UMDPSTravelAbroadSaf ety06

Travel Safety Orientation Program for Students Traveling Abroad: 

Presented by Chief Noel C. March, Director of Public Safety Travel Safety Orientation Program for Students Traveling Abroad

TO BE COVERED AND DISCUSSED: 

TO BE COVERED AND DISCUSSED Preparing to go What to bring Safety where you reside Safety in the area Safety on the street Threat assessment Kidnapping Local laws Preparing for terrorism

BEFORE YOU GOPreparation is the key to your safety!!: 

BEFORE YOU GO Preparation is the key to your safety!! Prepare your resources—copies of travel itinerary, phone numbers (emergency and otherwise), agenda, flight numbers, travel agency, back-up plans, etc. NOTE: Planning ahead is a critical factor in successfully dealing with a crisis. Booking Hotels—as much as possible, plan to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security. Safety experts recommend booking or residing in a room from the second to seventh floors above ground level to deter easy entrance from outside, but low enough for fire equipment to reach.

BEFORE YOU GOCredit Cards: 

BEFORE YOU GO Credit Cards Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card that you bring. Record and take with you the toll free phone numbers for each of your credit cards. Do not get caught with credit deception! In other countries, innocent Americans have been arrested for credit card mistakes.

BEFORE YOU GOInsurance: 

BEFORE YOU GO Insurance Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Check if your health insurance covers you abroad. If your program does not provide health Ins., consider purchasing HTH Ins.

DEPARTING AND ARRIVING: 

DEPARTING AND ARRIVING Get permission for any unusual electronic equipment. You are only allowed 8 ounces of a liquid substance as carryon, and certain toiletries and cosmetics are not allowed, as well. Do not take any weapons (firearms, any type of edged weapons, pepper spray, etc). Travel in a group, whenever possible! If at all possible, have someone meet you at the airport.

DEPARTING AND ARRIVINGLuggage : 

DEPARTING AND ARRIVING Luggage Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Do not identify your luggage with tags, student tags, stickers, etc. Use luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity. If possible, lock your luggage after TSA inspection.

CLOTHES: 

CLOTHES Safety begins when you pack. Take only what you need. To avoid being a target, dress conservatively. Adjust to local customs & dress. A flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist or foreign student. Keep back packs and book bags in hand at all times.

MONEY: 

MONEY Don’t carry large amounts of cash, but have reserve cash on your person, just in case. Use travelers checks or credit cards whenever possible. Record (or even encrypt) serial numbers of travelers checks & credit card account information. Store this info safely, perhaps online.

MEDICATIONS: 

MEDICATIONS Make sure you have enough prescription medication to last your entire trip. Keep meds in their original labeled containers to avoid problems when passing through customs.

TICKETS & TELEPHONE CARDS: 

TICKETS & TELEPHONE CARDS Keep careful tabs on your plane, train, or bus tickets, they are as valuable as cash. Have a cell phone and consider getting a telephone card, in case your cell phone does not function suddenly. It is a convenient way of keeping in touch.

IN YOUR ROOM, HOTEL OR MOTEL: 

IN YOUR ROOM, HOTEL OR MOTEL Keep your door locked at all times. Guard your key/keycard. Use auxiliary locking devices. Do not answer the door without knowing who is there. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and verify.

WHILE THERE: 

WHILE THERE Check your belongings daily. Arrange your possessions so you will know immediately if something is missing. Consider storing valuables in a safe. Some hotels and rooms have room safes. Keep up-to-date on Threats and Warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State at http://www.travel.state.gov

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES: 

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES

WHILE THERE Continued: 

WHILE THERE Continued Do not hitchhike. Learn the location of the closest hospital, police station and friendly embassy. Carry only what you need. Stay away from protest groups or any other political demonstrations. If there is a crisis in the country, such as a bombing, contact your faculty advisor for guidance, and your family to let them know that you are “OK” and what you are planning to do.

ELEVATORS & PARKING: 

ELEVATORS & PARKING If you are alone, do not get on an elevator if there is a suspicious-looking person inside. If such a person enters while you’re alone in the elevator, get out on that same floor. Look around before entering parking lot or garages. Park near lighted walkways when possible.

YOUR SURROUNDINGS: 

YOUR SURROUNDINGS Learn about and be aware of your surroundings (360-degree awareness). Make sure everyone in your party knows the name and telephone number of the place that you are residing. Keep ID’s in your possession, and remove any fake ID’s in your possession.

SAFETY ON THE STREET: 

SAFETY ON THE STREET Carry your purse close to your body—don’t let it dangle. Carry your wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket. Carry only the cash and/or credit cards, ID’s, etc. that you need. Don’t flash your cash or jewelry. Use a credential pouch or a hip money belt.

SAFETY ON THE STREET: 

SAFETY ON THE STREET Select sightseeing companies, guides, and drivers, carefully. Avoid scam artists and gypsies. Be wary of strangers who approach… and offer you bargains that seem “too good to be true,” or offer huge discounts or deals on tourist attractions tickets, or offer to be a ‘tour guide’ or such.

SAFETY ON THE STREETThreat Assessment: 

SAFETY ON THE STREET Threat Assessment Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys, or poorly-lit streets. PLAN your movements, in advance. Make sure others know about your whereabouts (faculty advisors, other students, etc.). Try not to travel alone at night. Try to seem in control and assertive when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. EXPECT the unexpected and TRUST your instincts!

