Staying Safe

Travellers, especially those having just arrived overseas, are often targets of crime and at higher risk of harm, because they:

• Are unfamiliar with their surroundings
• May not speak the local language fluently
• Are clearly recognisable as foreigners
• Are not familiar with the local customs and codes of conduct
• Are eager to get to know new people and the local culture
• Are naive to the intentions of people around them
• Are carrying all their valuables with them

Being aware of the culture and customs of the country(s) you are visiting will help you to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Listed below are a number of tips to help keep you safe when travelling overseas:

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings, remembering to:
• Pay attention to what people around you are saying
• Find out which areas of the city are less safe than others
• Know which hours of night are considered more dangerous
• Stay and walk only in well-lit areas
• Avoid being alone in unfamiliar neighbourhoods
• Know where to get help (police station, fire station, phones, stores, etc.)
• Do not touch suspicious items like letters or packages mailed to you from someone you don't know
• Know what is "normal" and "not normal" to see on a daily basis in the areas you frequent

• Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your host institution, and the local laws and customs of the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will have to conform to the legal system of the country you will be visiting regardless of how different they are to Australian laws and customs.

• Understanding Local Culture: Make it a point to try to understand what locals are communicating to you, how they feel about you and about Australian citizens in general, how you are fitting with their values, and how well you understand them. If you are going to a country where English is not the native language then obviously a stronger grasp of the native language will help you with these things, but even knowing a few essential phrases can be immensely beneficial. Consider purchasing a language dictionary or even undertaking a language course before you leave Australia .

• Emergency Contacts: Keep the ECU Study Abroad and Exchange Office and an emergency contact at home well informed of your whereabouts and activities and provide them with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveller's checks, and prescriptions).

• Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students overseas. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are abroad.

Bus: Since it is the cheapest way to travel (though rather tedious), travel by bus is often a very popular choice for students and travellers. However, since it is so slow, you may prefer to take the train. Often, if you can't find service to a particular location on national or regional bus lines, local service should be able to take you to your desired destination.

Train/Metro: Travel by train is usually much faster than by bus, and can be a better option if you want to see more places in a short amount of time. You may want to avoid travelling by train alone at night, particularly in more urban areas. In major cities especially, you will find the metro system (where available) to be the most convenient form of transportation to move about the city, although beware of pickpockets.

Air: Air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. If you know of discount airfare websites, you can find tickets for less than a train ride would be. Especially if road travel is unsafe due to poor road conditions, and if train travel is too slow for your needs, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option.

Cars (Driving): Renting a car while studying overseas can be a great way to see the countryside. It can also be a very stressful and dangerous way to travel. In countries where driving laws are significantly different than in Australia or where drivers travel on the other side of the road, you should consider taking another form of transportation - especially if you feel hesitant about driving. Australian driver's licenses are valid in most countries for up to 12 months; however, it may be a good idea to obtain an International Driving Permit (Insert Hyperlink). Insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in any country - to make it easier, most rental places will arrange this beforehand. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be detained by local authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the country's judicial authorities.

• Precautions When Accepting Food and Drink: Be cautious about accepting drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and food from a stranger. If in pubs or clubs, don't leave your drink unattended.

• Personal Safety: There are many things you can do to reduce the risk to your personal safety including:

• Avoid being out after midnight
• Avoid being alone at night in isolated areas
• Avoid areas known to have high crime rates
• Remember to lock your doors and windows
• Adhere to local curfews
• Limit your consumption of alcohol and do not use drugs.
• Call home regularly and tell people about your movements, especially if they are unplanned
• Take care when using ATM's

• Verbal and Non-verbal Communication: Non-verbal communication (like body language and hand gestures) considered harmless in Australia may be offensive to people in other countries. There are also a number of words used in the Australian language that are offensive to other cultures. Use common sense and if possible avoid using any language that has the potential to upset others.

• How to Dress: Dress standards vary in many countries and it is often best to dress conservatively - by local standards. If you are unsure what the local standards are then you should ask your fellow students. Remember that just because it is appropriate in Australia it may not be appropriate in your host country. For example in South-East Asia you can not enter Buddhist temples or royal palaces in shorts or sleeveless shirts.

• Jewellery and Other Valuables: Be cautious with how you display valuables and consider leaving your good jewellery at home. Make sure that you keep money in a safe place like a money belt or hidden pouch under your clothes as pick-pockets target tourists.