Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Traveling hassles can be simply avoided When traveling abroad, students should plan early and take all precautions to remain safe BY COREY GARRIOTT THE GAMECOCK With searches and delays, trav eling can be enough of a hassle even without the common travel pitfalls. If you will be going abroad this spring break, glance over these travel tips before you leave to ensure that your fun won’t be spoiled. First and foremost: apply for a visa and Passport as early as pos sible. This means today — go to the Post Office or to http://trav el.state.gov to obtain information on how to contact the foreign country’s embassy. Most countries will allow U.S. residents in their borders without a visa for a month to three months: still, you should check if your destination is outside of the traditional Western travel desti nations. Especially for nontraditional SURFYOURSELF Find out how to apply for your passport and visa http://travel.state.gov travel, always, of course, check the news for civil unrest in the coun try. For this sort of information and other social or political events that may affect your travel, go to www.state.gov and check the background notes section on your chosen country. But if you are already on the way to your country during a pe riod of unrest, head to the nearest U.S. embassy for short-term emer gency help. Second, if you are a woman traveling alone, be aware of the foreign views about your gen der’s social status. In some coun tries it is illegal to invite a mem ber of the opposite sex into your hotel room. In others, women have been arrested for improper dress. Even when it is not against the law, avoid casual clothing to avoid being singled out for physical vi olence and thievery. A good way to fit in is to take cues from local women. Leave jewelry, extra credit cards, valuables, et cetera at home. Leave a copy of your itin erary and your passport photo with addresses of the places you will stay, and check in with your family at important junctures. Some even advise wearing a wedding ring if you travel alone. If you think you are being fol lowed, step into a store and wait to see if the person following you has passed. Walk in the light and - always use your peephole in your hotel room. These and other confidence games may ward off danger. Lastly — goes without saying — don’t take any illegal drugs with you on your trip. It’s not worth the risk. There is little that anyone can do to help you get out of jail—the American consular is virtually powerless against drug violations. Many foreign nations are cracking down on even small pos session. Don’t think it can’t hap pen to you. Some countries inter rogate, use solitary confinement, enforce hard labor, levy fines, administer lashings, or might kill you, as they do in Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey, for drug possession. For other instances of foreign arrest, however, the consular will give you a list of local attorneys, intercede with local authorities to ensure humane treatment, and* protest mistreatment. The con sular cannot, however, demand your release from jail. For more information, call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services: (202)647- . 5225. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Fully Furnished 2 & 4 bedrooms Individual leases Private bedrooms Fully equipped kitchen Full size washer & dryer _________ Electronic alarm system apaRTmenTs Fire protection monitor - - Swimming pool Cayce, sc 29033 24 hr. access: Computer, copier (located adjacent to Parkland Plaza) ■ ■ ■ ■ K Pool tables, fitness room www.capston^dev.com Basketball, volleyball, tennis H°Ur^<io am - 4 ^ Free reserved parking a a a Free cable plus HBO 939*0444 I liijij M/s/ila J wumi k Jj»