Travel Safety: Planning Your Trip Abroad

Each semester, many students travel abroad in pursuit of education, humanitarian service, religious pilgrimage and fun.  In these days of terrorism and widespread political unrest, it’s important to consider safety when making your travel plans.  A little planning can put you one step closer to a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

Before you make travel plans, it may be a good idea to check with the Duke Student Health Travel Clinic.  While the United States government does not require immunization for traveling abroad, getting certain vaccines may be in your best interest. The Duke Student Health Travel Clinic can help you with those decisions.  Clinicians will consider your potential itinerary, including rural or urban travel, purpose of travel, length of stay, and your immunization record.  In addition to travel immunizations, the clinic can provide you with information important for protecting your safety and health while traveling.  Even if you’re not completely certain where you’ll be traveling, the clinic can provide you with basic information to help you plan ahead. They will offer recommendations to help you remain safe and healthy while traveling.

You can also check with the United States Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  The Bureau’s website – http://travel.safety.gov – can be your direct source of information for travel abroad.  If you need a passport and visa, this website offers “how-to” information.  New rules require passports for travel among North American countries.  Know what you need and how long it takes to get it.  You don’t want to get stuck waiting for a passport or visa.  It’s more expensive to expedite the processing of your applications.  Avoid these scenarios by planning ahead.

Also, there are consular information sheets on the most popular destinations.  In addition to requirements for entry and exit, consular information sheets offer up-to-date country descriptions and information on crime, safety, security, medical facilities, health, travel safety, road conditions and U.S. embassy locations.  It’s important to understand the laws, customs and political status of the countries in which you’ll travel.

While the odds are in your favor for a safe and enjoyable trip, there are precautionary measures that you can take to protect yourself and ensure your safety:

Safety Begins When You Pack^*:

• Do not dress so as to mark yourself as an affluent tourist. Leave your valuables at home.
• Always try to travel light.  You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
• Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. One of the safest places to carry valuables is in a pouch or money belt worn under your clothing.
• If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair.  Bring them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.
• To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers.  Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.  If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug.
• Bring travelers checks and one or two major credit cards instead of cash.
• Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.
• Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage.  Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality.
• Consider getting a telephone calling card that you can use from your overseas location.  It is a convenient way of keeping in touch.

Make Arrangements Before You Go:

• As much as possible, plan to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security.  Safety experts recommend booking a room from the second to seventh floors above ground.
• When there is a choice of airport or airline, ask your travel agent about comparative safety records.
• Have your affairs in order at home.  If you leave a current will, insurance documents, and power of attorney with your family or a friend, you can feel secure about traveling and will be prepared for any emergency that may arise while you are away.
• It is a good idea to register your travel with the State Department so that you may be contacted if need be, whether because of a family emergency in the U.S., or because of a crisis in the area in which you are traveling - https://travelregistration.state.gov.
• Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card that you bring, and avoid charging over that limit while traveling.  Americans have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit.  Ask your credit card company how to report the loss of your card from abroad.  1-800 numbers do not work from abroad, but your company should have a number that you can call while you are overseas.
• Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad.  Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad.  Consider purchasing a policy designed for travelers, and covering short-term health and emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.

 Safety Precautions While You’re There:

• Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. 
• Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets and try not to travel alone at night.
• Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
• Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers.
• Beware of pickpockets.  They often have an accomplice who will attempt to distract you.
• Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them handy in written form so that you can signal your need for police or medical help. 
• Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: police, fire, your hotel, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
• If confronted, don't fight back -- give up your valuables. 
• Ask permission before taking photographs.
• Avoid travel to areas where there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnappings.   
• If you become the victim of a crime overseas, contact the nearest U.S. embassy, consulate, or consular agency for assistance.  Also contact local police.

Remember, it’s never too early to start planning for a trip.  Following these precautions will help to ensure your safety and enjoyment while traveling abroad.  If you are considering travel outside of the United States^**, call 681-WELL to make an appointment with the Duke Student Health Travel and Immunization Clinic.

*Safety tips were adapted from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs - http://travel.state.gov/.

** Only people traveling to developing countries may need a travel appointment at the Duke Student Health Travel and Immunization Clinic.  Appointments are not needed for travel to Western Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.  Visit http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for country specific information.