STUDY ABROAD
PROGRAM
Presented By: Todd A. Pelazza
Director of Public Safety
Fairfield University
Travel Safety Orientation
STUDY ABROAD
TRAVEL SAFETY ORIENTATION
Developed By:
Todd A. Pelazza,
Director of Public Safety
Fairfield University
Department of Public Safety
Special Thanks &
Acknowledgement
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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)
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.
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BEFORE YOU GO
Preparation is the key to your safety!!
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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.
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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 go- Credit Cards
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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.
In some countries, Americans
have been arrested for
innocently exceeding their
credit limit.
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
Get permission for any unusual electronic
equipment.
 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.
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Departing and Arriving - Luggage
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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
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.
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Money
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Don’t carry large amounts of
cash, but have reserve cash
on your person, just in case.
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Use travelers checks or credit
cards whenever possible.
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Record (encrypt?) serial
numbers of travelers checks &
credit card account info. Store
this info safely – online?
Medications
 Make
sure you have enough
prescription medication to last
your entire trip.
 Keep in their original labeled
containers to avoid problems
when passing through customs.
Tickets and 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.
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In your room, hotel or motel
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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
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
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http://www.travel.state.gov
State Department Travel Advisories
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, etc., contact your faculty advisor for
guidance and family to let them know that you
are “OKAY” and what you are planning to do.
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Elevators and Parking
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If you are alone, do not
get on an elevator if
there is a suspiciouslooking 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.
Safety on the Street
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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 belly money belt.
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.
 A word on ID’s (keep in your possession)
and Fake ID’s (Remove any fake
identification in your possession).
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Safety on the street
Select sightseeing companies, guides and
drivers carefully.
 Avoid scam artists and gypsies.
 Be wary of strangers who approach…
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and offer you bargains that seem ‘too good to be
true,’ or
offer huge discounts or deals on tourist attractions
tickets,
offers to be a ‘tour guide’ or such.
Safety on the street - Threat
Assessment
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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
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 with a telephone #
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Pickpockets and thieves
Beware of thieves like
gypsies, i.e., palm readers,
etc.)
 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.
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Pickpockets and 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.
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Pickpockets and 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.
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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
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 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
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!
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Your Behavior and Conduct
“Your not in Kansas anymore!”
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Alcohol and Controlled Substance Abuse can lead to
legal problems and/or jail time.
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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 depends on it.
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.
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Preparing for Terrorism (Cont.)
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.
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In Trouble or Need Help
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Contact the Site Director, Immediately!
Contact Study Abroad Programs official at Fairfield
University.
Contact Nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
Contact Oversees Citizens Services (317) 472-2328
or (888) 407-4747.
Contact Fairfield University, Department of Public
Safety at (203) 254-4090 (open 24/7) and
provide your information and call back number(s).
Internet sites on travel
Internet sites on travel information in other countries
from the government are:
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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. 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
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Good Planning Reduces RISK!
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Call if you need us. Remember, The Department of
Public Safety is always open to handle
emergencies and we are available to serve your
needs, on campus and when you are traveling &
studying abroad.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ETC.
Contact Information
Todd A. Pelazza
Director of Public Safety
Fairfield University
Office (203)254-4090
Fax (203)254-4238
tapelazza@mail.fairfield.
edu