Safety concerns for students traveling abroad

Students planning to leave the country for the humanities tour or for a semester abroad program should be cautious of travel safety and protocol.

Problems arise when Americans travel and are unaware of a foreign country’s laws or customs that differ from those of the United States. They may easily become prey to a crime, or unknowingly commit a crime.

More than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad each year, and about half of these cases are for narcotic charges. Possession of some drugs permitted in one country may be illegal in a neighboring nation.

A media note published by the Bureau of Consular Affairs Office of the U.S. Department of State stated, “Some young people are victimized because they are unaware of the laws, customs or standards of the country they are visiting.” Individuals planning to leave the United States are responsible for understanding the drug laws of a foreign country before traveling because a claim of ignorance will not minimize or pardon a jail sentence.

Alcohol also frequently causes problems for U.S. citizens who travel abroad. Students have been arrested for intoxication in public areas and drunk driving.

“Some young Americans go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct, believing that they are immune from prosecution in foreign countries because they are American citizens,” stated the Bureau of Consular Affairs. However, Americans who break laws while visiting other countries may be indeed face harsh consequences, including prison sentences.

Besides being arrested, the U.S. Department of State warns young Americans to be aware of safety risks while abroad because many countries do not exercise the same standards of security and supervision as those of the United States.

Travelers are advised to be cautious where they are more likely to be victimized, such as crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places and festivals.

“I do not allow (students) to go anywhere by themselves,” said Associate Professor of Humanities Charlene Kiser who will be leading the humanities tour this summer. “I also have all the students off the streets at a decent hour unless they’re with me. Most of the cities we visit have pickpockets, and they tend to be worse at night.”

The Bureau of Consular Affairs stated, “Common sense should prevail in any activity in which young Americans engage so that safety hazards may be minimized.”