As exciting as your student travel will be, it’s important not to forget to take steps to ensure your personal safety while traveling. Travel insurance will help you when travel mishaps occur, but many situations can be avoided by traveling smartly. By planning ahead and staying attuned to your surroundings you can have a much more enjoyable trip.
Here are a few tips to stay safe while abroad:
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Make sure you have a copy of your passport. If the original is stolen, lost or damaged during the trip, this will help you get a new one quickly.
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Know the location of the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy, as well as their contact information. Most likely if you’re traveling with your school, they will make sure you’re aware of this but it never hurts to make sure ahead of time.
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Familiarize yourself with the laws in your foster country. While overseas you’ll be subject to the laws of the country you will be visiting. These can be very different from what you’re used to at home. Keep in mind some customs may seem optional, but if not observed may cause problems for you.
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Understand how your primary health insurance will cover you while abroad. Many providers in the U.S. will only offer limited benefits or no protection at all and few medical providers will include medical evacuation. If they will not cover you during your trip, the All Inclusive policy from InsureMyTrip for Education will provide these benefits for medical emergencies.
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Travel in groups. Sometimes no matter what you do to blend in, you are still stick out as a tourist. This could make you a target for thieves. You minimize the risk of becoming a victim by traveling with one or more companions.
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Bring a map/GPS device with you wherever you go. This could be folded up in your back pocket or in your phone. Remember, you can’t call your mom if you get lost.
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Don’t flash your cash. We know you are probably traveling with enough money to get you through the duration of your trip. Don’t bring all of it wherever you go. Some advice to consider: use a credit card, which can be canceled if lost or stolen. If that’s not an option, look into travelers’ checks. At the very least, don’t bring more money than you need for your outing.
