International travel can be a harrowing experience – long flights, multiple layovers, luggage issues, language barriers, and the like are enough to rattle even seasoned travelers. Another genuine concern is safety when abroad. Fortunately, there are resources available which provide valuable information both on avoiding trouble when traveling overseas, as well as what to do in the event trouble finds you. Here are a few suggestions for safe travels.
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Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive security messages; this also makes it easier for you to be found in the event of an emergency.
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Review the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts online.
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Read up on the country you will be visiting for area-specific considerations. You can find this information on the U.S. State Department’s website, where you can also find contact information for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at your destination.
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Register with your Embassy. This alerts the Embassy as to where you are and can save time should you need to report anything or require assistance of any kind.
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Make sure a responsible party in the U.S. has a copy of your flight itinerary, hotel information, etc., in case of an emergency.
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Keep copies of all your travel documents in the event that you lose the originals.
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Use your own best judgment! Think of the advice you would give a loved one traveling abroad, and take it yourself.
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Take the advice of knowledgeable resources, like those mentioned above, or colleagues, friends, etc., who may have traveled to your destination before. Before you depart, ask them questions about their trips to the region so you have that much more information.
The world, and traveling it, can be very dangerous. Certain dangers are beyond our control, but many dangers can be minimized through preparedness and plain common sense. Once you have gathered your information and taken the recommended precautions, you can enjoy your trip abroad and the attractions your destination offers!
