Studying abroad introduces students to completely foreign cultures and experiences that can cause them to feel anxious before traveling to their destination.
According to Katherine Frantes, interim manager and coordinator for the Office of Study Abroad, students traveling overseas should be cautious but not worried about living in a foreign country.
Frantes said the Office of Study Abroad requires students to complete an online orientation before leaving the United States.
“That orientation has a lot of information for students on staying safe,” Frantes said.
Frantes said keeping a friend nearby is important when traveling abroad.
“If you go out, go with someone, especially if you go out at night,” she said. “We can’t really control this, but students should never go to a bar alone or go home with someone they don’t know.”
Frantes said studying abroad is comparable in many ways to taking a trip to New York City.
“If you were to go to New York, you would try to protect yourself against pickpockets,” she said. “You would keep your purse closed, keep your belongings at your side, and guys would move their wallet to their front pocket.”
Valik Koshka, junior computer science major and native Ukrainian, said he, too, compares traveling abroad to visiting a large city in the U.S.
“You have to watch out for pickpockets in any big city,” he said. “Be alert, and keep your wallet in your front pocket.”
Koshka said study abroad participants should avoid carrying passports on their persons.
“Don’t carry any documents that are not easily replaceable; keep them in a safe,” he said. “A stolen passport is a big pain.”
Koshka added students should limit the amount of money they carry.
“Be minimalist,” he said. “Carry a driver’s license, some cash and maybe a few cards.”
Frantes said students tend to bring far more than they need when studying abroad.
“We tell students to pack their suitcase, and then remove half of what they packed,” she said. “You can survive on a lot less than you think.”
Koshka said drawing attention to oneself in a strange country can be dangerous.
“Don’t be flashing money or expensive objects like iPhones, which are considered luxury items in many places,” he said. “Don’t give anyone a reason to want to harm you.”
Koshka also said researching the country to which students are traveling is vital.
“Do your homework before you leave for your destination,” he said. “Be mindful of the culture, because you don’t want to do something offensive.”
Frantes said Mississippi State University students who study abroad are generally required to purchase international health insurance, and the university provides such insurance for the MSU faculty-led study abroad programs.
“International health insurance is actually pretty inexpensive, and all the providers we work with offer the insurance,” she said.
Frantes said international health insurance helps to ensure students’ safety and well-being in case of an emergency.
“If a student needs things like treatment or medical evacuation, they are covered under the insurance,” she said.
Frantes also said in the event of a natural disaster, the Office of Study Abroad would try to contact students in the affected area and confirm their safety.
“We would also try to contact their parents and make sure they know they’re okay as well,” she said.
Frantes said the Office of Study Abroad has no serious health or safety problems on record.
“We haven’t had any real issues so far,” she said. “One student broke an ankle, but other than that, no major issues have been reported.”