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Scholarship Recipient Safety Tips
Africa Kenya (Jodi Sebso) Traveling in Kenya is definitely not for the faint-hearted or those with back problems! Before you go, register with the US Embassy, which you can do quite easily by filling out an online form. Kenya is listed on the State Department's list of locations with travel warnings, so keep this in mind when planning a trip there. Places in Kenya such as Nairobi and the coast (Mombasa and Lamu), are typically considered slightly higher risk because they are more tourist-oriented. In addition, be sure to get your travel immunizations—typhoid, a polio booster, yellow fever, and meningitis vaccine, the only one that is optional. Overall, if you do your research and use common sense, you will find Kenya to be quite safe. When flying to Kenya, there are a number of airlines which you can choose from. British Airways, KLM, and Kenya Airways all service Nairobi. You will fly into the Jomo Kenyatta airport. You must have a visa to enter the country, and you can either get this before you depart by sending your passport and other required items to the Kenyan embassy in Washington, D.C., or by waiting in line at the airport once you arrive. All information can be found at www.kenyaembassy.com. I had my visa before I left home, which made customs take only about ten minutes. Be sure to leave plenty of time before your flight when you depart Nairobi, as the security is very tight (3 separate X-ray machines and several bag checks), and takes anywhere from 1-2 hours just to get to your gate. Once in Nairobi, you can either be met at the airport or take a taxi into town. While in town, there are a number of buses and matatus (small Nissan vans) that shuttle people around the city. Do not travel in one of these vehicles at night if you can avoid it. The streets become pretty unsafe at night, and there is a reason that the city's nickname is "Nairobbery!" Always keep money and other important items in a money belt. There have been incidences lately of buses on the way to the coast being held up by robbers who are savvy to money belts that hang around your neck or wrap around your waist, so the best kind to use would be one that you can attach around your leg. I spent the majority of my time in western Kenya near Lake Victoria and in southern Kenya near the Maasai Mara reserve. In order to get from Nairobi to Kisumu, the largest city in the west, there are several buses and matatus. I would recommend the Easy Coach bus company. While it is not the fastest way to travel, it is safe. It costs 700 Sh ($10) for a one-way ticket on a fairly comfortable bus that may have air-conditioning, if you are very lucky! The roads are in extremely bad condition, and the majority of your 7-hour trip will be spent bumping around due to huge potholes. But you will spy zebras, baboons, gazelles, and other animals as you drive through the Great Rift Valley. Once in Kisumu, you can catch a matatu or boda boda (a bicycle taxi) to get around the city. Boda bodas should cost you between 10-20 Sh per ride. Always take a taxi if you are traveling anywhere at night, or to get back to your hotel if you are at dinner or the like. A good safe hotel is the Sooper Guest House. (No, that's not a misspelling!) If you are traveling to any location along the lake, you will need to take a matatu. These vehicles are supposed to only hold 14 passengers and drive 80 km/hour, but this is rarely what occurs. I found that the best seats were in the very back by the windows. In this manner you get fresh air and are the least crowded when people are getting in and out during your trip. There are also sometimes small buses that travel to larger villages, and these afford more room but a much rougher ride once you hit dirt roads. There were several instances when I was literally flying out of my seat! A matatu ride of up to 2 hours should cost 150-180 Sh, max. Matatu drivers will charge based upon what they think you can pay, so be firm on your price. All matatus leave from the matatu stage in Kisumu, which anyone can easily point out to you. Nearly everyone that you meet is very friendly and wants to help however they can. Your smile will always be the best tool you have to approach situations. Have a great trip! Namibia (Emily Dodds) Make safe travel a priority. For example, set aside money to take a luxury bus or train when traveling long distances, and never travel at night. · If you are on the roads, be aware of the driver. Don't be afraid to get out if you don't feel safe. · Hitchhiking is a reality in many developing nations (especially those with no public transportation systems). The best choice is to arrange a ride with someone you know. If that's not possible, however, and you decide to hitchhike, here are some rules to follow: § Never travel at night. § Look for safe, reliable cars, always speak to the driver, and make sure there is at least one other woman in the car. § Never ride in an open truck. Nigeria (Stephanie Boarden) While in Nigeria, many of the people I met described their country as "rugged." After 3 moths of living and working there, I came to understand what they meant. I spent the majority of my time in Lagos and Benin City. Based on these two cities I found Nigeria to be