How to Keep Safe
The most important thing about being safe overseas, it taking all of the necessary precautions and being responsible. Below we note several of the most effective ways of keeping yourself safe.
Call Home
Not only with your mother be glad that she’s hearing from you, but it’s best to let someone know where you will be at all times to prevent people from worrying needlessly. You should leave an itinerary with your host family and/or your Panrimo Coordinator if you plan to be gone for long periods of holiday travel. Please keep in contact with your family in the U.S. on a regular basis and let them know how you are doing. They will undoubtedly have concerns while you are away.
Read the News
Panrimo will send you any and all important news alerts while you are overseas, but in addition, you should also read local newspapers and websites. Not only will you learn the local language better, but you will be more prepared for conversations with locals and it will help keep you alert.
Stay Alert
Be aware of your surroundings, including unknown individuals hanging around your building or any strange activity nearby. Be careful of who has access to your room or apartment. Visitors should be screened and delivery persons should be asked for identification and not be left unsupervised. Make sure to always lock your doors.
Take Precautions
Take the same precautions you would at home. Do not give out your name or address and do not share program information with strangers. During your orientation, Panrimo will tell you where the nearest police stations and hospitals are, along with a list of emergency numbers to keep handy. Do not go into unsafe or unknown areas alone after dark.
See a Doctor
If you are feeling unwell, don’t be afraid to go to the doctor’s office overseas. In order to keep yourself safe, you need to keep yourself healthy. A list of doctors and hospitals will be listed in your acceptance packet, along with their locations. Don’t hesitate to keep yourself well.
Avoid Illegal Drugs
Avoid all involvement with marijuana or any other contraband drugs. Panrimo nor your home University can assume responsibility for you if you are confined for drug use. Laws very from country to country, and in some cases, they can be very severe. Students should not wrongly assume that buying or carrying even small amounts of drugs cannot result in arrest. You will also risk jeopardizing your welfare, other students’ safety, and the future of the program.
If approached by someone selling drugs, walk away. Do not even talk to that person, because a conversation with a suspected narcotics pusher is seen as an act of “intent to purchase” by some countries. Laws concerning drugs are much more stringent, and penalties, more severe, in Latin America, Asia and Europe than in the U.S. Conditions of imprisonment in a foreign jail are not something you want to check out. Remember that being a citizen of the United States does not matter. You are subject to the laws of the country you are in, so the U.S. Consulate cannot get you released if you are arrested. They can only help notify family and arrange for legal representation.
Alcohol
Though many other countries do not have an age limit for the consumption of alcohol, it is wise not to take that fact for granted. Not only will you be regarded with little respect, but you will have to face serious consequences if you choose to abuse alcohol, including dismissal from the Panrimo’s program.
