<p>These things can happen anywhere but I think it helps if a kid has some street smarts before traveling. Not implying that this kid didn’t because no one knows how it happened yet. You can give your kid tips on safety - but they also think you are a fuddy duddy and worry too much and they think they are invincible. </p>
<p>Had to google Swedish Nanny murder. I remember the Scotish nanny who sent on trial for killing the baby, but have no recollection of the Swedish nanny story. </p>
<p>^I lived in Boston at the time. It was big news both here and in Europe. My husband’s Scandinavian and we heard from his relatives that a lot of Scandinavian families were turning down au pair placements in the US in the wake of the murder.</p>
<p>I don’t know how street savvy John Durkin was but I would say I’d be worried about any kid alone in a relatively strange city in the early morning hours, particularly after a few drinks. I can’t imagine how hard this is on his family and friends.</p>
<p>The area where the bar is, Campo de Fiori, is fine. (Have stayed there and walked all over- DH used to take students in winter.) We don’t know if he was walking to lodging or what. If he was, the area they mention isn’t one of the tourist hot spots. Some restaurants/bars along the way. We need to wait and see.</p>
<p>My youngest traveled through India & England for 5+ months after high school.
She had some adventures Im sure, but thankfully came home safe.
I knew she had relatively good judgement, but I also worried that she would over estimate her street savvy.
( plus 18? They are the prime age for thinking they know it all)
She did attend an inner city high school, but it was in Seattle, not L.A. or Chicago.</p>
<p>Our hotel recommended we stay away from Campo de Fiori at night. These were Italians giving us their guidance. My husband’s sales rep said the same thing. I beg to differ. We too walked there, but did so during the day. No, not a hot spot nor the hub of the city. We chose to stay closer in, it was more expensive but placed us closer to the sights and in a nicer area.</p>
<p>emerald, was she traveling alone or with a group? </p>
<p>I am a bit of a worrier - which is why I like when he is away at school and I don’t know what he is doing or where he is going. He has pretty good street smarts - but even at 20 he definitely doesn’t know it all. Of course, he thinks he does. We were all that way though, no? When I think back on some of the things I did when I was his age, I shudder. </p>
<p>She traveled some with some people she met through her volunteer stay in India, some travel was organized through the sponsoring group ( like weekend touring) but some was either by herself or with her Dutch roommate.
She went to the UK by herself & met up with friends in Leeds
She had asked me to help figure out her route from Heathrow to Yorkshire, but ?
Confusing… I wasn’t really able to help.
When she returned I asked her how she managed, she rolled her eyes at me,
" The signs are in English".</p>
<p>8-} </p>
<p>Outside the Campo (a big mostly pedestrian square,) it’s not very populated at night. Even the direct walk up to San Pietro, major road along the river, isn’t. In terms of sane nighttime walking choices, imo, that’s the issue. Not specifically that it is a high crime risk area. I’d be pretty nervous, too. But it’s not some sinkhole.</p>
<p>D1 has few street smarts. You don’t want to know. And she’s now in a foreign country, in a town where she’s only aware of one or two other Americans. Not many safety nets. Worry? Sure. </p>
<p>“The signs are in English”.</p>
<p>That is true but understanding someone speaking is another thing. I have good friends who are from the “grim north” and lots of times I just smile and nod. </p>
<p>I also know a few people who got hit by cars in London because they looked the wrong way when crossing the street. It can be hard to remember to look the opposite way! </p>
<p>Every street corner I saw in London had words painted on the ground: “LOOK THIS WAY!” with an arrow, or something to that effect. I appreciated that! But I won’t mind if I NEVER hear, “Mind the gap, mind the gap, mind the gap…” again. That’s the recording that plays endlessly in the subways for people getting on the trains.</p>
<p>DD, 15, is studying in Cadiz, Spain this semester. She has to walk to school every day. It’s about 15 minutes away. Everyone assures us that it’s very safe, but now I’m wondering what we were thinking, to let her go! She’s a tiny girl, but tough as nails. She’s doing great so far. Sending her to college will be a breeze after this!</p>
<p>But you have to remember to look at the ground! </p>
<p>“But I won’t mind if I NEVER hear, “Mind the gap, mind the gap, mind the gap…” again.”</p>
<p>This is why I prefer Paris. If they say something of the sort I am blissfully unaware. 
</p>
<p>Neat that your DD is an exchange student. I did an exchange when I was in 10th grade to Mexico City. I don’t think my parents gave a thought to worrying. They also put me on a plane and sent me 2000 miles away to a college I had never laid eyes on before I stepped on campus. </p>