Have Fun, Stay Safe
Simple Rules for Studying Abroad
by Amy Derjue

Traveling abroad can be one of the highlights of your auspicious college career. It can open your eyes to new cultures, provide delightful “I was hammered in a foreign country and somehow survived to tell the tale” stories, and it looks really good on your resume to future employers. Without proper planning, however, things can get tricky. But with some easy pre-departure preparation and following some common-sense rules once you arrive, you’re bound to have an awesome experience and memories that last a lifetime.

Before you decide which country you’d like to study in or travel to, be sure to do some research on the region. Just like when you applied to schools in Boston, check the campus safety record of your foreign school. You should also look at the US State Department’s website at www.state.gov for any travel advisories for where you want to travel. For instance, a bulletin on the Jerusalem and the West Bank helpfully warns “Overall, conditions of lawlessness -- including running gun battles and kidnappings -- prevail in the Gaza Strip; daily incidents of intra-Palestinian violence also occur in the West Bank.” While this warning seems obvious, it’s always good to find out your desired location’s current safety.

Even if you visit a fairly safe region of the world, things can happen. Make sure that your insurance covers you overseas. No matter how good your insurance is, some policies will leave you in some remote Finnish hospital trying to communicate while you’re ill or injured and leave you with a huge bill. If your policy doesn’t cover you abroad, be sure to purchase some traveler’s insurance. It may seem like a waste of perfectly good beer money now, but if you get sick you’ll be happy to do without the pints. Also, be sure to get a check-up before you leave and resolve any health issues you have before you depart the United States.

Doing some research on the laws of the country you visit is also important. Once you leave the United States, you’re not protected by our constitution anymore. If you get yourself into trouble, you may find yourself on the business-end of a caning just like Michael Fay did after vandalizing cars in Singapore in 1994. Despite the best efforts of the US government, Fay had to bend over and take his punishment. According to studentsabroad.com, if you find yourself in trouble, you should contact your local American consulate. The simple way to avoid all this trouble is to familiarize yourself with the laws of your new country. Things we take for granted in America may be outlawed in your home away from home and you should obey local rules.

Once you arrive, follow common-sense. When possible, travel with a friend, especially at night. As fun as local laws are regarding the drinking age, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings. Make sure your parents or someone in America knows how to get in touch with you while you’re abroad. Many cell phones have chips that allow them to work in foreign countries, and if you’re in a very remote location it may be worth purchasing a satellite phone so people can reach you.

Just remember, traveling abroad is an amazing experience. By doing some simple preparation before you leave, you’ll be ready for anything. Once you arrive in your adopted country, follow some common-sense rules and you’ll return home with only pictures and souvenirs and an experience that can’t be beat.