Study Abroad Safety Tips for Female Students

By Sara E. Savage

Studying abroad is often associated with excitement, growth, cultural awareness. It is rarely associated with danger.

Negative stories do exist, but most are a direct result of students not taking some of the simplest precautions. In other words - the negative incidents were often highly avoidable. A good way of thinking about study abroad safety is, if you wouldn't do it at home, you shouldn't do it while overseas. Much of remaining safe has to do with trusting your instincts, as well as with projecting a confident and assertive attitude.

When it comes to safety, however, it's true that female students have more to consider than their male counterparts. You need to be more vigilant about your surroundings than you would be on your home campus or in your hometown. Of course you will want to avoid taking shortcuts and routes which are off the beaten path, especially late at night. You also want to travel around with at least one other person, and you should not respond to or even acknowledge cat calls or bizarre behavior from the locals. And always give up your valuables if caught in a criminal situation. In fact, as you can see, much of staying safe abroad is common sense.

Awareness and Research

One of the main things you can do while abroad is become more aware of yourself and your surroundings. Having the ability to observe what is going on around you is an essential skill to have while studying abroad. David S. Katz, president and CEO of the Global Security Group, has written an article titled "Personal Safety for Women Traveling Abroad on Business," in which he calls this awareness of personal security a "state of relaxed alertness." He stresses that women are not advised to be paranoid, but rather to be more aware. This is an important distinction, because female students should not live in fear while studying abroad, which is meant to be an exciting and fun experience.

Doing research on your study abroad destination is crucial to learning how to stay safe while abroad. Information is available about security warnings, crime rates and political stability. The U.S. State Department offers up-to-date travel alerts and information on most foreign countries. Be sure to locate the nearest U.S. embassies and consulates at your destination. You can visit foreignborn.com to view a list of embassies and consulates by country on the website, as well as access travel information on visas and passports.

Keep in mind that while consulates can help you in the event of an emergency, illness, injury or other situations, they cannot cash checks for you, lend you money or provide you with legal counsel. Consulates can help you replace a stolen passport, contact family and friends, and obtain appropriate medical care. They can also help you to obtain general information about the local criminal justice process, as well as to obtain a list of local attorneys who speak English.

Study abroad students should register their travel with the State Department. This way they can be reached in the event of a family emergency back home. Registration is free and can be done online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.

You should also research the roles that women play in the country in which you will be studying. Women have different, often less-independent roles from country-to-country. Female study abroad students should look into the cultural norms and religious codes that can dictate safety concerns for them. Find out what behavior, dress, etc., is acceptable for women in your destination country. It is also helpful to speak with students who have returned from studying abroad (especially if they have studied in your destination country), as they will share their experiences and give you advice on safety precautions.

New Culture, New Safety Concerns

Female study abroad students should be culturally sensitive, but not to the detriment of their safety. You want to be open-minded but not to the extent that you place yourself in danger. Things that may seem innocuous in your culture may be a big deal in another country. In some countries, American women are stereotyped, due in large part to the ways in which they are portrayed in Hollywood films.

Find out what strategies the local women use to keep safe and to stave off unwanted male advances, as well as what comes across as a romantic gesture. Eye contact is important when it comes to dealing with men in foreign countries. Men may believe that you are flirting with them if you maintain eye contact longer than a second or two. On the flipside, eye contact may also be considered disrespectful in certain cultures.

When you reach your study abroad home, locate the nearest police station and hospital. Take any issues or concerns you may have while abroad to your program director or university administrators. If you are feeling harassed or being made uncomfortable by another person, don't feel compelled to deal with the disturbance in a pleasant manner. Sometimes people need to be told directly and bluntly to refrain from bothering you.

Become as familiar as possible with the foreign currency you will be using while studying abroad. You may want to consider wearing a money belt around your belt loops to carry your cash and identification. Another idea is to sew a money pocket into the inside of your bra to keep your currency safe. Carrying a single credit card, as well as photocopies of your identification and important documents, is also advised.

And when it comes time to tip someone, have the tip ready in advance. If you are paying cash in, for example, a restaurant or Laundromat, be careful not to expose your money to anyone watching. And never exchange currency with native individuals on the street who offer to "help" you. More and more countries are offering ATMs where you can use your own American credit card to get foreign currency, and you are wise to withdraw money in small amounts, so as not to attract any robbers who might be watching you at the ATM or in other public places.

Other Safety Advice for Females Studying Abroad

Be sure to study street maps, and if you decide to carry one on your person, carry a pocket-sized map so you look less like a tourist. If you need directions, your best bet is to ask women and families, and you may even say that you are meeting up with your husband at the destination about which you are inquiring. Every female study abroad student should avoid bringing strangers back to her housing. The place where you stay should be a safe haven for you, and taking people whom you don't know well to your new home is not the best idea.

Try to avoid wearing jewelry of any type, as even cheap chains can attract thieves. Some unmarried women traveling abroad opt to wear a fake wedding ring to discourage male attention. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing in neutral colors, as well as to attempt to dress like the local women. Flashy and expensive clothing will cause you to stand out. Your time studying abroad is not the time to make a fashion statement.

The most common type of crime encountered overseas is likely pickpocketing. Pickpockets may work in pairs, and also may ask you for directions or otherwise distract you. Even though you may wish to be helpful to others while studying abroad, hesitate when offering your assistance. Even children in foreign countries may take advantage of foreign visitors.

This information may seem overwhelming, but it is necessary. The aim is not to instill fear in female study abroad students, but to provide them with details they need in order to enjoy a safe, exciting experience overseas. Yes, this article can make the idea of studying abroad seem daunting, but the experience will be one of the most thrilling, magical times of your life.

You will find that your study abroad program and host university have taken extensive measures to ensure your comfort and safety. For more information on safety precautions for females studying abroad, check out the Canadian publication "Her Own Way" online. It provides female students with detailed information on health and safety while traveling overseas.

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