Section C – Useful Information for Study Tour Coordinators
2.1 Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings: The U.S. Department of State monitors the political and safety climate of countries around the world and provides an overview of conditions pertaining to travel in each country for U.S. citizens. This information is available on their website at: http://travel.state.gov
(back to top)
2.2 Consular Information Sheets: provide information for every country in the world including safety risks, entry requirements, and the location of U.S. Embassies and Consulates. You should also refer to the Consular Information Sheets for the countries you may visit during independent travel.
(back to top)
2.3 Public Announcements: Public announcements are issued, as the need arises, to update Consular Information Sheets and highlight issues of concern or risk in a specific country.
(back to top)
2.4 Travel Warnings and Background Notes: Travel warnings are issued when travel to a particular country or region is deemed unsafe by the U.S. Department of State or when severe risks to American citizens abroad are perceived.
The Department of State also publishes background notes on approximately 170 countries with information on each country’s culture, history, geography, economy, government, and current political situation; they often include a reading list, travel notes, and maps. A number of other publications of interest to students are available from their website or may be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20420; tel. (202) 512-1800.
(back to top)
2.5 Embassy Registration: It is encouraged that you register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to your program site. In case of civil unrest or a natural disaster, this makes it easier for emergency information to be relayed to those who need it and plan for evacuation of U.S. citizens, if necessary.
(back to top)
2.6 Emergencies Abroad: U.S. Embassies and Consulates are located in every country of the world with which the United States has diplomatic relations. The Bureau of Consular Affairs helps U.S. citizens during a crisis abroad, such as natural disasters, political upheavals, and acts of terrorism.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs also provides emergency services to individual travelers, such as:
- Replacing lost or stolen passports
- Locating doctors or clinics for emergency medical care
- Contacting friends or family at home for money transfers if you become destitute
- Visiting you in jail if you are arrested
(back to top)
2.7 Protection Against Terrorism:
From the U.S. Department of State, “A Safe Trip Abroad.”
Terrorist acts occur randomly and unpredictably, making it impossible to protect one-self absolutely. The first and best protection is to avoid travel to unsafe areas where there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnapping. The vast majority of foreign states have good records of maintaining public order and protecting residents and visitors within their borders from terrorism.
Most terrorist attacks are the result of long and careful planning. Just as a car thief will first be attracted to an unlocked car with the key in the ignition, terrorists are looking for defenseless, easily accessible targets who follow predictable patterns. The chances that a tourist, traveling with an unpublished program or itinerary, would be the victim of terrorism are slight.
Nevertheless, the following pointers may help you avoid becoming a target of opportunity. These precautions may provide some degree of protection, and can serve as practical and psychological deterrents to would-be terrorists.
- Schedule direct flights, if possible and avoid stops in high-risk airports or areas. Consider other options for travel, such as trains.
- Be aware of what you discuss with strangers or what may be overheard by others.
- Try to minimize the time spent in the public area of an airport, which is a less protected area. Move quickly from the check-in counter to the secured areas. On arrival, leave the airport as soon as possible.
- As much as possible, avoid luggage tags, dress and behavior which may identify you as an American.
- Keep an eye out for suspicious abandoned packages or briefcases. Report them to airport security or other authorities and leave the area promptly.
- Avoid obvious terrorist targets such as places where Americans and Westerners are known to congregate.
(back to top)
2.8 Laws of the Host Country:
Foreign visitors are subject to all local and national laws of their host country. This applies to your host country and in any other country you may visit. Do not expect any special treatment or assistance if you violate any laws. You can be arrested overseas for actions that may be either legal or considered minor infractions in the United States. If you are arrested abroad, the U.S. Consular Officer can visit you in jail, give you a list of local attorneys, notify friends and/or family, protest mistreatment or abuse to local authorities, and see that your rights under local laws are fully observed, but they CANNOT demand your immediate release or get you out of jail, represent you at trial or give legal counsel, or pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds.
Some of the offenses for which U.S. citizens have been arrested abroad are:
- Drug Violations
- Possession of Firearms
- Photography Infractions (at border areas, military installations, and government buildings)
- Purchasing Antiques (if considered a national treasure; you may be required to prove purchases are reproductions or secure necessary export permits)
(back to top)
2.9 Illegal Drugs Abroad:
Each year, 25,000 Americans are arrested overseas. One third of the arrests are on drug-related charges. If you are caught with drugs there is very little that anyone can do to help you, and often the penalties are much harsher than in the U.S. including weeks, months or life in prison, even the death penalty in a growing number of countries including Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey. In some countries, anyone caught with even a small quantity for personal use may be tried and receive the same sentence as the large-scale trafficker.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women arrested abroad. The rise is the result of women who serve as drug couriers or “mules” in the belief that they can make quick money and have a vacation with less likelihood of getting caught.
