Tips for international travel

By JESSICA ANDERSON
With High Holidays winding down, many of us may be getting ready for Fall and Winter travel – perhaps somewhere warm? Secure Community Network recently developed a Traveler Safety program, guiding folks on how to stay safe during domestic and international travel. The Traveler Safety Training was designed by a team of national professionals with critical real-world experience and deep instructional design backgrounds. The breadth of experience ranges from local to federal law enforcement professionals who themselves have traveled all over the world conducting investigations, operations, and personal travel. They have first-hand knowledge of best practices that will proactively enhance your safety and prevent making yourself an easy target. 
I’ll focus on international travel today. Moving beyond the basics of getting familiar with your destination, there are some basic steps you can take to minimize hassles. Before you head out make sure someone has your itinerary and do not share information on social media or with people outside of your trusted circle before you go. I’ve personally known people whose houses were broken into while on travel because they were too open about how long they would be gone. Also, consider hard-sided luggage which offers more protection for your items as well as securing an AirTag or other inexpensive tracking device inside your suitcase. Ensure you have a luggage tag, but only write your name and phone number, never your home address.
The overarching goals are to be aware, blend in, and have a plan. This might involve downloading maps ahead of time perhaps even printing some out in case there you have phone issues. Avoid the “overly helpful” offers of assistance and even in rideshares, have a sense of where you’re going and the general routes of travel. Make sure everyone in your group knows what to do if you get separated and keep the phone number of the closest US Embassy handy as well as the local emergency number.
Be knowledgeable about the area or neighborhood you’re in and consider how you look to others – do you blend? What do your clothes, carried items, and behavior say about you? Do you appear confident, even when you’re lost? 
Cultural knowledge is also a way to improve your safety – what are the norms of the area you’re traveling to? Be aware of the laws and any potential protest activity. Also consider how Americans are viewed in the area.
Lastly, the State Department recently launched an updated traveler program. According to their information, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) (https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step) is a free service for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates by email from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling in STEP also makes it easier for the State Department to contact U.S. citizens during an emergency. All U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad are strongly encouraged to enroll (or re-enroll) at www.step.state.gov. If you do end up calling the embassy for any reason, they’ll already have you on record as a traveler. 
These are just a few of the topics covered in this traveling course, if you’re interested in getting more information and best practices about your upcoming travel, please contact me at janderson@securecommunitynetwork.org or 872-273-9214.

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