Know the Essentials

THE ESSENTIALS

In order to maximize your experience, there are certain basic guidelines to follow to assure you are able to fully experience and enjoy the new culture and country.

Stay Safe

Staying safe in a foreign country typically involves many of the elements that staying safe anywhere involves. The general rule of thumb is, "If it is stupid in Cincinnati, it is stupid in Singapore!" Now this may sound like common sense, but many students leave for foreign countries and seem to think that they can act in a way that they would never consider acting at home, which is fairly silly.

One note with this, however: If you are used to a very rural or suburban environment and have traveled to a big city for variety, you may need to keep that switch in mind. It would not necessarily be accurate to say "If it is safe in Backwater Town US, it is safe in Big Foreign City."

Stay Healthy

In some countries food and water can be the biggest dangers, and obviously, you cannot just avoid them as you would try to avoid most dangers!

If you are in a country that may have suspect food, the traditional rule can be summarized: "Peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it!" Those salad fanatics in the group will not be thrilled with this rule.

Probably the best way of figuring out what is safe or potentially dangerous is to talk to your adviser, host family, or local friends who all may be able to give you advice. Water may also be a problem, the most common solution being bottled water and avoiding tap water as well as ice! (A consideration many forget.) However, problems with diarrhea are common for people traveling to a new country with the potential for drinking water issues. If you find yourself a victim, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and have some stomach medication handy. You may want to consider visiting a doctor before going abroad to obtain prescription medications that will help if you contract a more serious stomach ailment.

Speaking of doctors, visiting one before you go abroad is a good idea in general! Anytime you are going someplace new, make sure you are in top condition before you leave. This will avoid you discovering a problem that could have been prevented after you are already out of reach of familiar medical care. You may find the services where you are studying abroad to be of lesser quality than you would prefer so trying to avoid needing them is always the best plan. You may also need vaccinations for certain study abroad destinations, which will require visiting a doctor, possibly several months in advance.

Obeying the Law

Once again, if it is stupid here, it is stupid there. Although the laws may be different abroad, it is just as stupid to break the law abroad as it is here. In fact, many countries have steeper penalties for some crimes than you would experience in the United States, and while in the country you are responsible for following those laws.

Knowledge is key. You want to know the laws so that you can follow them. A little pre-trip research will help here as well as talking to your adviser to determine if there are any surprises you might encounter.

Alcohol

We are not going to lecture you about alcohol use. Two brief comments: First, laws regarding alcohol and public drunkenness may vary by country so be aware of them. Second, drinking responsibly will keep you out of unnecessary problems and a number of bad situations. (Another fact that is true both here and there.)

Spending Reasonably

Another little hint for general satisfaction abroad is to spend reasonably. The currency rate may be against you to begin with, and there are going to be a plethora of new and interesting things to try and places to go. Probably the best way of handling these pressures is to develop a reasonable budget that allows you to experience the country without going broke in the process. You do not want to be living on beans for the last month of your trip or not be able to visit that stunning temple because you cannot afford the train fare.

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