fast-paced. There are few (hardly any in Benin City) stop signs or stop signs and traffic is congested much of the time during the day. The safest way to travel is by taxi. They are relatively inexpensive and will take you exactly where you need to go. Another option is the bus. They are generally full, especially if you are traveling in the morning or late afternoon. However, unlike other places I have been, everyone has a seat so you will not be forced to stand up. Although it is very likely that you will find yourself sandwiched with four others in a seat made for three. Be sure you know the final destination of the bus before you board and try to find out the correct price ahead of time. There are also commercial motorbikes, but these can be quite dangerous depending on the driver. I will pass on the advice given to me: "Do not ride the motorbikes." However, I had to take one once because nothing else was available. If you find yourself in a similar situation be sure to communicate with your driver. They are extremely receptive. If you ask them to slow down they will respect your wishes. When traveling between cities, avoid traveling at night. I was told repeatedly that this is not a good idea and most locals prefer daytime travel. If you have the option of taking the "Edegbe Line," take it. These buses are well maintained, regarded as safe, and for a little extra you can get air-conditioning. As long as you use good judgment you will be fine traveling in Nigeria. Do not do anything you feel uncomfortable with and be aware of your surroundings...SAFE TRAVELS! South Africa (Michelle Pent) Be aware of local customs, legal restrictions and politics when you travel abroad. · Obtain current information about a country's political situation and general information about health conditions, medical care, crime, and the embassy location before traveling abroad. The State Department provides travel advisories. · Whenever possible, take a cab that is associated with a hotel. If you must choose a cab at random, leave the cab registration number with someone in a very obvious manner before leaving. · If you must remain immobile during a lengthy flight, do frequent isometric exercises with your legs to help keep blood moving and prevent clots. · The rear section and the section by the wings are the strongest areas of a plane. Choose a seat in one of these areas whenever possible. Always note the nearest exit on the plane. Uganda
(Kelly Grafing) Pearls for safe and
enjoyable travel in Zambia (Nisha Thampi) Travel with members of your host family whenever possible. · Plan bus trips so that you depart for and arrive at your destination during the daylight hours. Zimbabwe (Ashley Currier), Check in with the U.S. embassy when you arrive just to be safe, and leave a copy of your itinerary, including the relevant contact information, with them. · There are Internet cafes in all of the major cities so you can (and should) email your parents and friends regularly. · I suggest leaving your bankcard at home. You can get by fine with traveler's checks and cash. · Always secure your belongings due to the high incidence of pickpocketing. Keep your wits about you at all times when traveling. · Remember that being polite at all times can diffuse potentially awkward situations. · If possible, fly direct from New York or Miami to Johannesburg and then on to Harare. The trip will be far less grueling. · Do secure letters of introduction, especially if you intend to do work at the University. Letters of introduction help immensely. · Taxi drivers are quite helpful and are good sources of information in general. They can tell you what suburbs to avoid, what routes are the safest for walking, and if there are strikes or protests planned. They also offer a unique perspective on the economic and political situation. · Commuter omnibuses (or "combis") are quite affordable but do pose some safety risks. The conductors squeeze as many as 20 people into a minivan and there are no governmental agencies that regulate their operations. · A bicycle can be purchased for a reasonable price if you don't want to use public transportation. You must be careful of erratic drivers of combis and emergency taxis (whose drivers can be scam artists). · Be sure to set aside money for your exit fee. In 2000, the exit fee was US$20, payable in US currency. · Change only small amounts of money at a time, and be aware of where you're changing money. Thieves loiter around banks and bureaux de change waiting to take your cash. Don't ever change money on the street. You can get scammed and even arrested. Most people are quite happy to take US currency anyway. · Leave your passport in a safe place and carry a copy of it with you. · Try not to carry a large bag or purse with you as it will make you a prime target for muggers. · Be aware that there are a lot of street children in Harare-good kids who've ended up in rotten situations. Don't let them dupe you, though, and NEVER pull out money on the streets to give to someone. Keep some change in your pocket if you want to be able to give people money on the street. · Victoria Falls can be seen as a day trip. You can fly round-trip on Air Zimbabwe and have plenty of time to see the National Park in a leisurely manner and still make it home before dinner. · The