By on February 5th, 2016

Staying Safe in Your International Home

Working or studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity that can open doors for your future you didn’t know existed. When you are unfamiliar with your surroundings, or not fluent in the language, safety can be a concern. Most college campuses and workplaces have safety measures in place to protect their students or employees, but what about when you aren’t at school or work? Personal safety measures in America mostly amount to a basic practice of awareness, and these few tips.

Safety on Campus or at Work

Your college campus should have a campus security force that is dedicated to keeping the students safe. If you see anything that looks out of place, you can call them to investigate. Avoid shortcuts behind campus buildings or through less populated walkways, and try to stay in well-lit corridors if you find yourself lost in a building. Make a note of fire extinguishers, extra exits, and other natural disaster plans that you may have to make use of. If you ride a bicycle, or use a car, keep your vehicle locked up when you aren’t using it, and never leave your purse or computer bag alone when you are searching the library stacks or refilling your drink in the cafeteria. These tips all apply to your workplace as well. Most workplaces have cameras that make it easier to leave your purse or bag at your desk without worrying they will be stolen.

Safety in Public

Most public spaces in America are very safe. The police force is usually very present in cities and towns, and most Americans share a culture of protecting one another in times of danger. Keeping yourself safe in public spaces involves staying aware of your surroundings, making sure you have company if you are walking anywhere at night, and protecting your valuables and personal information. Never walk away from a public computer, such as at the library, without checking that any personal information and passwords have been cleared from the screen. American cities are equipped with warning sirens that will tell you of incoming dangerous weather, and the radio or weather app on your smartphone will give you instructions on how to take cover should you be caught in dangerous weather in public. Places like hospitals, fire stations, and police stations are staffed with emergency personnel who are sworn to protect your safety.

Safety at Home

When you are at home without your host family, it is a good idea to keep the doors locked. Never give out your personal information on the phone, and don’t answer the door if you don’t recognize someone. It’s better to apologize for refusing entry to a friend than admitting a potentially dangerous visitor. If dangerous weather or a power outage happens while you are at home, first check your weather app or the radio for instructions. If the power outage is not related to weather, alerting your host family so they can call the power company is the best course of action. Keep yourself safe when using the Internet. Don’t give out your host family’s address or information, and don’t agree to meet with anyone that you’ve met through a chat website or social media.

Personal safety in America is aided by many friendly uniformed service members who can help simply by calling 911. Again, it is always better to apologize for a misunderstanding, than to put yourself in possible danger. All public spaces have emergency plans in place for dangerous weather, so be sure you pay attention to your surroundings, and watch for the people who are there to help protect and serve you.