Deciding to study abroad is a roller coaster ride of emotions not only for you but also for your parents and family. No doubt it’s going to be fun and adventurous to live in another nation on your own. Even if you are accepted by the world’s best university, there is one thing which will always be common in all international students – parents’ concern for their safety. In the fuss of endeavoring admission in topmost universities at a prime location, safety is one factor about which is underrated in the fashion of education abroad. 

You can’t say that studying abroad is not safe as every year, lakhs of students go and pursue their dreams. Your parents must be worried about your safety every minute and there is nothing which can soothe them except your own voice. That’s up to you but apart from that, you should be acquainted with the safety guidelines of the host country. For those who don’t know where to start to gain information about their safety, keep on reading this article. There are many tips that should follow for your safety as an international student. They are listed below: 

1. Save Emergency Contact Numbers – To start with some tips, the first thing you should remember is to contact your university authorities if you feel unsafe in any circumstances. Or you should learn the emergency contact numbers valid in your locals. Save some phone numbers of your closed one in your phone on the list of emergency contact. For example – if you are studying in the UK, then the national emergency contact no. is 999 or 112. 

2. Safety at your apartment – Always cross-checks the background of the residence or apartment in which you are planning to live. Assess the environment and security nearby. Moreover, you should always keep doors locked and your valuables in a locked cupboard. One way to keep every valuable safe is to keep them at different places. Choose only those places which you can remember. 

3. Explore your city and get acquainted with roads – Living in another city might be difficult and the initial days will be quite busy. As soon as you get time, go and explore the city. Make yourself aware of the whereabouts of a hospital, chemist shop, grocery store, bus stand, etc. Also, note down the address of your apartment and keep it always with you. It will help you with the cases if you forget the address. Download the timetables of buses and roadmaps to important places. 

4. Try to maintain a low profile – By keeping a low profile, we are not saying to remain hidden. Instead, it would be good if you won’t show off your expensive things or talk aloud. Try to wear clothes like the people of the host country so that you are gaining attention from the natives. We are suggesting this because some people will try to misguide you thinking that you are a foreigner or a person new to the city.

5. Get health insurance – Inquire the insurance authorities if they provide health insurance applicable in the country where you are going to study. If your home country doesn’t have such a policy, then you should apply for health insurance in the host country before moving in. 

6. Be careful in crowded areas –  This tip is not for international students but for everyone in general. Carelessness in crowded areas gives an invitation to pickpocketers. If you go to clubs, then toxic people can tease you or misbehave with you. Thus, apart from fun, you should be careful about your belongings and the people around you. 

7. Install required apps and software – All information is available on the internet including the security applications which you should download for your own safety. Also, install security software on your PC or laptop to make it secure from harmful networks.