WATCH, REPORT, AND PROTECT YOURSELF: 

WATCH, REPORT, AND PROTECT YOURSELF

PAST PROBLEMS: 

PAST PROBLEMS Medical problems/prescriptive medications. Petty theft, theft of passport or personal documents, pickpockets, scam artists, etc. Sleeping on train or bus and having valuables stolen. Robbery with the intent to use your credit card for illegal purchases. Using unlicensed taxi cabs — make sure the taxi is licensed, and with a telephone number(s).

PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES: 

PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES Beware of thieves like gypsies, i.e., palm readers. Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will: Jostle you, Ask you for directions or the time, Distract you by creating a disturbance.

PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES: 

If you are confronted, don’t fight back. Give up your valuables. Your money, passport and property can be replaced but you cannot. Minimize the opportunity for this and reduce its impact by not wearing lots of jewelry or carrying unnecessary items. PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES

PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES: 

If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police. Keep a copy of the police report for insurance claims. PICKPOCKETS & THIEVES

DID YOU KNOW…: 

DID YOU KNOW… Few U.S. Citizens realize that Mexico became the world’s second most dangerous country for kidnapping when it passed Brazil in 1995. About 1,500 kidnaps are estimated annually (Brazil and Guatemala numbers 3 and 4). Source: http://www.g21.net/narco.html

KIDNAPPING ON A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: 

KIDNAPPING ON A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Global estimates range from 10,000 to 15,000 kidnaps per year. More than 80% of the world’s kidnapping events are in Latin America, where almost all are for ransom. Columbia is, undisputedly, the world kidnapping capital. Source: Reuters – 01/08/1998

IN THE EVENT OF AKIDNAPPING…: 

IN THE EVENT OF A KIDNAPPING… Before leaving agree upon proof of life questions, i.e., information that only you and your family would know about you, such as, the name of your dog, school attended, maiden name of grandmother, first boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.

LOCAL LAWS: 

LOCAL LAWS When you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country where you are. Therefore, before you go, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the places you plan to visit. Be cautious when taking pictures. When in doubt, ASK FIRST!

YOUR BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT“You’re not in Kansas anymore!”: 

YOUR BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT “You’re not in Kansas anymore!” Alcohol and Controlled Substance Abuse can lead to legal problems and/or jail time. Criminal Conduct will lead to real problems in your life that the U.S. will not be able to resolve for you. Think before you act… Your freedom may depend on it.

PREPARING FOR TERRORISM: 

PREPARING FOR TERRORISM Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings. The very nature of terrorism suggests there may be little or no warning. Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended. Unusual behavior, suspicious packages and strange devices should be promptly reported to the police or security personnel.

PREPARING FOR TERRORISM Continued: 

PREPARING FOR TERRORISM Continued Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right. Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Notice where exits are when you enter unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get out of a building, subway or congested public area or traffic. Note where staircases are located. Notice heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall or break in an explosion.

IN TROUBLE OR NEED HELP: 

IN TROUBLE OR NEED HELP Contact the Site Director, immediately! Contact Office of International Programs staff at the University of Maine (207) 581-3433. Contact Nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Contact Overseas Citizens Services (317) 472-2328 or (888) 407-4747. Contact the University of Maine, Department of Public Safety at (207) 581-4040 (open 24/7) and provide your information and call back number(s).

INTERNET SITES ON TRAVEL: 

INTERNET SITES ON TRAVEL Internet sites on travel information in other countries: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov (click on travel) http://www.state.gov http://www.studentsabroad.com http://www.state.gov/travel/ http://travel.state.gov/acs.html#emr http://www.travel.state.gov/links.html (For The Nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate)

U.S. CITIZEN ON-LINE TRAVEL REGISTRATION: 

U.S. CITIZEN ON-LINE TRAVEL REGISTRATION U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can access this site either through a link on travel.state.gov, or directly, at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs We invite you to register yourself and your family and get acquainted with travel registration. If you are already registered with an embassy, please re-register on line to update your records.

HAVE A SAFE TRIP & REMEMBER:: 

HAVE A SAFE TRIP & REMEMBER: Good planning reduces RISK! Proper planning reduces the chance of becoming subject to risk. Call us if you need to. The Department of Public Safety is always receptive to handle emergencies. We are open to assist your needs on campus, and even when you are traveling and studying abroad. QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ETC.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

CONTACT INFORMATION Chief Noel C. March Director of Public Safety The University of Maine Office (207)581-4053 Fax (207)581-1702 nmarch@maine.edu

Special Thanks & Acknowledgement: 

Special Thanks & Acknowledgement Prepared with the approval of The University of Maine Office of International Programs Todd A. Palazza, Director of Public Safety, Fairfield University Paul A. Anderson, Director of Campus Safety at St. Norbert’s College (WI) Paul F. Glowacki, Chief of Police, St. Mary’s University Dennis Gladwell, Police Officer with the De Pere, WI PD Wake Forest University Police Department in North Carolina Federal Bureau of Investigation US Department of Homeland Security US Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Center for Global Education at Loyola Marymount University Safety Abroad First – Educational Travel Information (SAFETI)