emeraldkity4

mini- for future reference
when someone cites reasons of concern- instead of blowing them off , I have found that it is much more empathetic to ask exactly what their concerns are- & to help them formulate a plan to deal with them.
They may be very valid concerns, even though they may not be your own, but my impression is that when ( sorry to pick on the males- but I have noticed this with men more than women), you don't know how to respond/ know the answer/or otherwise made nervous in someway by the question- "you've" found that the best defense is a good offense & I do think it is offensive to try and make someone feel ridiculous for their worries.

I dont have firsthand knowledge of studying abroad.I think many places there are risks all over, whether from the environment or from the citizens and it doesnt hurt to be forewarned.

There are different risks & opportunities for men than there are for women & it is much different if you can casually pass as a native than if you stick out as if American was tattooed across your forehead.

It isn't exactly a big plus to be easily identified as American. Not just an easy target to share your wealth, but an outlet for hostility.

Just from very casual interactions from immigrants to this area, it doesn't take long to see that there are those who view nativeborn Americans as rich, dumb and "easy".

As a caucasian woman, who dresses casually, by that I mean- according to the weather- not a dress code. I have found that just by trying to be "pretty", and to be "friendly" perhaps allowing a stranger to start a conversation on a bus or at a streetcorner, can be too much contact. Some cultures don't allow casual interaction between men and women, and even though the men who are immigrants, are coming into "my backyard", so to speak, they bring their judgments with them & have become hostile, sometimes dangerously so, because they apparently felt that I was "open", to them, when I thought I was just being friendly.

When you are in "their" backyard, and obviously stick out not only as a foreigner but as an American, it helps to be aware of their customs.
I think it is important to adopt the dress and behaviors of the country as much as possible, not just to get the most out of your stay, but to not offend

Even if you aren't even physically threatened, several of the kids I have known that traveled abroad have lost valuables/money through pickpockets or scam artists- which can be pretty tough- especially when the parents don't have the resources to duplicate everything they lost or even help them get an flight back home.
Its good to have backup plans.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/caution.htm
Ricksteves mostly deals with Europe but has some good tips for travelers anywhere

IndianaKate

Cheers - just re-read your post. not to be niave, but what is the point of travel insurance? thanks

paying3tuitions

I'm Jewish and here's what it means, "don't go around advertising that you're Jewish."
First, it's somewhat impossible since somehow everybody figures it out anyway.

But if I had to try, I'd say to not wear clothing that's overt: necklaces with stars of david or any other imagery -- chai's, hamsas -- because these are all known symbols.

I'd suggest boys not wear skullcaps or fringes -- but that's ridiculous since I assume that anyone who does knows better than to register for classes in Jordan or Egypt.

So "not advertising you're Jewish" means make no reference to celebrating any holidays. Don't say your family sent you a Hannukah present, just say it was a present. If someone says, "we don't eat pork here because of hallal," just soak it in, don't reply cheerfully, "hey, my grandma doesn't eat pork, either!" Giveaway.

Basically, go underground and live like a Moranno (secret Jew under the Spanish Inquisition of the 1490's). Act like a spy. Just don't discuss any side-references to Jewish food, holidays. No Jewish jokes. Don't bring up little cute stories about your rabbi from back home.

I guess that's what it means "not to advertise it." I have serious concerns for Jewish students studying in most of the Middle East, although since there's a cold peace between Jordan and Israel, and Egypt and Israel, and there are Israelis travelling in those countries (but no reciprocated interest), then of all the countries, I hope that Jordan and Egypt are manageable for American Jewish students.

Atlmom

nephew was in thailand last year during the coup. more scary was him getting sick over there.

Karen Colleges

BTW, Parents who are traveling or living overseas should also register with the state department. Who knows, your child (or your parents) might need to get information about you or to you.

cheers

Hmmm...as a parent of children who travel the globe independently, I can safely say that mine are not likely to arrogantly wander through dangerous spots just for the heck of it. My eldest son recently found himself in a hostile neighborhood, courtesy of a well-intentioned taxi driver. S1 went for a stroll in the neighborhood before he realized his presence was not appreciated. He returned to the guest house and booked alternate lodging in a more appropriate neighborhood for the following day.

On the other hand, he learned these lessons the hard way. He was mugged one night in Tanzania--walking home at night which is a no-no. He was 17.

Travel insurance covers health insurance for the trip (your US insurance won't cover illness abroad). It should also cover med vac out of Jordon to Europe or the US, in my opinion. It might also include evac insurance in the case of terrorism.

Proper insurance is not horrifically expensive.

hsmomstef

I haven't read all the posts (busy night for me) but my son spent last summer in Cairo and plans some future study abroad in the middle east. I would suggest the following :

know what plans are for evacuation in case of medical problems or unrest/terrorism in the area (think of lebanon last summer).

