Click here to access some tips on Traveling Safely Abroad (pdf 15kb)

Where are you travelling?

While most of Europe remains a safe place to travel, there are the inevitable places to which you probably shouldn't travel. This does not mean countries in particular, although if you are concerned about any of the countries you plan to visit the best place you can check is the US State Department website for international travel (http://travel.state.gov/). They regularly post warning about unsafe places to travel as well as basic travel safety tips for Americans abroad. The State Department also send us these travel warnings and if we think any of them relate to places students might be likely to travel we will post tem. This is not intended in any way to alarm travellers but to bring your attention to travel safety. We receive travel warnings from time to time for various Euorpean countries, largely related to geo-political summits behind held in popular capital cities, for example, and these warnings are intended to alert travellers to the possibility of safety concern.

Pickpockets

Pickpockets make a great living from tourists in European "hotspots" such as Italy, Paris, Amsterdam, Spain, etc. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. It is often a good idea to invest in one of the money pouches that are worn underneath clothing for safe keeping. It is a bad idea to keep your wallet in your back pocket or top shirt pockets. That's easy access for a pickpocket. If you carry a handbag/purse, we recommend you wrap the strap around your arm or wear it over your shoulder and across your chest. Regardless, keep a watchful eye on any of your bags.

Watch out for your friends and don't be afraid to challenge anyone getting too close. If you look confident and look like you know what you're doing most people will not even consider you a "target". Be confident!

Don't be the "loud American"

Unfortunately, in large groups, any nationality can appear to be loud and obnoxious travellers. Given the current world climate it is even more important to stress the idea that, as travellers, it is a good idea to try to blend into your surroundings. The simplest thing is to remember you are guests in these countries and respect that fact.

Some Quick Tips:

• Travel in small groups. Large groups only draw more attention and "push the volume up".
• Clothing. Believe it or not, it is usually quite easy to spot young Americans in Europe by the way they dress. Leave the university logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, and baseball caps at Harlaxton - they are a complete giveaway. Go out on a limb - dress European.
• Volume. Be aware of how loud you are being as this often prodcues very anti-social attitudes.
• Opinions. You are here to experience new cultures, that is what travelling is largely about. Accept that not everything is going to be like it at home and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Loud negative comments also draw attention to your group. Discussing political opinions with locals can be intriguing but don't let it cross over into disagreement! Be wary.
• Alcohol. By all means, go out and sample a few of the local drinks. Please drink with safety in mind. How are you going to get back to your hotel/hostel? Your judgement is impaired once you've had a few, so keep this in mind.
• Safety in numbers. Stay with friends - do not wander off by yourself!
• "Bad Spots". Sleeping train stations is not a good idea. Train stations in Europe are areas which are often in a rough part of town during the evenings. By day they are fine, but night they are rough. Use your common sense to judge whether an area looks safe at night.
• Above all else, use common sense.

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