Safety

Is it safe to live abroad?

• Living abroad can be very safe
• You will be as safe as you are smart
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Tourists naturally attract petty thieves, but if you’re wise, you can avoid them
• Listen to your host parents about what places to avoid

Be aware of pickpockets

• Keep personal belongings close to your body, especially when you’re in public areas
• If you’re in a crowded area (especially on public transportation) have your backpack or purses on in a way that no one can open it or take it without you noticing
• If you get ripped off, remember this advice by Rick Steves:

It’s best to get over it. You’re rich and thieves aren’t. You let your guard down and they grab your camera. It ruins your day and you have to buy a new one, while they sell it for a week’s wages on their scale. And the score’s one to nothing. It’s wise to keep a material loss in perspective.

•  Remember that the large majority of crimes suffered by tourists are nonviolent and avoidable
• Stay away from dark or deserted places, especially at night

Be prepared before you go

• Make 2+ photocopies of your passport, any medical/eyesight prescriptions, and flight itinerary
• Leave one copy of your passport with a family member or trusted friend back home
• While you travel, leave one copy in your luggage
• When you get to your host’s home, leave your passport there (unless traveling abroad)
• Carry the copy with you and use as ID when needed (i.e. buying a SIM card)
• Your driver’s license may suffice as ID (when going to a bar, etc. but it’s good to have the passport copy just in case)​
• Back up your photos frequently as you travel
• Leave your expensive jewelry at home — even if a thief doesn’t go for your jewelry specifically, it’s a signal to them
• Consider wearing a money belt!
• A money belt is a small, pouch with a zipper that you wear around your waist underneath your clothes​ — it’s very handy and gives you the freedom of being hands-free while still carrying your important items safely

Be prepared when you’re out and about

• Leave expensive gear such as a laptop in your host family’s home (it’s safer there than with you in a backpack on the streets)
• The likelihood of losing something is much greater than having something stolen
• Always look behind you before leaving any place or form of transportation​
• Go through a mental list when packing and unpacking if you’re traveling
• Always be in physical contact with your things
• Don’t set down small valuable items when you’re out such as your phone, camera, or wallet
• If you’re eating at a restaurant or cafe, don’t place your phone on the table where it’s easy to be snatched away
• Secure your bag when you’re not moving
• Loop a strap around your leg or leg of a chair
• Use lockable zippers, twist-ties, paper clips, or key rings to keep your bag harder for pickpockets
• Be instantly alert anytime there’s a commotion — it might be a ruse for thieves to distract tourists
• Also be alert whenever you’re in a crowd, especially flea markets and train stations — places like these are a pickpocket’s playground because they are full of opportunities and easy escape exits

Be wary of scams

• There are many many subtle ways to be scammed — someone might charge you triple what a good normally costs or they might offer you a deal that sounds too good to be true (hint: it is!)
• NEVER get in an unmarked cab or taxi
• NEVER get in an unmarked cab or taxi
• NEVER get in an unmarked cab or taxi
• If you use Uber/Lyft, make sure everything matches up before getting in the vehicle

Money, money, money

• Be alert whenever money changes hands, even when you withdraw from ATMs
• Cash is safer
• Always know what you are paying for before handing over money
• Be sure to count your change
• Pickpockets can be very clever — don’t be fooled by sob stories or official-looking uniforms

Drinking guidelines

• Don’t drink alcohol outside your host family’s home
• Drinking puts you at risk of making bad choices that may cost you later
• When you’re out, NEVER let your drink out of your sight
• ALWAYS be aware of where your drinks come from
• ALWAYS watch your drinks from the bar until they get to you
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Be upfront if someone is buying you drinks or hitting on you and you don’t want their attention
• Drink plenty of water

Wildlife guidelines

• Don’t touch the wildlife
  • Even a cute little green frog can actually be very poisonous
• Check your shoes for cockroaches and spiders before putting them back on
  • You can just bang them together outside or on the porch

 

 

Save the emergency numbers for local authorities in your phone:

• ​Australia’s emergency number is 000

 

 

 

• An additional (optional) precaution:
  • Consider buying a defensive spray, such as the D.A.D.® 2. 
  • Check out how one Traveler used hers while living abroad
  • Use code ROMEABROAD for $30 off + free shipping ($10 value)

Emergency phone number

• Save the emergency numbers for local authorities in your phone
• Police phone number is 000 (not 911!)

Making friends

• There are Facebook Groups to meet others outside the Rome Abroad program
• Always be cautious meeting people from internet connections
• If you don’t feel good about meeting someone, don’t
• ALWAYS meet in public, safe areas
• ALWAYS tell your host mom where you’ll be, with whom, and when you’ll be back

Group links

• If you’re in Brisbane: Au-Pair in Brisbane / Australia
• If you’re in Sydney: Aupair in Sydney / Australia
• All over: Aupair Australia

Note: You’ll also have other networks to meet friends through our Australian colleagues 

Other precautions

• Log your travel plans with the State Department
  •  
• This allows the government to send you email alerts about potential problems abroad (i.e. demonstrations, etc.)
• Know how to contact the nearest American Embassy to your city
• U.S. Embassy in Canberra
  Moonah Place
  Yarralumla, ACT 2600
  Phone: (02) 6214-5600
• U.S. Consulate in Melbourne
  553 St. Kilda Road
  Melbourne, VIC 3004
  Phone: (03) 9526 5900
• U.S. Consulate in Perth
  4th Floor, 16 St. George’s Terrace
  Perth, WA 6000
  Phone: (08) 6144-5100
• U.S. Consulate in Sydney
  Level 10, MLC Centre
  19-29 Martin Place
  Sydney, NSW 2000
• Consider buying a defensive spray, such as the D.A.D.® 2. 
• Check out how one Traveler used hers while living abroad
• Use code ROMEABROAD for $30 off + free shipping ($10 value)