Common sense is a key to smooth travel.
Student travel groups often work with a SYTA member tour operator, whose expertise and presence guides the way. While there are many benefits to having a tour leader accompany your group, you may also need to lead.
Consider these tips, to help keep domestic travels running smoothly.
Be aware of your surroundings. Be confident. Be alert.
- Always act as though you know where you’re going. If you find yourself lost or confused, seek an authoritative person for help.
- Avoid public demonstrations or other civil disturbances.
- Monitor your belongings. Use inside pockets or a cross-body bag wrapped across your chest, not outside pockets, fanny packs or handbags.
- Do not list your home address on your luggage tags.
- Do not wear name tags in public—or turn them so your name faces away.
- Wear clothing with inoffensive text or images.
Stay safe and secure.
- Check domestic travel alerts before and during travel. | Department of Homeland Security | TSA
- Lock doors and windows where you’re staying.
- Be inconspicuous. Do not wear expensive jewelry.
- Do not divulge personal information to strangers.
- Do not draw attention to any nationality or perceived entitlement.
- Do not get into a vehicle or otherwise go with strangers.
- Stay in groups, or with an assigned buddy.
- Do not leave electronics or other devices unattended.
- Exercise caution when withdrawing cash from an ATM. Do not do so alone.
- Guard your identification and credit cards.
- Expect the unexpected. Be prepared and be flexible.
- Review your itinerary, repeatedly.
Ensure good behavior.
- Discuss your students’ code of conduct and expectations.
- Prohibit use of alcohol and illegal drugs.
- Prohibit use of profanity, vulgarity and obscenity.
- Make students aware of local cultural differences that may affect them.
- Do not tolerate teasing of other travelers, physical bullying and violence.
- Do not tolerate behavior that endangers the health and safety of others.
- Make it clear that inappropriate or illegal behavior may result in the student being returned home.
And always, ensure that every member of your group carries a list of emergency contacts and phone numbers for all people who will be traveling with you.
Safe travels!
Courtesy of Teach & Travel.
This article originally appeared in Teach & Travel.