Student should be familiar with the culture (culture shock Jordan is a good book) and do their best to blend into the local culture, including adhereing to conservative customs. (for instance, some egyptian girls in Cairo dress very western in short skirts and tank tops -- American girls would do best to keep legs and arms covered, since that is the more conservative custom)

the coordinating program should be experienced and have good references -- check them out. Make sure that the company has experience in the city and country the student is travelling to.

make sure the student receives an orientation that covers appropriate conduct in the country and is mature enough to adhere to those suggestions. Not every student is ready to study abroad -- if your child likes to "push the envelope" and doesn't take directions from authority well , a study abroad program might not be a good choice.

understand how communications will work -- does the program have an emergency contact? how long to get ahold of a person in the country connected to the program? How will your student contact you? do they have multiple numbers of contacts in the country? have there been communications problems before?

I wouldn't hesistate to send my son to Jordan -- but he is male, can pass for a Syrian, speaks some Arabic and is very level-headed and listens to rules and obeys them -- I might think differently with another student.

Hanna

Another factor to consider is what safety precautions the university will take.

There were quite a few American students abroad in Lebanon when the most recent war began. Most Americans, including privileged people (like Anthony Bourdain and his film crew from the Travel Channel), had to wait for weeks for embassy help to get out via military transport.

Who got out first, the very next day? The kids from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Those universities had contracted in advance for private security firms to protect their kids in an emergency. We're talking armed escorts coming to get the kids, chartered planes, the whole nine yards. A lot of the HYP kids didn't even know that they were protected this way until they heard the bombs and help showed up.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/...aguers_le.html

It may not be fair, and it may not be PC, but when push comes to shove and there are bombs falling on your kid's dorm, the typical parent is going to be very glad to have this kind of insurance. (Parents on my college tours used to ask me whether the multibillion dollar endowments actually benefited students in any way...well, yes. There are some things money CAN buy.) I'd feel a lot more confident sending a child abroad if I knew that there was insurance covering emergency situations, whether that means escaping a war or a flying ambulance to a first-world hospital. I imagine that it's possible to buy such insurance yourself if the university program doesn't include it, though it must cost a fortune.

TheOneCurlyFry

I know this is off-topic, but I'm from India, and I was pretty shocked to read this:

I live in a much smaller city than Kolkata, down the same coast. I don't own ANY Indian traditional clothes, I've never faced any discrimination, and I don't know anyone who has, pretty much everyone these days wears western clothes. Sexual harassment - I've never experienced it, but then, someone mistook me for being ten years old a few days ago . I always thought India was pretty safe, though. Our family has hosted European girls who walked around in shorts, and no one said anything.

etselec

CurlyFry,

I don't pretend to know much at all about India in any sort of depth, and it's pretty much guaranteed that what is true for one city will not hold in another. I'm not exactly sure what makes Kolkata different from your city in terms of the atmosphere and attitudes towards young, white women who are alone in the city, It's hard to generalize India as being safe or unsafe, but my sister heard from other foreigners that the biggest cities were the hardest for women to be in. As for traditional clothing vs. not, I think many women in certain parts of Kolkata do wear western clothing, but in other parts of the city Western clothing really does stand out, and white women wearing Western clothing are more likely to be targeted by men.

overseas

Remember, I know many parents who will not send their children to the US for college because they don't think it is safe. This is the alternative side of the coin. I could talk to them until I am blue in the face about safety issues and location etc.etc. Then there are those who have travelled there and understand that much depends on wearing the robe of the country where you reside. Bad things can happen anywhere. It is important to use common sense. Also it is a good idea to be alert when you are not in your normal surroundings.

TheOneCurlyFry

at etselec:

I didn't mean to say "India is safe! How dare you say it's not?!". I was just really shocked at what she went through. Especially since Kolkata's a metro, and (from talking to people who live there), less conservative than my town. I know it's possible to go through all that. I just didn't know it actually happened to people, if that makes any sense? I mean, I know people could go through that because of some Indian attitudes, in theory, but I didn't know it actually happened in practice (as in, I've never heard of a real person going through it.)

overseas, I totally agree. My parents are pretty scared I'll get mugged and / or raped.

overseas

I am always thrilled to see students go far away to study. It takes something special. But you'll get back so much understanding in return.

Congrats on Oberlin, theone!

texastaximom

My oldest returns from Brazil in two weeks. Some of his time was spent in the larger cities such as Fortaleza. He did his ISP out on the MST with the landless migrant workers. I must admit my primary fear was over parasites/illness not threats to his physical safety. Another student from his university spent her time in the Amazon.

Not only does he now speak a mean Portuguese, but he has done a sit in at a Federal Building, and seen a futbol brawl, slept in a hammock and lived without electricity for weeks at a time, grown a wicked beard, and met some wonderful and inspiring people. He wants to go back on his own time some day. It looks like Venezuela is where the action is though.

Perhaps I am better at compartmentalizing my fear because my husband is in law enforcement. If I really thought about what he did all the time, I'd be a basket case.

blossom

Jim Henson died of a staph infection in a US hospital which regularly has foreign dignitaries and heads of state flown in for medical attention. Libby Zion died from neglect after a hassled, overworked, and under-slept resident ignored obvious signs of distress. There are people in some of the finest hospitals in the US who die from stupid mistakes every single day-- it doesn't mean that the hospital isn't first rate... but it does mean that human beings are fallible... even famous ones who are highly trained surgeons and para's.

If you are worried about the sanitary conditions in the hospitals in the country your kid is traveling in, you should probably not send your kid. Some people/families are suited to this kind of experience and others are not. Simple as that.