Summer travel season is almost here, and thousands of students will be touring great cities around the world. If you're going to be among them, you'll want to be aware of some common-sense safety precautions. Experienced travelers will tell you that it's always a good idea to try to fit in with your surroundings. This can mean dressing just like the local people in the place you're visiting, but that's not always possible or practical. Instead, you can pack modest, comfortable clothing that you can wear in many different situations. Lightweight cotton pants or a long skirt, and a sweater or long-sleeved shirt to use as a cover-up when needed will be comfortable and appropriate in conservative cultures. If you're wearing a tank top and shorts in a Muslim country such as Malaysia, you may offend local people and be refused entry into some of the sights you want to visit. You will also stand out as an outsider, which can make you an attractive target for a thief. People all over the world can pick out American tourists because so many wear the "uniform" of shorts and a tee shirt with sneakers. Try to choose other types of comfortable shoes and clothing so that you won't be so easy to pick out in a crowd. Who wants to be a walking clichˇ anyway?! You'll want to be careful about the way you carry your money. Never put money or important documents in your backpack. It's too easy for someone to pull them out without you knowing. The best thing to do is to keep money, credit cards and passports as close to your body as you can. Money belts that can be worn under your clothes are the best choice. If you're carrying some kind of purse or bag on a strap, put the strap over your head and across your body, and keep one hand securely on the bag. If possible, wear a loose outer shirt or sweater over the bag so it isn't as visible or easy to grab. If the worst does happen and your things are stolen, keeping photocopies of your important papers and credit card information in another place will be helpful. Finally, don't forget about your behavior. We often feel safer with a group of friends, but a crowd of tourists talking and laughing loudly, not paying much attention to what is going on around them, can draw unwanted attention from thieves. If you're smiling and giggling at everybody, especially people that come up to you, you're going to be seen as easy to take advantage of. If you look purposeful and serious, criminals will be less likely to approach you. It's especially important for female travelers to realize that you don't have to be friendly, or even polite, to strangers that come up to you for money, to sell you something, or who try to touch you. Trust your feelings and take action. Yell, "stop," push the person away from you if you need to, and get away. You can be safe and still have a great time - you'll be more relaxed while you travel when you know you're prepared.
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