4 Principles of Risk Preparedness

Embrace these principles in order to minimize your risk while abroad – and still have fun (potentially more fun, even). Note: you’ve seen these before: in your Application Post-Decision materials. Please review them and set your intention to live by them while you’re away.

• #1 Awareness

• #2 Communication

• #3 Cultural Common Sense

• #4 Wise Decision Making

• #1 – Awareness

  Suddenly you are living in a new town, and probably a new country! Learn from program staff, your host family, or local residents which areas of town are safe or dangerous and when to avoid certain locations. For example, normally safe areas may become riskier late at night, during soccer games, or political rallies. Determine which means of transportation are safe and secure, and at what time of day. Which is safer late at night: public transportation (buses, subways, etc.) or taxis or Uber?

  The answer to these questions varies from country to country, even city to city. So, when traveling to an unfamiliar area, ask for advice and research safe areas before departing. Plan to book a hotel or hostel in a part of the city considered safe – even if it means spending a few more dollars. The same goes for transportation – your family and friends will thank you for spending the extra money to get home safely.

  Become aware of current events that might impact your health and safety. Read the “what’s happening” information that your program or university provides. Keep up with current events by reading an international newspaper and, if possible, read local newspapers and magazines, too.

  Keep in mind that citizens of many countries take delight in engaging in heated discussions about politics and might want to debate with you about the U.S. military or politics. It can be easy to mistake their passionate talk for personal attacks, so if you feel threatened politely excuse yourself and move away.

  Another important caution: participating in a demonstration is never a good idea! It can be difficult to understand what is at stake, seemingly innocuous demonstrations can suddenly turn violent and, as a foreigner, you may become the target of hostilities. If you become caught up in a demonstration, move to the edge of the crowds and make a hasty departure. (You can read about it in the paper tomorrow.)

• #2 – Communication

  Communication with home is a balancing act when you are abroad. It would be unfortunate if you spent all your time talking to mom and dad or friends back home, instead of immersing yourself in your new culture. On the other hand, uncertainty about your health and safety can cause parents or close friends a great deal of anxiety.

  GEO strongly encourages all students to arrange to have a phone while you are abroad. In some cases, it can be affordable to take your U.S. phone with you and add an international plan. In other cases, it may be more affordable to plan to purchase a cell phone or SIM card in country. Students should inquire with their program provider about which strategy will be most affordable.

  Once you have a phone, spare your close friends and family anxiety by making it a habit to check in regularly with them via WhatsApp, social media, text, or email. But in order to ensure you have time to enjoy your new culture, consider going old school and arranging to contact your parents just once a week. For many parents, simply knowing that you will call and that they can reach you at any time – day or night – reduces anxiety considerably.

  In a crisis, the first call or text should be to your program to let them know your whereabouts and if you are okay. They are the ones who can provide the best advice and support. After contacting your program, move to a safe location. Only then is it safe and appropriate to contact your family. Also, keep in mind that in a crisis the Global Engagement Office will be working to locate you to check on your health and safety. It may be difficult for us to track you down, so if you can contact us with an update, we would really appreciate it!

  Notify us if you have a concern about your safety, or just to say that things are fine. We appreciate hearing from students.

• #3 – Cultural Common Sense

  Gaining cross-cultural understanding is one of the most important and profound learning experiences students have while abroad. And, students can apply their newfound cross-cultural understanding to help preserve their safety!

  The first point is to recognize that cultures are different, even if they appear similar. While all cultures value safety and stability, the ways they achieve it may vary considerably. Students can enhance their experience and personal safety by learning the answers to the following cultural questions:

  • What do people in this culture value most?
  • How are reputations made or ruined?
  • What behaviors, manners, or clothing blend-in and which demand attention?
  • How do people respond to uncertainty or difference? Are they open or do they feel threatened?
  • What are the cultural norms for alcohol in the host country?
  • What reputation do U.S. students have? Do my actions, behavior, and dress reinforce the negative or the positive?

  While off-campus put cultural understanding and common sense to use in your daily life. If the culture expects women to dress modestly, female students may be safer in-country if they adopt modest dress. If the culture has laws against LGBTQ people, they may want to refrain from public displays of affection. Even smiling and acting nice as we commonly do in the U.S. to strangers of all ages and genders can have a different connotation in another culture. You might be perceived as flirting or inviting sexual attention. Instead of acting on autopilot, observe how the locals behave and respond in different situations; learning to act in a similar way may increase your safety and the perceptions the locals have about you.

• #4 – Wise Decision Making

  Many people are concerned about study abroad students’ safety and security – including parents and friends, GEO, the College of Wooster, the hosting institution, and people responsible for accommodations abroad. However, no one will be as involved or concerned as you, the student.

  Personal safety and security begin with the multitude of decisions each student makes on a daily basis. This includes the transportation methods you choose, whom you associate with, when and where you go out, how you respond to sexual advances, on so on. Keep in mind that no one can make these daily decisions for you. And this means that to a large degree, you – and only you – are responsible for your own safety.

  By far, the greatest threat to student safety involves alcohol. We all know that alcohol impairs one’s judgment, but in social situations we sometimes ignore the signs that we are becoming intoxicated and throw caution to the wind. Students used to drinking Bud Light may be caught off-guard by the much higher alcohol content of some foreign beers. Even a typical pint class can be a different size than in the U.S.

  Unfortunately, getting drunk abroad is dangerous. Talk to any study abroad director, and they will tell you that the most serious incidences abroad almost always involve alcohol. Therefore, we urge you to use your time abroad to learn to drinking responsibly. This is also a big plus, since many cultures look down on individuals who become drunk.

“A ship in a harbor is safe, but it is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shed, American merchant, civic leader, and philanthropist