Studying in a foreign country can come with many pitfalls, but the Office of International Programs is hoping to help students avoid most of them.
The office led a seminar yesterday on various precautions involving health, travel, personal safety and security.
Tips presented in the seminar, led by OIP's Pat Miller, included:
n Research the country before you leave. Web sites such as travel.state.gov provide public announcements and warnings.
n Safeguard documents and money. Carry a copy of your passport with you at all times.
n Consider health needs prior to departure. Set up an appointment with the Travel Advisory Program at the Student Health Service to review necessary immunizations and discuss medication availability. Also, visit cdc.gov for information about diseases.
n Check your health-insurance policy to see if it provides for the needs of individuals traveling abroad.
n Avoid uncooked food, including fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled. Drink bottled water.
n Dress conservatively. Know and respect the cultural differences of other countries.
n Stay away from drugs and binge drinking. Penalties for possession and trafficking of drugs are more strict in many foreign countries.
n Do not rent cars.
n Travel in groups.
n Be on your guard when responding to strangers.
n Know how to use a phone in an emergency and know emergency phone numbers.
Miller stressed the importance of taking proactive steps to ensure a successful trip abroad.
"Can I guarantee your safety abroad? No." Miller said. "But we can help by having seminars like this."
She also encouraged those studying abroad to have personal contact with locals.
"Make sure people get to know you as an individual and not just as their stereotype of an American," Miller added.
Seminar attendees, all future study-abroad participants, took note of safety precautions but also voiced concerns.
"I'm really nervous about actually defending our foreign policy," College junior Danielle Vasilescu said. "It would be great to have a class to brush us up on current issues. I'm going to read the newspaper more often."
Vasilescu will be studying in London during the spring semester.
