Student Travel Safety Tips for Technology

By Danielle Wirsansky on May 12, 2017

Traveling around the country or the world is a great experience and can be so formative to a person’s character — which is why taking a big trip or traveling is often best done while you are a student.

But even as travel helps to turn a young adult into a worldlier adult, you have to remember that students are just that: students. This means that they do not know everything yet. And traveling can often be dangerous when you do not know what you are doing, and sometimes it can be dangerous even if you do.

So, as a student, if you have the opportunity to travel, you should! But you also need to be safe about it. Read on to learn some student travel safety tips to keep you secure as you sojourn around the world!

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Safety Apps

There are a plethora of apps to download, but you can get some that will specifically keep you safe while you are traveling. I specifically recommend the Watch Over Me app. According to their website, the app was inspired by a specific experience.

“When Watch Over Me’s cofounder, Xin-Ci Chin, escaped a kidnap and rape attempt in 2012, she realized that what happened to her was not unique in any way. After all, crime affects women in every city. But existing safety measures are filled with ‘don’ts.’ ‘Don’t go there alone at night,’ ‘Don’t wear that,’ ‘Don’t do that’ — these ‘cautionary’ measures are restrictive, and not relevant in the 21st century. With technology, we hope to arm women with information and awareness so they can make better decisions about their safety.”

You use the app by following these simple instructions:

“When you’re in a potentially vulnerable position, take these 3 super simple steps: ‘Tell us how long to watch over you for and we’ll track your location with our award-winning tracking service so you know you’re watched over. Share some details if you like. Add notes, a picture, or even ask a close friend to keep an extra eye out for you while you’re on your journey. Tell us when you’re safe. If you don’t tap ‘I’m Safe’ before time runs out, your loved ones will get an alert. We’ll provide them with your exact location on a map and whatever pictures or videos you’ve uploaded.’”

You can download this app on Apple or android devices!

Nail Polish

Going to a club or bar or pub can be fun, but it can also be a risky experience. Especially when you are traveling and away from home and are out of your comfort zone, you are more at risk. Keep yourself safe with Undercover Colors, a nail polish that detects drugs in your drink!

Its slogan is “Power at your Fingertips!” which definitely promotes the right attitude for a student traveler. Their website explains why the nail polish is important as well as how it works:

“The only perfect solution to drug-induced sexual assault is ending it altogether. As we all work toward that ideal, Undercover Colors’ technology provides wearable protection at your fingertips. Simply dip your finger into a verified beverage and within seconds the presence of prevalent date rape drugs will be identified in color change.”

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Universal Adapter

There is nothing worse than arriving at a hotel or hostel and getting ready for bed when you discover that you cannot charge your cell phone during the night because your charger plug is not compatible with the outlets in this new place? That your hair drier will not be able to be used in the morning? That when your laptop’s battery goes out, you will be stuck without a form of communication?

Avoid this kind of stress and possible bad situation by packing and bring a universal adapter with you on your travels. A universal adapter has the accouterments to change its prongs and plug into any kind of outlet, no matter what the country. And no matter what kind of prongs your plug has, it will fit into the adapter.

You might not be able to charge more than one item at a time (unless you buy a couple of adapters) but they can be absolute life savers in a world where we rely so heavily on technology. They sell them in most countries, but it is always easier (and safer) to just buy one before you even begin your travels. They are not too expensive either so you do not have to worry about cost before purchasing yourself one — you might even consider getting an extra one or two in case of emergency.

Keep yourself safe and comfortable by being able to charge your devices and stay in contact with the world and your loved ones who might otherwise become worried about you.

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