The burden of proof in many countries is on the accused to prove his/her innocence – the concept of “innocent until proven guilty” is an American construct. The police and custom officials have the right to search your luggage for drugs. If they find drugs in your suitcase, you will suffer the consequences. Therefore,
- If anyone asks you to carry or even just watch a package, JUST SAY NO!
- If someone offers you a free trip and some quick cash for bringing back a suitcase, JUST SAY NO!
(back to top)
2.10 Securing Your Valuables – Passport:
Guard your passport, visas and other documents carefully at all times. When carrying with you do not leave them in the outer flaps of your bags. It is better to have to dig for them the few times you will need them, than to leave them out for anyone to steal. Before leaving, make a copy of the identification page of your passport. Keep this copy separate from your passport and carry it with you at all times. If local laws do not require you to keep your passport with you, carry only the photocopy of your passport when you are out and about.
(back to top)
2.11 Securing Your Valuables – Cash, Traveler’s Checks, and Credit Cards:
Never carry large amounts of cash. For the small amounts of cash you need, use a money belt or pouch worn around your neck, underneath your clothes. Keep the receipts for traveler’s checks in a separate place from your checks. As you cash checks, make a notation on the receipt. Take only the credit cards with you that you will use on the trip. Keep a list of cards, numbers, and emergency replacement procedures in a secure, separate place.
2.12 Securing Your Valuables – Luggage:
Mark all luggage, inside and out, with your name, and the address and telephone number of your destination. If you have an itinerary, put a copy inside each bag. Never leave your bags unattended, and do not ask a stranger to watch them if you need to move around an airport or train station. A travel lock is a necessity to make access into your bag a hindrance, but do not rely on them to keep a determined thief from getting into your bag. When claiming your luggage, check to be sure no one has tampered with it or put something in your bag that does not belong to you. Do NOT pack essential documents, valuables, or medicine in bags that will not be in your control at all times – put them in your carry-on bag.
(back to top)
2.13 Securing Your Valuables – Airline Ticket:
Make a copy of your airline ticket or list your ticket numbers, all flights included, and keep in a separate place with the name, address, and telephone number of the issuing agency.
(back to top)
2.14 Safety Tips When Traveling:
- Make sure someone else knows your itinerary.
- When you're distracted, you're an easy target for thieves.
- When you're on the telephone or reading a sign or train schedule, do not forget to keep an eye on your bags. Remember: keep your eyes and hands on your bags at all times.
- Be especially alert in crowds. Train stations, crowded shopping areas and tourist spots --any place with a crowd – is likely to be a place for thieves and muggers as well.
- Be careful to whom you give your luggage. Sometimes thieves pose as porters or taxi drivers. Do not leave your bags unattended.
- Plan your trip so that you do not arrive in an unknown town late at night without having made arrangements for spending the night.
- When traveling, always sleep with your money belt or necksafe hidden under your clothing.
- When you stay at a hotel, make use of the safety deposit boxes that many hotels have. Leave your passport and any money you don't expect to need that day safely locked away.
- Do not leave valuables in parked cars. Thieves particularly target rental cars and cars with out of town or foreign license plates.
- Guard your passport, visas and other documents carefully at all times. Do not leave them in the outer flaps of your bags. It is better to have to dig for them the few times you will need them, than to leave them out for anyone to steal.
2.15 Safety Out on the Town:
- Avoid forming large groups of Americans or other foreigners. Smaller groups attract less attention.
- At the same time, two are safer than one. Do NOT go with strangers if you are alone.
- Dress to blend in with the local citizenry.
- Find out which parts of town are considered risky by the locals. As in the United States, always stay in well-lit and well-traveled areas. Don't take short cuts through alleys or unsafe areas.
- If you should fall victim to a crime, remember that the U.S. Embassy is there to help you. Every embassy and consulate has a duty officer on-call around the clock to assist in an emergency.
(back to top)
2.16 Safety Issues for Women:
Language and cultural difference might mean what you consider appropriate behavior for a woman in the U.S., will be interpreted much differently by the men and women of your host country. Many people in some countries may have distorted or stereotyped notions about American women based on images acquired through American film and advertising. Gestures, clothing, or the way you carry yourself may have different interpretations in other cultures. Follow the example of women from your host country, in terms of culturally appropriate dress and demeanor. Always travel in groups of at least two, especially in unfamiliar or isolated areas and at night.
(back to top)
