Safety Tips for Studying Abroad in College

If you're planning to study abroad, researching what you should expect from the experience is a wise precaution. In particular, you should try to find out as much as can about crime statistics in that country and the quality of the neighborhood in which your university is located. These factors will influence how safe you'll be in a place where you won't know anyone. Additionally, these safety tips will help you protect yourself.

Always Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Whether you choose to study in Canada or a more exotic location, it's important to always remain aware of your surroundings. Before you leave your apartment or dorm room, you should plot out your route on a map and know where you're going. Additionally, it can be helpful to talk to someone with thorough knowledge of the places you'll be visiting. If you do find that you're suddenly lost, don't wander around aimlessly. Use the GPS on your phone to help you get back to more familiar territory. You should also try to stick to commercial areas, where there are plenty of well-lit businesses.

Practice Good Traffic and Transportation Safety

Staying safe in an unfamiliar city isn't just about avoiding criminal activity. You should also be aware that traffic laws will be different from those that you are familiar with in your native country. They may drive on the opposite side of the road, and how drivers and pedestrians interact may also differ. Familiarizing yourself with traffic laws in your new city will help you stay safer. Whether you're jogging, riding a bicycle, or driving a rental car, you should know what to expect when you're using the public roads in a new place.

Keep Abreast of Current Events

It's also a good idea to keep up with current events and local news as you live and study abroad. If you're not aware of the events in your city, you could find yourself walking into a riot or a political protest. In addition to risking serious injuries, this could put you at risk of being arrested just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. If violence erupts, you could also be risking your physical safety. In less extreme circumstances, being unaware of local events could cause you to run into roadblocks that will delay your arrival at school or to a job.

Keep Your Finances Secret

If this will be your freshman year in college, independent living may be a new experience for you. In that case, you may not know to keep your finances secret. It's a good idea to avoid discussing your money situation with anyone. You should also be cautious about handling your money in public. Keep your money in a wallet or purse and, when paying for something in cash, only take out the money you need for the purchase. You should also be secretive in handling your credit and debit cards. When using an ATM, step close to the machine to ensure anyone behind you won't see what keys you're using. If you have valuable jewelry, avoid wearing those items out in public. Especially when you're alone, your goal should be to draw as little attention to yourself as possible.

Make Sure Someone Knows Your Plans

You should always let someone know where you'll be going and when you'll be back. If you don't have a friend or roommate you can trust, you should email a parent or friend in your hometown to let them know your schedule. If they don't hear from you within a predetermined time frame, they will know to contact the authorities in your city for help. While accidents and criminal attacks may be rare, it's better to prepare for them to ensure you'll get help if you happen to need it. Your plan should involve taking a fully charged phone with you, knowing some self-defense techniques, and making others aware of your activities.

Safety is an important concern as you go to school and study in a foreign country. However, you shouldn't let your concern for your safety become an obsession that prevents you from enjoying the positive experiences of studying abroad. You can take some common-sense precautions to stay safe and still enjoy your time living and learning in a new culture far from home.