Research on Your Travel Destination

Doing research on your travel destination is crucial to learning how to stay safe in your chosen country. Information is available about security warnings, crime rates and political stability. The U.S. Department of State offers up-to-date travel alerts and information on most foreign countries. When traveling it is important to know the location of U.S. embassies and consulates at your destination. Consulates are handy in case you need to replace a stolen passport, contact family and friends, or find medical care. They can also help you to obtain general information about the local criminal justice process, as well as to obtain a list of local attorneys who speak English.

The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends you register your travel with the Bureau. Registration is free and can be done online. Doing this allows the United States Government to know to locate you in case there is a state of emergency such as a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.

Another important thing to investigate before you travel are the cultural norms and religious beliefs in the country in where you will be traveling. Find out what behavior, dress, etc., is acceptable for women in your destination country and learn about the role gender plays in the society. Social gestures that may seem neutral in your culture may be interpreted in radically different ways in other societies. Find out what strategies that the local women use to keep safe and to stave off unwanted male advances, as well as what comes across as an invitation to romance. Understanding local culture will help you stay safe. It is also helpful to speak with people who have returned who have visited the country you will be traveling to, as they will be able to share their experiences and give you advice on how to stay safe.

While traveling you should be culturally sensitive, but not to the detriment of your own safety. You want to be open-minded but not to the extent that you place yourself in danger. If you are feeling harassed or being made uncomfortable by another person, don't feel compelled to deal with the disturbance in a pleasant manner. Sometimes people need to be told directly and bluntly to refrain from bothering you. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing in neutral colors, as well as to attempt to dress like the local women. In some cultures, what you consider attractive casual clothing may be seen as provocative or inappropriate, even offensive, which could spark harassment. In addition, your style of dress, or the amount of makeup and jewelry you wear, could make you a more likely target for thieves.