With spring break around the corner, many students are planning a trip. Some are even venturing abroad. Whether it is the first time going abroad or the 10th, it is always a good idea to be prepared.
Melissa Kaltenbach, Union Travel Center director, emphasized the need to \be familiar with customs and laws so you don't break any inadvertently.""
This is not as unlikely as one may think; each year more than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad according to the U.S. Department of State. Drug and alcohol laws vary from country to country. Just because marijuana is legal in Amsterdam doesn't mean that a person will not be thrown in jail for possession in neighboring countries.
Although drinking is on the agenda of many spring-breakers, many stress the importance of being responsible. The U.S. Department of State also warns that students have previously been arrested for public intoxication, underage drinking and drunk driving.
""Don't think that just because you're a foreigner, you'll get special treatment,"" said Maria Hermosilla, a well-traveled UW-Madison senior from Chile.
UW-Madison senior Amy Westphal recommended to ""write to the consulate or tourist authority before going.""
The consulate can supply a lot of important information and can be accessed at http://travel.state.gov. The Wisconsin Union Travel Center is a resource guide to working, volunteering, studying and traveling abroad. They have free brochures, travel guides at discounted prices and a knowledgeable staff.
Passports can take you a long way. Make sure that you have one and it's not expired. Procrastination on this can leave you grounded. The Wisconsin Union Travel Center can take passport photos for you. The closest passport office to campus is located at Capitol Station Post Office, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. A new passport is $85 and a renewal can be obtained through the mail for $55. Kaltenbach recommended leaving a copy of it and any other documents you are taking with you at home, because it will be easier to replace your passport or credit card if necessary.
""You never know when a serious accident can happen,"" Kaltenbach said. Travelers' insurance is ideal since health and baggage location can never be assured. Whether you plan to get insurance or not, you should not overlook current insurance. Check to find out if you will be covered under your parents' insurance if something happens while abroad.
Personal safety and security are things of which students should always be conscious, but they are especially important when traveling. Kaltenbach summed it up with ""be aware."" Tourists are a common target for theft and harassment. Kaltenbach emphasized some general safety rules to keep in mind: don't travel alone at night, travel in groups of at least two people if possible, don't take anything that is irreplaceable, lock hotel doors, use the safe if there is one and stay in contact with someone from home.
If your body or stomach is sensitive to new things, it is important to not get sick and waste away your vacation. Beware of what you eat and try to avoid street-vendor food. Also, drinking bottled water is advisable for everyone.
To cope with the possibility of losing luggage, UW-Madison senior Rachel Barger recommended that travelers ""pack a change of clothes in carry-on.""
If money becomes an issue, ATM machines are located in many countries around the world. The consulate office should be able to help if you lose your passport.
For those who want to get away, but haven't planned anything yet, there are still spots open to go to Canc??n and Acapulco through the Travel Center.
