2008 Woodie Awards
Spring break tips: be smart, be safe
Teague Dugan
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News & Features
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The State Department released a travel advisory this past January intended for U.S. college students traveling internationally over spring or summer break. There are a few noteworthy specific items but the main intent is clear: use common sense.
The memorandum notes that any flights coming back into the U.S. require a passport, whether or not flights to that country require one. Passports may take several weeks to obtain, so anyone traveling abroad for spring break that does not have one should apply immediately.
For those traveling in the Caribbean from Mar. 11 through Apr. 28 of this year, the Cricket World Cup will be taking place at various venues, so accommodations may be scarce or unavailable. Further, the notice warns that "any large-scale public gathering could be the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence."
It's important for students traveling abroad to recognize that U.S. laws no longer apply-one must become aware of the local laws, standards and customs to ensure safety while outside the U.S. Use particular caution regarding drug and alcohol use, which are traditionally sources of such incidents as robbery and sexual assault. The memorandum notes, "some countries have mandatory death sentences for drug offenses."
Americans are encouraged to register any travels with the U.S. State Department's website at https://travelregistration.state.gov, which enables friends or family back home to contact the traveling student in case of a family emergency or other crisis. Registration is a free service. For further information regarding student safety abroad, contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov.
"Be cognizant, and take reasonable precautions while traveling," Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students James Terhune, said. "Live your lives. Don't shrink away from opportunities, but exercise appropriate caution," he added.
Colby's policy toward students traveling outside the U.S. only applies to those taking part in research, grants, study abroad programs, or other programs sponsored or overseen explicitly by the college.
"We want to encourage people to travel abroad," Terhune said. "It's very much a part of the Colby program," he added.
But outside of those activities that Colby oversees, students traveling internationally are on their own. Students should understand the local laws and customs, know the territory, and most of all exercise common sense.
The memorandum notes that any flights coming back into the U.S. require a passport, whether or not flights to that country require one. Passports may take several weeks to obtain, so anyone traveling abroad for spring break that does not have one should apply immediately.
For those traveling in the Caribbean from Mar. 11 through Apr. 28 of this year, the Cricket World Cup will be taking place at various venues, so accommodations may be scarce or unavailable. Further, the notice warns that "any large-scale public gathering could be the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence."
It's important for students traveling abroad to recognize that U.S. laws no longer apply-one must become aware of the local laws, standards and customs to ensure safety while outside the U.S. Use particular caution regarding drug and alcohol use, which are traditionally sources of such incidents as robbery and sexual assault. The memorandum notes, "some countries have mandatory death sentences for drug offenses."
Americans are encouraged to register any travels with the U.S. State Department's website at https://travelregistration.state.gov, which enables friends or family back home to contact the traveling student in case of a family emergency or other crisis. Registration is a free service. For further information regarding student safety abroad, contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov.
"Be cognizant, and take reasonable precautions while traveling," Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students James Terhune, said. "Live your lives. Don't shrink away from opportunities, but exercise appropriate caution," he added.
Colby's policy toward students traveling outside the U.S. only applies to those taking part in research, grants, study abroad programs, or other programs sponsored or overseen explicitly by the college.
"We want to encourage people to travel abroad," Terhune said. "It's very much a part of the Colby program," he added.
But outside of those activities that Colby oversees, students traveling internationally are on their own. Students should understand the local laws and customs, know the territory, and most of all exercise common sense.
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