Dangers of Studying Abroad in Europe From the University of Kansas.
Studying Abroad can come with many dangers. Whether this is because of language barriers, unfamiliarity, cultural differences, or increased crime rates, there are many reasons to have an increased sense of awareness when being in a foreign area.
Many students attend larger Universities because of the opportunities they provide, like studying abroad. Here at the University of Kansas, according to the campus website, 980 students studied abroad during the 2021-2022 academic year. KU offers over 165 programs in more than 70 countries. Statistics from 2023 report that KU’s study abroad program is ranked 15th among public universities with over 20% of students participating in a program prior to graduation.
With having so many options comes more exposure to different languages and cultures. Language barriers can be intimidating for students considering studying abroad. It is easy to fear being led astray or not being able to interact with those around you as one is used to. The Europarc Federation says that often it might not be the other person’s accent but one’s own way of speaking that creates the biggest language barrier. Their site provides a list of tips that includes avoiding things like idioms and jargon that can easily be misinterpreted and to not be afraid of asking for clarification.
While many students at the University of Kansas participate in these programs, they each enter with their own concerns. Mila Hicks, a junior at the University of Kansas, participated in a program during Fall of 2023 in Paris, France to complete her business minor. Mila’s mom is European and she had grown up visiting her family in England so she was more familiar than most students with the idea of traveling to a different country. However there were still times she felt unsafe.
She reports she felt the most unsafe passing an area a block away from her host family’s home called Le Republique, where protests often broke out. She says, “Not only were there small protests, but there were large protests during the beginning of the war in Gaza. At Le Republique, protestors were vandalizing, setting off fireworks, and drew the attention of the French National Guard. The French government released around 7,000 troops throughout the country to keep the protests peaceful. While I was not worried about guns, since the only people with guns were government officials, I was scared of violence breaking out from the protests since it was so close to my home.” Mila shared a story about getting off the metro with her friends and seeing an empty suitcase. Fearful of a terrorist attack and wishing to be safe rather than sorry, they called a help number for support.
Stories like Mila’s are not uncommon for students studying abroad to experience. There are many precautions students can take to make sure they are prepared for potential situations. The U.S. Department of State has a Government travel site where you can check countries you are debating attending to see the state of Travel Advisory. This includes a 4 level system ranging from 1 being proceed as normal and 4 meaning do not travel. France, for example, is rated a Level 2, “Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest.” The U.S. Department of State also says, “Incidents such as pickpocketing and phone snatchings occur frequently and can happen anywhere”
A commonly discussed issue when traveling to Europe is pickpocketing. According to a European pickpocketing index created by a travel insurance company, QuoteZone, Italy is the worst for pick pocketing followed by France. Their research has shown that thousands of people have experienced pickpocketing while on trips to Europe.
Mila says while she was lucky to never experience pickpocketing she did notice a difference in cultures as she traveled around the continent. She says, “When I was in Southern European and Eurasian countries, I noticed a very hospitable culture, where everyone was happy to engage with others and help others out. The environment in Paris, London, etc is much different. People are very busy and want to mind their own business, let alone help a stranger who has fallen victim to pickpocketing, this also creates more of an atmosphere where pickpocketing could happen though, since everyone is worried about themselves and not paying much attention to the things going on around them.”
Mila stayed safe by taking the precautions of putting an airtag on all of her personal belongings, carrying a purse that zipped up and wearing a tote bag on her shoulder or a backpack with hidden locks/ zippers. She also made sure to share her location with her friends and tell her host family where she would be and when she would get back.
Being prepared to study abroad is very important in order to avoid potential risks. Having the knowledge of traveling with extra precaution can help ensure you stay aware of your surroundings. Many students learn important life lessons by navigating these new areas on their own. Even with the extra safety guidelines, students that make the decision to study abroad often find that it helps them gain lifelong memories
Interview contact information: Mila Hicks, (414) 248- 3242
Issue Story Broadcast Writing
McKenzie Henry 