Safety - Study Abroad Pre-Departure - Grand Valley State University


Padnos International Center Study Abroad Pre-Departure International Students International Scholars
Introduction Welcome Letter Before Departure Pre-Departure Checklist Visa Information Insurance Information Power of Attorney Money Tips Packing Calling Home Skype PicCell Wireless Brightroam Calling Cards Partnership Program Information Academic Policies Course Equivalency Financial Aid Flight Information Flight Arrangements Airline Information Baggage Regulations Tips Immigration and Customs Information Fighting Jet Lag Health & Safety Health Information Safety Culture Shock Immunizations Info on the Mexican Flu (Swine Flu) Info on the Avian Flu Links Know Your Destination How informed are you? Language Preparation Education Systems Glimpse.org While You're Abroad Do You Know What To Do? On-Site Orientation Checklist Be A Good Representative Communication Homestay Tips Gifts Gender Issues Minority Student Issues Embassies and Consulates Hostelling International Assumption for Risk and Release for Off Campus Activities After Your Return Check in with PIC upon your return GVSU International Mentoring Program GVSU Cultural Organizations Connect to other students University Policies Barbara H. Padnos International Center 130 Lake Ontario Hall Allendale, MI 49401 Phone: 616-331-3898 Fax: 616-331-3899 studyabroad@gvsu.edu	Safety Studying abroad involves some risk. You will be a newcomer in a strange environment. With this in mind, we encourage you to be well-prepared by reading the information available in your orientation packet and by talking with others who have gone through a similar experience. It is critical that you take your street smarts with you on your study abroad program. When you arrive at your host institution, you will realize that there is a lot to learn about your new surroundings. Using your common sense and street smarts will help you adjust to your new environment. During your on-site orientation, you should be provided with information on areas to be avoided. If not, ask! You will need to learn the local transportation system in order to get around. This can be frustrating at first, but give it time. Soon you will become familiar with how to get where you need to go. Learn to blend in with your surroundings. In many cases, it will be obvious that you are not a local, however, pay close attention to how the locals act, how they dress, and how they deal with various situations. This will help you not only acclimate to the new environment, but it will send a message that you are familiar with how things are done. It is critical that you portray confidence and comfort. You will be less of a target if it seems that you are confident with your surroundings. Some locals may try to take advantage of you by charging higher prices for services. A common example is cab fare. Learn what a local person would pay and negotiate a price before getting into a cab. Only use cabs that are clearly marked and identified as a reputable provider. Common Safety Tips Every so often, GVSU students participating on study abroad programs run into complications concerning their safety. In most cases, events take place in the evening and/or when students are alone. Below are some important tips that we advise you to consider while on your study abroad program. While there are never any guarantees on one's safety, taking these precautions will increase your chances for an incident-free trip. Do not carry a purse or camera from your wrist; for purses, it is recommended that you use a bag that crosses in front of you. Keep your hands on it at all times. For wallets, keep them in your front pocket, not your back pocket. It is highly recommended that you invest in a money pouch that attaches either around your waist or that goes around your neck. Money belts are difficult to detect under clothes and can provide added security to credit cards, I.D. cards, cash and other valuables. Backpacks and big purses can be targets. If you carry a backpack, consider carrying it in front of you and not on your back. It could be very easy for someone to cut the bottom of your bag open and grab items from the bottom. It is also easy for someone to unzip your bag and take important items. Always keep a hand or foot in a loop or strap when you put it down. It only takes a brief second for someone to ruin your trip. If you do become a victim of theft, be sure to get a police report documenting the loss. Do not show off your valuables such as jewelry, cameras, wallets, or other items that indicate you may be financially well off. Do not take things on your study abroad program that you would be upset to lose. If it is valuable to you, it may be best to leave it at home. Do your best to try and blend into the local environment. In some locations this will be easier than in others. One way of learning the local customs and norms is to observe the local people around you and mimic their behavior. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you. You cannot predict whether or not you may be a target for theft. Thieves can be watching local ATM machines from a distance and target those individuals. Do not carry your passport unless you absolutely need to. A photocopy will work for most local travel and day-to-day use. If you are crossing the border to another country, make sure you are carrying your passport and that you have a visa (if necessary). Do not hitchhike. Do not walk or ride the bus alone at night; your safety is worth spending the extra money on a cab. When traveling, pay attention to the location in which you are staying. Some very affordable accommodations may not be in the best location. It will be worth the money to stay in a more secure location. Find a travel partner; do not travel alone. Provide your family, friends, host family, or your program director with an itinerary of your travel plans. Make reservations in a hotel or hostel before you arrive in each city you plan to visit. Do not answer your door in a hotel room without verifying who it is. Keep all doors and windows locked and do not invite strangers into your room. Stay informed regarding developments in your host country and in the world. U.S. foreign policy does impact how others may treat you. If you plan to travel to other countries, contact the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy to find out what the situation is at your destination. If the United States or any other country decides to go to war, stay clear of all areas where political and military action is taking place. It is recommended that you limit your visits to common American establishments. It is to your advantage to find places where you are able to integrate into the local environment. Stay clear of all public demonstrations. You never know when a peaceful demonstration could turn violent. In addition, you may be in violation of local law and be subject to criminal charges. Avoid illegal drugs. You are subject to the laws of the host country in which you are traveling. There is little the American Embassy can do on your behalf in a situation where you have broken a foreign law. Laws in many other countries are more severe than in the United States and your rights may be very different. Find out what the local laws and customs are. Activities that are legal in one country may not be legal in others. For additional information on safety issues abroad visit: http://www.studyabroad.com/handbook/safety.html http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1180.html http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/HotSpots.asp http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_network.sec/education_abroad_1/education_abroad_2/document_library_7/health_safety_in_education/responsible_study_abroad_2
	Last Modified Date: April 2, 2009
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