Travel safety is a priority for the Department of State. Annually, around this time of year, many U.S. citizens travel overseas for Spring Break. It’s a great opportunity to experience another country or volunteer abroad, but -- as with any international travel -- it is important to plan for a safe trip and to try to avoid dangerous situations.
A lost passport, a traffic accident, an injury, or an illness are just a few unanticipated situations that could occur while traveling abroad. Would you be prepared to encounter any of those scenarios while on Spring Break? Don't let your vacation become a horror story.
If you are planning to travel abroad for Spring Break, make sure you are prepared by reading the State Department’s country specific information to learn more about the special circumstances of your destination. There, you will also find entry/exit requirements, U.S. embassy/consulate contact information, safety information, guidance on local laws, and other important things to know before you go. If you are a student, we also encourage you to visit our travel website for students, studentsabroad.state.gov, where you can find more specialized information before traveling internationally
Wherever your destination this spring, one of the most important things you can do before you travel is enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling in STEP, you will receive important information from the United States Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans. STEP enrollment also comes in handy should the U.S. Embassy – or your relatives -- need to contact you in an emergency, whether it be a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family-related emergency.
Finally, you can follow @TravelGov on Twitter and on Facebook to ensure that while you’re enjoying your spring break, you’re also set to receive our travel safety tips, real-time security messages, and travel alerts and warnings on your mobile phone or computer. We’re here to make sure you’re informed, connected, and prepared – but most importantly safe. With that in mind, we hope you’ll make use of our resources, and we wish you happy travels and a wonderful spring break.
About the Author: Alyssa Zalenski serves as Digital Media Advisor in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
