (section 2):
e) which (section 2):
f) it (section 3):
g) it (section 3):
h) these (section 4):
i) they (section 5):
j) it (section 5):
k) it (section 6):
l) them (section 8):
m) them (ending):

Determine the function of the underlined expressions:

a) if (intro): 1) condition – 2) emphasis – 3) addition
b) particularly (intro): 1) condition – 2) emphasis – 3) addition
c) plus (intro): 1) condition – 2) emphasis – 3) addition
d) so (section 1): 1) purpose – 2) example – 3) cause
e) also (section 1): 1) condition – 2) emphasis – 3) addition
f) even (section 3): 1) condition – 2) emphasis – 3) addition
g) like (section 6): 1) purpose – 2) example – 3) cause

Determine the mode of the highlighted modal verbs:

a) Both you and your student should put the number in your phones. (section 1)
b) You and your student also might want to follow the appropriate consulate
and/or embassy on Facebook and Twitter. (section 1)
c) … they must keep their wallet secure… (section 3)
d) … your student may have to pay out of pocket… (section 6)
e) You can find many of these items in other countries, but a language barrier
can make it difficult. (section 6)