Safety
Tips
The most important
factor in your safety abroad is likely to be your behaviour. It's wise to do
the following:
- Be
aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't wander through unfamiliar
areas alone, and always remain alert.
- Use
caution when walking or jogging. Remember that in some countries, drivers
use the left side of the road. In certain areas, drivers may not expect
anyone to be running along the road.
- When
crossing streets, keep in mind that pedestrians may not be given the right
of way.
- Be
careful with alcohol. If you drink, make sure it is only with people you
know and trust, and designate one person to remain sober. Never drink and
drive. (Drunk driving laws abroad are sometimes much more severe than you
find in Africa and some parts of Asia).
- Don't
attract attention to yourself with provocative clothing or boisterous
conversation in public. Observe local students' behaviour, and try to
mimic it.
- Use
only official taxis. Unless meters are used, agree on the fare before you
get in.
- Stay
away from demonstrations or any kind of civil disturbances. Even innocent
bystanders can be hurt or arrested.
- Protect
your passport. Keep it with you safely. Be careful when displaying it.
- Accidents
can happen anywhere. If driving, know what local traffic laws are and
follow them. Always use a seat-belt. Make sure you understand local road
signs and signals. There’s always a severe punishment for road law
breakers.
- Remain
alert when walking. Before crossing streets, remember to look both ways;
in some countries, traffic will be coming from the opposite direction from
what you would expect.
- While
these preventative measures can ward off some dangers, anyone can be a
victim of a random accident or theft. For these rare circumstances, it is
a good idea to have travel insurance available in case medical attention
is needed, or stolen goods need to be replaced.
Packing
And Travel Tips
Smart packing is a
must for any student who wants to travel abroad to study. Many hosting
universities have packing checklists available, which will alleviate any
uncertainty when deciding what to bring and what not to bring. Following these
tips will also help with the process:
- Ensure
you have a travel insurance
- Find
out what the typical weather pattern in the selected country during this
time period.
- If you
are travelling during the winter season, ensure that you carry along with you
jackets and other warm clothes. And if you are travelling during the
summer season, carry T-shirts and other light clothes.
- Research
how many pieces of luggage can be taken on an international flight and
what is the allowed weight limit for each piece. Though you can always pay
for excess luggage, however, some airlines have bigger capacity for
luggage than others.
- Make
sure the luggage meets all of the safety and customs requirements for
international flights.
- Always
keep valuables such as money, passport, credentials and camera equipment
in your handbag, which should stay with the student at all times during
the flight.
- As a
parent, if your child has a large amount of baggage, check with the host
institution to see if some of it can be shipped in advance.
- Always
beware of fraudsters when you arrive at the airport. Don’t give money or
hand your luggage over to anyone. Wait until you see the Representative of
Higherway Educational Consultant who was sent to pick you up from the
airport.
When you finally arrive, a Representative of Higherway Educational
Consultant would:
1. 1. Help u obtain a new SIM CARD for your phone.
2. 2. Conduct you round the city to have a good view of the city and country
at large.
3. 3. Take you to the Bank to open a new Bank Account.
4. 4. Help you obtain a Student Card (Student Card gives you access for
cheaper transport fare for bus and Train).
NOTE: Please note that
the ideal monthly cost of living for students studying abroad is between $300
-$600. This is dependent on the student’s personal lifestyle.
Travel Warnings
We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to
consider very carefully whether you should go to a particular country at all.
Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable
government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist
attacks. We want you to know the risks of travelling to these places and to
strongly consider not going to them at all. Travel Warnings remain in place
until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years and Higherway
Educational Consultant will always guide you in this.
