Travel Safety For Students

Travel safety for students should be of interest to students studying abroad and/or students on Spring Break overseas.

Many students are very careless when in foreign countries; some because they are away from the watchful eye of family members and others because they indulge alcohol (because of lower drinking ages).

However, over indulgence and rebellion can be dangerous. Many males are robbed while intoxicated and females fall victim to sexual assaults.

Students should be careful not to drink excessively. If you’re going to drink make sure that you do not go alone. You should never leave your drink unattended while in bars. If you do so, criminals may be able to lace your drink with drugs like scopolamine.

Under no circumstances should you drink and drive. Many countries have very strict drunk driving laws. Besides getting arrested, you could seriously injure or kill yourself or others while driving and driving.

Did you know that travel safety statistics show that over 2,500 Americans are arrested abroad each year for drug or alcohol related charges?

Speaking of drugs, students should refrain from using, purchasing, selling, or transporting narcotics while abroad (and while at home for that matter). Drug laws vary in each country and can be more severe than your home country.

Some countries have penalties as high as life in prison or corporal punishment for small amounts of drugs.

Are you a parent with children living or visiting abroad? Information for parents is available.

If you are a student traveling abroad, the best advice I can give you is this: Act as if you would in your home country.

Being in a foreign country does not give you the right to conduct yourself in a manner that can endanger yourself or others.