Student Travel Safety - Before Leaving Home
Security
- Purchase a money belt or security pouch to carry valuables and passport. Carry important documents on your person.
- Provide your travel itinerary to your family and maintain regular contact while traveling.
- Make a record of your passport,; credit card and travelers check numbers and insurance papers, as well as plane, train, or bus ticket numbers. Give a copy of the list to a family member or friend for safekeeping. Make a copy of the first pages of your passport and retain with your luggage. Bring along 4 extra photos in the event you need to replace your passport or obtain visas.
- Draft a list of important telephone numbers and addresses of the locations you are to visit and the telephone number of your nearest embassy or consulate. Leave a copy with your contact and take a copy with you.
- Use only your name and/or phone number on luggage tags. Do not carry unnecessary identification which could cause problems.
- Pack your own suitcase and pack light. Often you’ll be carrying your suitcase through airports and to hotel rooms from the bus.
Medical
- Have a dental check-up and complete medical exam (especially if traveling for 3 months or more).
- Address immunization needs with a health care professional (6-10 weeks needed for some vaccines).
- Check your health insurance coverage for international benefits
- All parental contact information should be documented and secured on the person or in carry-on luggage. (Responsible adults traveling with minors should have all completed parental consents/information.)
- Purchase an extra pair of eyeglasses, contacts and sunglasses or take a copy of your prescription with you.
- Fill medical prescriptions prior to departure and carry duplicate prescriptions in case of loss. (Keep prescriptions and medications in carry-on luggage.)
- If you have any physical condition that may require emergency care, purchase and carry some kind of identification: tag, bracelet, or card on you at all times indicating the specific nature of your problem and what should be done in the event you are unconscious or unable to communicate.
- Obtain sunscreen lotion with a sun protector factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, an adequate supply of personal care/hygiene items, and an insecticide lotion with DEET (10-35%). Permethrin is available for treatment of bedding, clothing and netting and is an effective deterrent to mosquitoes.
- A first aid kit is a good idea and should contain: mild analgesics, anti-diarrheal medication, elastic wraps, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, antibiotic ointment, adhesive tape, 2” gauze and Band-Aids of assorted sizes.
Return to general advice or view while traveling safety tips.