Travel Advice: Safety

SAFETY DURING STUDY ABROAD
Many students are concerned with safety in Europe. Please rest assured that the film. “Taken” was a fantasy and that the reality is far more comforting. The statistical truth is that violent crime is almost non-existent in France and Italy, especially when compared to Miami and US. For 2009, the homicide rate per 100,000 in Italy is 1, France is 1.4, US is 5, and Miami is 7. Statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/index.html )

The one crime students should especially be aware of is pickpocketing. This is prevalent in areas frequented by tourists and on public transport. Males, keep your wallet in your front pocket; females keep your bag closed, and in front of you. Never put anything valuable in a backpack.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

TRAVEL ADVICE NOTE
This travel advice is primarily directed to students participating in Professor Bailly’s FIU Honors College España, France, and Italia, Study Abroad programs. It is intended to help twenty-somethings explore, seek adventure, and truly immerse themselves in a culture. The goals are to travel affordably, travel safely, and live like a local. Always remember, however, that what works for some, may not necessarily work for you. Ultimately, your decisions are your decisions.