ACS Notices

International Travel Safety Information for Students 

Many college students are getting ready for that much anticipated trip abroad 
as the time approaches for spring and summer breaks. Most will have a safe and
enjoyable adventure, but for some the trip will become a nightmare. A number of
vacations are ruined by one or more of the following: drugs, alcohol,         
disorderly behavior, and preventable accidents.                               
                                                                       
Each year, more than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad -- about half
on narcotics charges, including possession of very small amounts of illegal   
substances. A drug that is legal in one country may not be legal in a         
neighboring nation. Some young people are victimized because they are unaware 
of the laws, customs, or standards of the country they are visiting.          
                                                                       
Besides drugs, alcohol can also cause trouble for U.S. citizens traveling      
abroad. Students have been arrested for being intoxicated in public areas, for
underage drinking, and for drunk driving. Disorderly or reckless behavior is to
be avoided. In many countries, conduct that would not result in an arrest in  
the United States may constitute a violation of local law. Some young Americans
go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct, believing
that they are immune from prosecution in foreign countries because they are   
American citizens. The truth is that Americans are expected to obey all of the
laws of the countries they visit, and those who break these laws could face   
severe penalties, including prison sentences.                                 
                                                                        
Being arrested is not the only misfortune that can occur on a foreign vacation.
Young Americans have suffered injury or even death from automobile accidents, 
drowning, and falls, in addition to other mishaps. While these accidents are  
sometimes chance occurrences, many are caused by alcohol or drug abuse. Sadly,
other Americans have been sexually assaulted or robbed because they have found
themselves in unfamiliar locales or are incapable of exercising prudent       
judgment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or have been the      
unwitting victim of a "date rape" drug.                                       
                                                                       
Other hidden safety issues are of major concern as well. Because standards of 
security, safety and supervision are not the same in many countries as they are
in the U.S., many young persons have died after automobile accidents, after   
falls from balconies or into open ditches, by drowning in the ocean as well as
in hotel pools, and in water-sports mishaps, among others. In some countries, 
the water sports industry is not carefully regulated. Unlicensed operators have
been linked to assaults, and a number of Americans have been killed or injured
by the improper use of jet-skis and other personal watercraft. Although it is 
crucial that young Americans be aware of these safety risks as they are       
enjoying their time abroad, it is also important to remember that prudent     
behavior may help minimize these risks.                                       
                                                                       
Young Americans traveling abroad should remember that the use of drugs or     
alcohol or engaging in reckless behavior while in another country can do more 
than ruin their vacation; it can land them in a foreign jail, cause them to   
suffer physical harm, or worse. Common sense should prevail in any activities 
young Americans engage in so that safety hazards may be minimized. It is      
possible to have a safe and fun trip if risky behavior is avoided and         
familiarity is attained with the basic laws and customs of the country being  
visited.                                                                       
                                                                       
In addition, even if a passport is not required to visit a foreign country,   
U.S. immigration authorities require that U.S. citizenship and identity must be
proved to reenter the United States. A U.S. passport is the best proof of U.S.
citizenship. More information about traveling abroad is available at the      
Department of State's web site: http://travel.state.gov.                      
                                                                       
For further information contact:                                              
                                                                       
Bureau of Consular Affairs                                                     
Office of Public Affairs                                                      
Press Inquiries:   (202) 647-1488                                             
Internet address:   http://travel.state.gov                                    
Public Inquiries:   Toll free (888) 407-4747