Safety Do's & Don'ts while Studying Abroad

While you study abroad, our biggest concern, along with your parent(s)/guardian(s), is your safety! We have all heard the horror stories of study abroad students that get too intoxicated, destroy things, get into physical altercations with others or wander off with strangers. ASA is here to help you make the smartest decisions to ensure your safety and your completion of your time abroad. 

Your safety should also be your biggest concern. And remember to keep an eye out for your friends who may not be making choices that are in their best interest. 

Here are some tips to help you have the safest once in a lifetime experience possible:

Safety tips

• Alcohol impairs your awareness and your judgement. Keep an eye on your drink at all times and watch out for your friends. Don’t leave someone alone or walk home alone! The buddy system is the best system while abroad. Remember to share your location on iMessage if you and your friends have iPhones!

• Take a taxi if you’re going home late at night. Don’t accept rides from strangers, and don’t invite people to your apartment who you just met. Make sure the taxi is marked as such.

• Remember that alcohol and drugs are NOT to be ABUSED! Drunkenness is alcohol abuse and is looked down upon in other countries. A majority of the safety issues students face involve alcohol. STAY SHARP! *Per ASA policy
  

Dating Tips

• If you’re out and someone is flirting with you, ask to take a photo with them! If they’re unwilling, that’s a red flag. Snapchat is a normalized way of taking photos with or of strangers now-a-days. 

• Choose a “designated significant other” so that if you need to get out of a situation, you can bring them in and let the flirter know he/she has no chance with you! Unfortunately this is a necessary step that many young females have to take when they are out dancing or socializing at night.

• If you do meet someone and go on a date, meet in a public spot for the first couple of dates and make sure your friends know where you will be. Don’t hesitate to ask for the “emergency call” from a friend to have an excuse to leave if you need to. 

Theft can happen, so be aware of your surroundings. Pick-pocketing is very common. They want your iPhone and your money! Have a friend be your lookout when you use the ATM. Avoid expensive handbags or jewelry as they attract thieves; anything you’d be safe to lose -- leave it in the States. And keep your passport in a LOCKED suitcase or personal safe in your apartment.

Musts

• Let your Site Director know if you will be traveling (for how long and where)

• Make sure you have all emergency numbers in your phone: police, fire, ASA Site Director, U.S. Embassy, etc.

Don’t let these warnings and tips prevent you from looking forward to studying abroad. Many students run into few, if any, safety issues abroad. Those that did have problems might have been able to avoid such unfortunate events had they followed our tips, but do remember that some situations are unavoidable and things happen even if you check all your boxes and have the senses of a hawk.

Let your Site Director know if you’ve experienced any safety issues while abroad as they are locals and great resources to help you navigate your time abroad as unscathed as possible.