postal system is slow but adequate for sending postcards and letters. It's expensive, however, to ship items back to the US. You may want to consider air freighting bulky items. · If you travel to Zimbabwe in the winter, it gets chilly at night. Pack clothing items that can be layered because day temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Also, be careful to apply sunscreen often, even if you're only outside for a few minutes. · Be sure to pack an adequate supply of any prescription medications you take and carry a copy of the prescription with you. Other types of personal care products can be purchased in Zimbabwe. · There are national celebrations commemorating the national liberation movement on August 11 and 12. Plan on things being closed on those dates. · One of the most helpful tools in planning my trip was the Lonely Planet guide for Zimbabwe. Their online site "Thorn Tree" was also helpful. Asia India (Ericka Schnitzer) Travel by train rather than bus whenever possible. · Use mineral water for drinking, brushing your teeth, etc. India (Elizabeth Parsons) When traveling in the mountains, hire drivers who live in the mountain region. They know the roads and can drive them more safely than a driver from the city. Nepal (Karen Mera) Do not ride motorcycles in Nepal because appropriate medical care is not available for head injuries. · Do not ride buses at night. Bus drivers in Nepal tend to take drugs to stay awake when driving at night, and the buses' headlights are bad. Philippines (Lena Fairless) Carry your money in a money belt worn under your clothing. · Vary your arrival and departure times from your residence as much as possible while traveling abroad. This prevents thieves from learning your routine. Philippines (Jeanette Heinrichs) Kidnapping happens to tourists in the Philippines. In order to avoid it, never travel alone or ride a taxi or FX alone. · Carry a cell phone with you when you travel abroad, even if you don't normally use one at home. Thailand (Jaime Moo-Young) ·
In ·
For
taxis, make sure to choose cabs that say
“Taxi-Meter” on the top. Although crimes
involving taxi drivers and passengers are uncommon,
females should be wary of taking taxis home alone
late at night. Since some cab drivers do not speak
any English, it’s a good idea to have the
address/phone number of your destination available,
written out in both Thai and English, in order to
avoid getting lost in an unfamiliar area. ·
Tuk-tuks
are like mini, open-sided taxis that can take you
shorter distances and bypass some of the heavier
traffic. They’re reasonably safe if taken on a
side road for a short distance, but I’d advise
against taking them on the highway or picking one up
in a very congested area, as the exhaust fumes from
heavy traffic are very unpleasant and unhealthy. ·
In all
parts of ·
As a
pedestrian, be very careful when crossing the
street, especially in very busy areas such as ·
Unlike
in the ·
In ·
For
travel between provinces, there are several private
and government coach bus companies that provide
safe, reliable transportation. If you purchase your
ticket at one of the recognized provincial bus
stations, you can feel safe knowing that you’re
using a legitimate company. In the past, there were
reports of drivers of nighttime buses taking drugs
in order to stay awake overnight. Nowadays, this
practice is less common, and most companies require
2 drivers per overnight shift who can take turns,
thus eliminating the need for drivers to pull
all-nighters. If you feel uneasy about this, it
never hurts to double-check that there are 2 drivers
on your particular tour bus. Or, you can opt to take
a daytime bus instead of an overnight one. Be
careful of overcrowding and overbooking during the
most travel-heavy times of year, such as New
Year’s and the Songkran Festival (in mid-April);
it’s not a bad idea to avoid road travel
altogether during these holidays anyway. ·
Overall,
·
Especially
in touristy areas (like the ·
Especially
if you are female, don’t walk around alone at
night, avoid dark/deserted areas, and try to tell a
friend where you are going and when to expect you
back home. ·
Lock
your doors and windows, especially at night and when
leaving your apartment or guesthouse, as robberies
are not uncommon. If staying in a reputable
guesthouse or hotel, inquire whether there is a
safety box at the front desk for valuables. If you
feel uncertain about the legitimacy of the
guesthouse, it’s better to keep your valuables on
your person or locked up and within your sight at
all times. ·
Since
the government coup in September 2006, violence has
been kept to a minimum, but there have been
occasional bombings around ·
Deadly
bombings by Muslim insurgents in the southernmost
provinces (Yala, Songkla, Patani, and Narathiwat),
have become almost a daily occurrence in the past
couple of years. Avoid traveling to these areas
whenever possible, and be aware of travel
advisories.
Australia Australia (Kristine Schad) If you ride with a driver from a school program that makes you uncomfortable, speak to someone in charge immediately. If you are uncomfortable broaching the subject on your own, talk with other participants in order to have a group consensus. Europe Europe
(Tanyaporn Wansom)
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