Pre-Departure Orientation Staying Safe Abroad

While no one can guarantee your health and safety or eliminate all risks from your abroad experience, there are many steps that you can take before and during your travel abroad to educate and prepare yourself, mitigate risk, and increase the likelihood of a safe and healthy international experience.

Review the following to help prepare yourself for a successful and rewarding time abroad:

• Read While Abroad and Register Your Travel sections of the Penn Abroad Health & Safety website

• Read “Overview” and “Security” summaries on the International SOS Country Guide for your abroad location

• Watch the Traveler Training video (bottom of the webpage) on the Penn Global International Travel Guidance site

• Read the safety information detailed below

Depending on where you are traveling, you may be in a place with less, more, or the same level of street crime as in the U.S. Being a foreigner and not knowing the customs and patterns of local behavior may increase the odds of your becoming the victim of crimes such as fraud, robbery, or theft. Safety and security depend to a large degree upon being well prepared, listening and heeding the counsel you are given, being careful, and remaining vigilant.

Follow these essential safety tips while abroad:

• Always be alert and conscious of your behavior. Be discrete and conservative in your actions, dress, conversations, and with personal possessions and electronics.

• Remember that safety in numbers is a good idea wherever you are. Always travel in pairs or small groups for personal or weekend travel. Do not walk alone at night. If you go out with friends, return with friends.

• Avoid environments that increase your risk, including demonstrations, protests, or other potentially volatile situations.

• Be smart with money. Keep your money and credit/ATM cards in a secure location, only carrying as much cash as needed on a daily basis. When using ATM machines, be aware of your surroundings and preference ATM machines located inside buildings if possible.

• Arrange for airport pick-up ahead of time or inform yourself about the public transportation options. If you plan to take a taxi, find the official airport taxi stand rather than accepting help from people waiting around the airport exit.

• Do not impair your judgment through excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs.

• Never rent or drive a vehicle or motorbike while abroad.

• When traveling, leave an itinerary with your resident director, host family, roommate, or employer so someone knows where you are and how to contact you.

• Communicate often. Develop a communication plan with your family so that they know how to reach you, whether it’s an emergency or just to check in.

• Keep abreast of local news. Read local newspapers and magazines and speak with locals to learn about any potential civil unrest.

• Always pay close attention to your surroundings, even when you start to feel comfortable.

Drowning is a leading cause of death of students studying abroad.  There are inherent dangers related to ocean swimming, particularly in developing countries where there may not be lifeguards, proper signage, or emergency services readily available.  Please be sure to: 

• Acknowledge your capability to swim and do not enter into water if you are not trained in swimming. 

• Swim in designated areas with lifeguards present and clear warning systems. 

• Heed all warning signs and flags. 

• Do not consume alcohol before or during swimming activities. 

• Do not swim alone or after dark. 

• Avoid deep sea diving or skin/scuba diving as these high risk activities are excluded from Penn’s travel insurance.

The University's commitment to fostering an environment free from violence and abuse extends to all members of the Penn community traveling abroad. Laws, medical services, and cultural norms surrounding issues of interpersonal violence can be vastly different depending on where you are in the world. Before you travel, familiarize yourself with your host culture's attitudes towards gender roles, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, and religion.

If you or someone you know experiences sexual violence, relationship violence, or stalking while traveling abroad, these Penn resources can provide support and emergency assistance. They can also help you assess any safety concerns if you are considering whether or not to contact local authorities.

You may find that behavior that is considered sexual harassment in the U.S. is socially acceptable behavior in other countries. In some countries, for example, it is not uncommon for women to be loudly appraised, honked at, or addressed in other ways in public that can make them uncomfortable.

Although being culturally sensitive and respectful is an important element of your experience abroad, you do not need to accept behavior that invades your personal boundaries or makes you feel unsafe. Trust your instincts. Use body language, facial expressions, and a firm voice to fend off unwanted attention. Avoid eye contact, which can be seen as an invitation in certain cultures. Carry emergency contact information with you at all times. Engaging in conversation with locals about gender roles and techniques for deflecting unwanted attention can be helpful to prepare for managing these types of situations.

Finally, remember that sexual assault or harassment can take place by a person familiar to you or in a familiar setting, such as: in your host university setting, living arrangements, internship or work placement, etc. For more information, visit the Penn Violence Prevention website.

If drinking, drink responsibly and avoid drugs. In many countries of the world, the legal drinking age is lower than in the U.S. However, just because you may be able to drink legally abroad does not mean that you should abandon your good judgment. Remember that most likely, drugs are illegal in your host country, and in some cases, the penalty for drug crimes can be even more severe than in the U.S. The U.S. Department of State outlines recommendations to help keep you safe when confronted with alcohol and drugs overseas.

Laws and systems of justice are not universal and you will be subject to the laws of your abroad location. Make sure you get to know the local laws in your host country and be sure to obey them at all times. Do not assume that just because something is legal in the United States, that it is legal abroad. Many of the legal protections you may take for granted are left behind when you leave the U.S., and penalties in some countries are much tougher than in the U.S.

Remember, you’re still a Penn student while abroad, so represent yourself and your university well. All of the University's Codes, including the Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence, and Stalking policy, still apply to you. Violations of Penn’s conduct policies while abroad can be reported to the university and investigated by the Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA) or the Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Coordinator.

If you are involved in an emergency abroad, follow these steps:

• Immediately seek a safe environment

• Contact your program director, trip leader, or on-site staff for the most immediate assistance

• Contact International SOS (+1 215 942 8478)

• If appropriate, contact local authorities

• Contact Penn Police (+1 215 573 3333) or additional Penn Abroad 24/7 assistance resources

• Inform family members