Traveling Abroad This Summer? Stay Safe With These Tips
Rose Harris-Makinen, a student majoring in education and in government and public policy, makes friends with a group of elephants while studying abroad in South Africa in summer 2017.
Christopher Vidano, a pre-business major, took this photo in the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower in Paris during a study abroad trip in spring 2017.
Carlos Santoscoy, a public health major, flies the UA flag from Peru's Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, in summer 2017.
For information on keeping electronic devices and data safe while traveling abroad, see this related story.
That's a wrap on spring 2018, and many on campus are gearing up for some downtime – the perfect opportunity to add a few stamps to the passport.
To stay safe when traveling internationally, the Office of Global Initiatives has some tips that could make all the difference between having a trip you remember and having one that you'd rather forget.
Plan ahead.
Informed travelers who take the time to think beyond plane tickets, lodging and activities are better at avoiding and responding to the mishaps that could occur while traveling, according to Global Initiatives. Knowing how far in advance to begin planning depends on the destination, your experience as a traveler and what you plan to do once you reach your destination, says Laura Provencher, associate director of global resiliency in Global Initiatives.
"If you are not familiar with a location and there are advisories to avoid nonessential travel or all travel, definitely give yourself multiple months, if not longer," she says. "Important and complicated events that are thrown together at the last minute usually result in problems that could have been prevented with more time for preparation, involving the right people."
Know the potential risks.
Recognize your personal vulnerabilities and take steps to become a conscious and informed traveler.
Global Initiatives recommends checking official travel advisory websites managed by the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to determine potential hazards at your destination. UA travelers also can take advantage of the Chubb Travel App, which provides travel information for destinations across the world. Register with your email address and policy number PHFD3855170A 001.
Be aware of conditions, customs and laws.
Be sure to have a good understanding of your destination's gender norms, appropriate clothing, laws, discrimination issues, weather, and customs on alcohol consumption. Always be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to warnings about potentially dangerous places, and research which public or private transportation options are fastest and safest.
"Online research is good, but the right contacts are best," Provencher says. "The University campus has an abundance of experts and connections."
Global Resiliency, a division within the Office of Global Initiatives, is a good place to start to get in touch with those experts, Provencher adds.
Follow all local laws, including those regarding visa restrictions. You can check the visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of your destination country at Embassy WorldWide.
Stay healthy.
Always stay hydrated when traveling, wash your hands often, and limit or avoid drinking alcohol. Always carry prescription drugs in their original bottles, bring copies of your prescriptions, and consult embassies about medication legalities. If you feel sick when you return, tell your doctor about your recent trip.
For more information about staying healthy while abroad, contact the Campus Health Service Travel Clinic, which can provide country-specific immunizations and medical information. Appointments are required for immunizations, and it's recommended that travelers make their clinic visit six to eight weeks before their trip.
More travelers' health resources can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Notify others and stay alert.
Share your travel plans with friends and family.
U.S. citizens are advised to register with the U.S. Department of State's Safe Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that allows travelers to enroll their trips with the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate nearest your destination. Once enrolled, you'll get important information about conditions in your destination country, and it will help the embassy contact you in an emergency like a natural disaster or civil unrest. The service also can help your family and friends reach you in an emergency and help facilitate consular assistance with lost or stolen passports.
Note that those traveling as part of official UA programs and trips will receive travel alerts through the UA International Travel Registry or UA Study Abroad.
Consider whether you need health insurance.
Those traveling on official UA business are covered, but employees traveling on personal trips may need to make insurance arrangements. It's a good idea to check with your health insurance provider to see if your coverage applies while abroad, Provencher says.
Coverage for natural disasters, political unrest and acts of war, Provencher adds, might be worth considering depending on the risks associated with your destination.
"Becoming familiar with the potential risks in your destination and costs of responding to these types of events is important in evaluating and determining your need for coverage," Provencher says.
Not sure about something else related to travel abroad? Ask.
The Office of Global Initiatives has staff available to answer questions about traveling abroad. For more information beyond what's listed here, contact the International Travel Team at intl-travelteam@email.arizona.edu. More resources are available at the UATravel website.
Those leading or participating in a study abroad program can contact Jill Calderón, assistant director for student health and safety in the UA Study Abroad office.