SAFE TRAVEL

Traveling safely is no joke. In all honesty, half of the things here are learned the hard way - so please take our word from it that if the fire is hot, there's no need to burn yourself to be sure.


International & Domestic

  • www.cdc.gov. Most places overseas have medical considerations..
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  • Youth Hosteling Association (YHA), or Hosteling International (HI) are great resources to find yourself in safe living situations. They have high standards and safety is paramount for their good name.
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  • If you're traveling alone, get a cell phone and know your emergency phone numbers.
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  • If you're sick, don't waste time wondering how bad it is. For many Gap Year students health is a second-import because they're used to having a parent there to tell them when something is bad and when it's just normally healing. If you're not sure, call home!
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  • Have regular check-in times with family. Partially so that they can live vicariously through you and your experiences, but also as a safety measure to make sure in case something happens they'll know asap.
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  • If you're going to drive, make sure you have proper insurance and know the rules of the road.
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  • Stay off of motorcycles. We know it's tempting, but in the Peace Corps, they'll send you home even if they suspect you rode one … they're that dangerous!
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  • Before you go out, ask the locals what areas are safe and which aren't. Even in New York city, there's areas you just don't go at night alone! Why should that be any less significant in a place you don't know.
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  • If there's a crowd of people, don't let curiosity get the best of you … stay away until you REALLY understand what's going on.
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  • In EVERY case, the time you're most at risk is in a motor vehicle. Make sure you at least have a short conversation with every driver to make sure they're awake and sober … and wear a seatbelt (if there is one).
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  • Nothing in life is certain, but, if you're mugged, the best thing to do is usually just give up what you have. Whether it's drugs they're after, cash, or your passport, all are easily enough replaced and in every case will be cheaper than a hospital bill if you resist. But, the one thing that we can assure you of is that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton in gratitude: pay attention; if you feel uncomfortable, go somewhere safe; and reserve a little skepticism about everyone and their intentions.
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  • It never hurts to get certified in wilderness medicine through WMI, WMA, or SOLO. These are ways to make sure that you can take care of yourself in an emergency.
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  • Alcohol and drugs are dangerous. In cases of rape while traveling, there's a very high correlation with alcohol. Even marijuana, in some countries an carry a death sentence. Bottom line is that if your goal in your Gap Year is to party, then you're not taking a "Gap Year."
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International

  • Know your Embassy's phone numbers.
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  • Visit the State Department website for any travel warnings, and WATCH THE NEWS.
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  • Visit the State Department website to see what areas you need a visa for and which ones you can get 'on arrival.' Every country you travel to will have an immigration department, and without adequate preparation you may not even be able to enter the country!
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  • Register with the State Department's Smart Travelers Enrollment Program
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  • If you can't boil it, cook it, or peel it, don't eat it.
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  • Scan your passport and email a copy to yourself. This is just in case yours gets lost, stollen, or a tiger eats it … in this way you have a digital copy so that you can more easily prove you are who you say you are to the embassy when you're trying to get a new one.
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  • If you lose your passport, contact the embassy immediately - delaying this call will only mean a delay in getting a new one as they now have to check to see if your passport has been used illegally and thus taking more time for them … oh yeah, and more time for you!
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