TIPS FOR WOMEN STUDY ABROAD

Study Abroad Safety Tips for Female Students

Studying abroad is often associated with excitement, personal growth, and cultural awareness. But students should be aware that in some study abroad destinations, keeping safety in mind is just as important.
In most large cities, female students need not worry about their safety more than they do in the United States. When negative incidents have occurred in these areas, they are often highly avoidable. In these destinations, a good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't do it at home, you shouldn't do it here. Much of remaining safe has to do with trusting your instincts, as well as with projecting a confident and assertive attitude.
But female students inevitably will have to fend off unwanted attention more than their male counterparts. And simply because your new surroundings will be unfamiliar to you, you need to be more vigilant than you would be on your home campus or in your hometown. Of course, you will want to avoid taking shortcuts and routes that are off the beaten path, especially late at night. You should also travel around with at least one other person. Cat calls or other unsolicited attention from the locals should remain unacknowledged in these situations. Much of staying safe abroad is common sense.