June 2005

Up for discussion: Tips for safe student travel

Diane Adams of UC Davis' Education Abroad Center. (Rachel Van Blankenship/UC Davis)

After a year of intense work, many students are already planning their summer escape, some to faraway lands and others to adventures a little closer to home.

You may feel that your student has earned the chance to spread his or her wings. But how can you enjoy a restful summer without spending those long days and nights worrying about your child's safety?

A little planning before departure may be just the ticket.

"On some level, you can't protect (your child) from everything, but you can prepare them well," says Diane Adams, associate director of the campus Education Abroad Center.

Personal experience

Adams knows what it is like to worry. She is the mother of two seniors at UC Davis and UC Irvine who both chose to take advantage of education abroad opportunities in Spain. One was studying in Madrid -- and living two blocks from the city's main train station -- in March 2004 when al-Qaida operatives set off a series of train explosions in Madrid, killing almost 200 people.

"Still, my heart stops when I think about it," Adams recalls.

My Sandriany, left, helps sophomore Sin Yuin Yeo explore travel options for a tour of Europe at the Student Travel Agency on campus. (Rachel Van Blankenship/UC Davis)

Neither her daughter nor any of the other UC students studying in Madrid was injured in the attack, but the incident left Adams with a unique perspective on student travel safety. Here, she offers some tips to discuss with your child, whether he or she is heading off to hike in Yosemite or backpack through Europe.

Safety tips for travel

• Research your travel destination before departure. The UC Education Abroad Program Web site offers extensive information on a variety of countries. The U.S. government offers travel safety information online, including international travel warnings, embassy and consulate locations, and other helps for travelers.
• Develop a communication plan. Students should provide someone at home with an updated copy of their itinerary and contact numbers along the way.
• Urge your student -- male or female -- to take a self-defense class before traveling. Campus classes focus on instilling confidence and reducing the risk of becoming a crime victim.
• Travel in pairs or groups, and always be aware of your surroundings.
• Be mindful of alcohol consumption. Drinking can leave a student off guard and vulnerable.

Traveling can be educational, make a student more self-reliant and, of course, be a wonderful reward for a year of hard work. Adams says she sees travel of any kind as "one of the most enriching experiences our students can have."

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