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Safety When Abroad

You will have a major impact on your own health and safety abroad through decisions you make before and during the program and through your day-to-day decisions.

Many of the more common illnesses and incidents experienced by students overseas are behavior-induced and therefore preventable, for example, getting mugged while out alone after drinking late at night in a foreign city.

Threats to your safety abroad include health risks, crime, political unrest, road accidents and so on.? What can you do to protect yourself?

Before you leave

  • attend all orientation sessions;
  • do some background reading about the country or countries you will see and the cultures you will experience;
  • determine what vaccinations and medications are required or recommended for your destination and develop your immunization schedule;
  • consider health and personal circumstances when applying for a place in a program;
  • check out the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade site's excellent "Canadian Traveler Resource Centre" and up-to-date travel advisories with background information on security and political conditions.

During your time abroad

  • obey host-country laws.remember, when you are in a foreign country you are subject to its laws and ignorance of those laws is no defense;
  • comply with the terms of participation for your program;
  • accept responsibility for your decisions and actions;
  • keep program staff informed of your whereabouts and well-being;
  • be aware of local customs and conditions that may present health or safety risks; carry a photocopy of your passport separate from your passport;
  • don't carry large amounts of cash and make sure your valuables are carried in a money belt or left in the hotel safe;
  • carry money in several locations on your person;
  • be discreet in your public behavior;
  • women - to avoid being approached or harassed, dress and act conservatively and follow local customs.

If you find yourself in legal trouble or if your passport is lost or stolen, contact the nearest Canadian Mission immediately.

You may find information in these sites useful: