Part 1: Safety Abroad

1. Part 1: Safety Abroad

2. Safety Abroad: Types of Risk
Participating in a study abroad program (like just
about everything else in life) involves risk.
Fortunately, a little bit of common sense and
preparation can go a long way in minimizing that risk.
 St. John’s University Office of Global Studies is
here to help!
The next few slides will break down the two major
types of risks you need to be aware of (those you
can prevent and those you cannot). Once we get that
out of the way, we’ll focus on tips to help you avoid
risk and maximize your safety abroad!

3. Inherent Risks
Inherent Risks: In your day-to-day life, there will always be some things that are
out of your control - risks that you can prepare for, but not necessarily prevent.
Living abroad is no different, and many of the inherent risks you’ll encounter in
your host country are the very same ones that you deal with on a daily basis in big
cities like New York. Just like you do when you’re at home, it’s important to know
what risks you might encounter and think ahead of time about how you’d deal with
them.
Inherent risks are those that are unavoidable and outside of your control.
Examples include:
• Illness
• Traffic accidents
• Inclement weather/natural disasters

4. Avoidable Risks
Just as studying abroad carries with it the same inherent risks you’re used to at
home, it also presents avoidable risks: the kinds of risks that you can keep
yourself from ever having to deal with just by using common sense and taking the
appropriate precautions. A lot of these are the same ones that also apply at home --
but some will require a different understanding of cultural norms and/or a greater
sense of awareness of your surroundings; it’s easy to be distracted in an unfamiliar
environment!
Avoidable Risks are the ones that you can drastically reduce or even eliminate
entirely just by using your head and taking the right measures.
Examples include:
• Alcohol/Drug-related incidents. The vast majority of student incidents
abroad involve drugs or alcohol in some way!
• Illegal Cabs: Similar to big cities in the U.S., you’ll want to watch out for
unlicensed taxi drivers who may try to rip you off. Know which ones are
safe and reputable and which ones to stay away from in each city.
• Pick pocketing/Muggings
• Scams

5. Rule # 1 - Keep a Low Profile
Keep a Low Profile – and attract less unwanted attention
So how do you avoid risky situations? One of the best ways is to blend in with the
crowd. As a study abroad student, it can be difficult to travel to different countries
without drawing attention to yourself. By following the advice below, you’ll be able to
attract less attention, which means you’ll be less of a target for pick pockets, petty
crime, scams, etc.
• Try to blend in. The style of dress for many Americans is
quite casual and there are certain clothing items that make it
easier to pick you out of a crowd (flip-flops, sweatpants,
baseball caps, etc). We’re not saying you should buy a
completely new wardrobe, just try not to wear things that scream USA!
• Don’t flaunt expensive items (e.g., digital cameras, iPhones, laptops, jewelry)
• Don’t be the “annoying American,” known for being loud and obnoxious. This tips
you off as a tourist right away, and is sure to draw the attention of anyone looking to
prey on people who don’t know the lay of the land.

6. Rule # 2 - Be aware of your surroundings
• Be wary of unsolicited help and overly friendly strangers -- it may be a scam
• Beware of people bumping and pushing you (a common pickpocket
scheme)
• Always check to make sure you have all of your belongings before leaving
anywhere (e.g., cab, bus, train, restaurant, etc)
• Pay attention to what people around you are saying and doing; if all of the
locals are doing something (or not doing something), there’s probably a
good reason. In this case, it really does pay to “do as the Romans do.”
Always be aware of your surroundings!
The best way to be safe in an unfamiliar environment is to keep your eyes open
and your wits about you – the same common sense that you use in New York
(or wherever you call home) will serve you well while you’re studying abroad:

7. Rule #3 – Take precautions
Take Precautions – it’s always better to be prepared than to be sorry
• Don’t bring or carry unnecessary items that can be stolen. If it’s irreplaceable or you would be lost
without it, don’t bring it.
• Make copies of all important documents before you travel (passport, visa, credit cards, etc.) and email
them to yourself and a loved one. Your efforts will assist with the replacement process if these items
are lost/stolen.
• Never keep all your documents and money in one place or in one suitcase. Keep a spare (emergency
use only) credit card in a separate location.
• Wear a money belt inside your clothing to carry your passport and a spare credit card. Carry all other
items in your front pockets (not rear pockets), or in a bag/purse that’s easy to close, and secure it to
your person. Never leave your bag/purse unattended at tourist attractions, restaurants, cafes or night
life locations!
• You will very rarely need to carry your passport – almost always carrying a copy of your passport will be
enough.
• Don’t carry a lot of cash – use credit cards as much as possible. Don’t flash money or documents in
public places. Try to use small bills to pay for things.
• Avoid dark, unsafe places and walking alone.
• Find out which areas of the city are less safe than others.

