Keeping safe while studying abroad by guest blogger Joyce

Studying abroad during your college years is a fantastic opportunity and incredible experience to gain knowledge of different cultures and languages. In my third year of undergrad many years ago, I studied abroad in Spain. It was my first time in Europe and I took advantage of the proximity to other countries to travel extensively on my own. Following my naive, self-deemed street smarts to deter possible muggers, I dressed modestly and carried an air of confidence that I knew what I was doing and where I was going. I took a train to Paris, France, with my first experience in a sleeping car, and also flew to Italy and visited Milan, Rome and Florence. It was an empowering experience to travel to world-class cities on my own and to see breathtaking views firsthand.



My train from Florence arrived in Milan pretty late at night. I took the subway to the stop where I knew had a hostel nearby. I had an idea of where it was, but wasn't sure. I thought I’d be able to find it on my own, since I had been able to in other cities. When I emerged from the subway exit near midnight, the town was pitch black. I could barely see where I was going and I was trying to look for street signs or hostel signs, but couldn't see any. There were a few, if any, cars driving by as I hesitantly walked. I didn't know where I was going. Soon a car slowed down and someone inside started speaking to me in Italian, but I didn't understand. I kept walking but they were driving slowly beside me. I was getting very nervous and turned around and started walking in the opposite direction. The car followed me. I started running back to the station and saw a subway employee and hysterically told him in English what happened and that I was lost and scared. I thought I could take the subway back to the train station and just stay there overnight, but the subway was no longer running, as I found out it closed at midnight. The subway employee had no idea what I saying. Then I saw two girls with huge backpacks passing by. I asked if they spoke English and they said no, they spoke Spanish—the language that I was studying! I was so happy that I spoke Spanish and told them what happened and asked them if, by chance, they were headed to the hostel. They were! They knew the way and I went with them.



I was so lucky that night. I don’t even want to think what could have possibly happened in the pitch dark with that strange car beside me. No one knew where I was and the hostel didn't know that I was planning to stay there that night. I learned that night, that I am not invincible. I learned that I have to plan ahead and do my due diligence before heading to a new place. Unlike the comfort of our college campuses where we know where things are and where guidance is available, lands abroad may not offer the resources we assume are universal. My takeaways that I share with you: Don’t travel at night by yourself, especially in an unfamiliar place. Public transportation may shut down earlier than we are accustomed to in the US, 24 hour convenience stores may not exist, and roads may not be well-lit. Cabs may not be readily available and hostels and inns may not receive you. People may not speak English or other languages you may know. You could be completely stranded with nowhere to go. Have a game plan and if you absolutely must travel or choose to travel by yourself, keep family and friends posted of your whereabouts.