Safety Abroad

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     With the growing conflict throughout the world, many may wonder how safe studying abroad may actually be. Is learning about cultures in our classrooms safer than studying abroad or are enough precautions being taken for students in this dangerous world?
     According to the article in the Detroit News, "Turmoil Shouldn't Deter Study Abroad," participation in study abroad programs actually increased 40 percent between 2000 and 2006. Not even with the 2003 SARS breakout, the Madrid bombings of 2004, or the lingering effects from September 11th were students deterred from spending weeks in a foreign country. 
     With the turmoil and uncertainty in the world precautions can always be taken to protect oneself. Self defense classes and first aid training are two simple ways to ensure that students have the basic tools to defend themselves. Along with these tools it is also a good idea to have a local contact you can rely on. Their knowledge of the city may come in handy when planning an excursion or knowing which streets to avoid. Having this basic knowledge puts each student one step ahead of their basic criminal and could be the difference between getting mugged or not. 
    Random acts of violence occur in every country but having some basic self defense and knowledge of the city will go a long way in each student's safety. Many programs are now requiring some type of self defense or first aid training before studying abroad to help protect their students from violence and muggings which hopefully will protect the students in foreign countries.