8. Rule #4 – Protect your friends
Protect your friends – use the buddy system!
• Always keep an eye on each other and on each
other’s beverages, especially in unfamiliar settings;
date rape drugs are a reality for women and men.
• Be conscious of each other’s actions.
• Don’t leave friends alone in strange places, even if
they’ve made new friends.
• Know who’s in your group, and stick together! If you
go out with five friends, make sure you come home
with the same five friends! Make sure to travel home
on a safe mode of transportation: walking or public
transport (at safe hours) or a registered taxi. Do not
accept rides from strangers – particularly if the driver
has been drinking!
• Notify the on-site staff or program leader if you are
concerned about another program participant’s
whereabouts.

9. Rule # 5 – Know the customs of the host country
Know the cultural norms and customs of your host country
It can go a long way toward keeping you safe – and it’s a big part of being
a gracious guest! You’ll get more details upon your arrival but for now,
here’s what you should know:
• Be sure to learn at least the key phrases in the local language; “hello,”
“goodbye,” “please,” ‘”thank you” and “do you speak English” should be enough
to help you get by, and make locals more willing to go out of their way to help
you.
• Be prepared for everything from food to social interactions to be different from
what you’re used to – and remember, different doesn’t mean worse!
• When all else fails, just pay attention to what everyone else is doing; it
shouldn’t take long to pick up the local customs. Be polite, be attentive and
make an effort to do as the locals do, and you’re likely to find your hosts
friendly and accommodating.

10. Rule # 6 – Do your research!
Do Your Research
• Consult reliable resources to learn more on the countries you’ll be living in and
travelling to. These websites will also identify general security and natural/weather
risks that may affect your destination.
studentsabroad.state.gov
travel.state.gov
www.osac.gov
www.cdc.gov
• Be sure to also check out and bookmark the Student Guide and Study Abroad
Handbook on the Global Studies website! It has important travel and living-abroad
research collected from the students who have studied abroad before you!
http://www.stjohns.edu/global/study-abroad/students/student-guide
Passport Registration
• Anyone studying abroad as part of a Global Studies program is registered with the
U.S. Department of State so they are aware of your presence abroad.

11. Safety Abroad: Real vs. Perceived Emergencies
Real Emergencies
• Pose a genuine and immediate risk
• Have already disturbed the safety and/or well being of others
• Examples:
– Natural or manmade disasters
– Serious physical or emotional illness
– Disappearances or kidnapping
– Terrorist threats and attacks
Perceived Emergencies
• Do not pose an immediate risk to the safety or well being of others but may seem
threatening to family, friends or staff in the U.S.
• Example:
– Sensationalized reporting of an event abroad
– Distortion of information provided to family, friends or SJU staff
Often, things that wouldn’t be a big deal at home seem a lot more serious when they
happen abroad. Of course, it is possible that you’ll encounter a real emergency
while traveling. It’s also important to know the difference and share it with your
parents.

12. Safety Abroad: Emergency Response
FIRST: Contact the on-site staff or faculty/program leaders
• This should always be your first step, because on-site staff are in the best position
to help you solve a problem in the country where you are studying abroad!
• Local emergency numbers are provided during on-site orientations
• On-site staff or program leader will instruct you on the next steps
If you can’t reach someone locally, call the Office of Public Safety in New York
• Available 24/7 at +1-718-990-5252
• Remember that you can always call collect!
Someone from the Office of Global Studies in New York will always be on call in
the event of an emergency.
For medical emergencies, refer to your emergency contact card. In addition to St.
John’s on-site staff, call the appropriate emergency services number for your
country and/or the CISI (insurance company) hotline.
So what steps should you take if an emergency does arise? First, remain calm.
OGS staff is on-call 24/7 to help you deal with anything you might encounter while
you’re abroad.

13. Safety Abroad: What would you do?
Here’s a “what would you do” scenario that we’d like you to consider in the
unfortunate event something similar happens to you.
You get off the bus and realize that your wallet, containing all your credit cards and
personal information, as well as your passport, has been stolen.
• What would you do? (Our recommendations are on the next slide…)

14. Safety Abroad: What would you do?
1. Notify Local Staff. They know what the appropriate next step procedures should be
and help you file a police report and replace your passport if need be.
2. Notify your bank and credit card companies of stolen/lost cards.
3. Notify the U.S. Consulate if your passport is stolen/lost. U.S. Consulates abroad
can expedite the replacement of a lost or stolen passport. Having a copy of the
passport helps facilitate this process even more. You must notify the on-site staff if
your passport is stolen, so that they can work with the OGS team in NY to explore
options for securing a new visa.
4. Before you depart:
• You should notify your bank and credit card companies of your study
abroad plans and the countries you plan on visiting, including your dates of
travel.
• Write down the toll-free numbers located on the backs of all your credit cards
and email them to yourself. It is also a good idea to leave these numbers with
your parents or someone you trust.
• Clean out your wallet before you depart and take out all non-essential items.