I Survived A Crisis While Traveling The World Alone—Here Are 11 Things I Learned
The world throws curveballs, and nowhere is that more evident than when you're abroad.
When I found myself in Singapore during the Covid outbreak in 2020, I called International SOS staffers and my university crisis team to help me evacuate. They advised me to stock up on food and cash if I became stuck. I stood in line for hours at the grocery store to grab essential goods and pulled cash out of an ATM in case I had to pay someone extra to take me to the airport. All this while, a dedicated team back home was scrambling to find me a flight home, arrange airport transportation, and create a contingency plan if I became stuck in the country. Within a week, I was back safely in the U.S. but shaken from the entire ordeal. What if this had happened without the resources and support of my university?
What You Can Do To Be Prepared for the Unexpected
From the escalating tensions in Eastern Europe to the chilling reality of a terrorist attack in Israel to the devastation of a massive earthquake in Turkey to the ever-present threat of virus outbreaks in places like Kenya, unforeseen crises can erupt anywhere. Even seemingly mundane situations can become hurdles – frequent flight cancellations can strand you, and ATM blocks can throw off your finances. My travels have been a testament to this unpredictability. I've been caught in the throes of the Covid outbreak in Singapore, battled serious illness while in Kenya, navigated blackouts in South Africa, and even faced a sudden travel ban to Taiwan while already on my way.
While I am no crisis guru or counterterrorism expert, I’ve been there. I've faced unexpected challenges on the road, from illness to travel disruptions. I believe I am in a position to suggest a few smart things that travelers headed to uncertain or new areas can do, say, carry, pack, and prepare for when traveling.
The truth is, anything can happen while abroad. While statistics show a low percentage of travelers encountering major crimes, even a minor setback can leave you feeling unprepared. The key? Having a plan in place to navigate the unexpected.
While there are security services that you can hire to be your “catch-all'' crisis manager, for most travelers, meticulous planning is a more realistic – and affordable – approach to minimizing risk abroad. A little preparation can go a long way when responding to the unexpected. You must be a bit obsessive in your planning, especially if you plan on traveling to locations that are off the beaten path.
Start by diving deep into a destination's history, culture, customs, government, religions, and possible risks (natural and man-made). For example, if you plan to travel to a Muslim-majority country, like Morocco, and learn that you’ll be there during Ramadan, you probably want to change your travel dates. You can also refer to the U.S. State Department for up-to-date information and can set up daily email digests from the Overseas Travel Council.
In the age when the ability to make a phone call or send an email is taken for granted, it’s easy to overlook the issue of communication on a trip abroad. Your ability to communicate at a moment’s notice could quite literally be the difference between life and death. Take my own experience moving to South Africa. I was unaware of the intensity of daily blackouts that affected the entire country. On my first day at 8 p.m., the entire city went dark – no traffic lights, street lamps, or even power to the security gates outside my apartment. My WiFi was down, and cell service was unreliable at best.
I was aware of the blackouts when I moved to South Africa and was assured that a generator would keep on the power (it didn’t) and that it wasn’t that frequent (it was multiple hours per day). Pre-travel research prevented a potentially worse outcome from the blackouts. An app predicting blackouts became a lifesaver, allowing me to plan my day around available power. I even switched to a mobile provider known for its blackout-proof service. These seemingly minor adjustments ensured I always had a lifeline, even in the dark.
I also kept several power banks with me in case the outage stretched longer than planned. I kept extra cash on hand, which I needed during power outages because credit card readers don’t work when there is no internet. This level of preparation and flexibility is required when managing potential crises abroad.
Practical Tips To Be Prepared
Here are a few tips for staying safe once you are abroad, especially if you are traveling to places that may not be welcoming toward tourists and/or the West.
Monitor the news. You need to understand what is happening each day in whatever region and city you're in.
Try not to look like a tourist. Think of the stereotypical tourist look: U.S. branded t-shirt, Google Maps open on your phone, visor. You get the picture. Don’t do that.
Dress conservatively. Research the style of clothes that people in that country wear. Match or exceed the level of conservativeness. Avoid wearing bright colors. You want to blend in as much as possible. When you stick out, you become an easy target.
Delay your social sharing. Those aesthetic travel photos and videos can wait! Posting your location in real-time allows unwanted parties the opportunity to stalk you. Share your travel adventures only after leaving a location.
Avoid public gatherings in large public squares. Things can quickly escalate, and you do not want to find yourself in the middle of a mob or political rally. Remember, once you're in the mob, everything the mob does you are also guilty of doing, even if you were just there by accident.
Bypass nightclubs or bars where Westerners or Americans typically gather. Skip bars or nightclubs catering mainly to Westerners. These can be hotspots for pickpockets and other crimes. Ask your hotel staff for recommendations on safe and authentic nightlife experiences.
Be careful what you photograph. In my early traveling naiveness and after an all-nighter from my flight, I pulled out my phone while entering customs in Mexico City. At which, I was swiftly ushered out of the line and questioned before entering the country. The same goes for photographing people, sacred places, and government buildings or workers. Just don’t.
Make sure your hotel has a great concierge. They are your local advisors! Choose a hotel with a reputable concierge who can recommend safe areas, trustworthy taxi services, and places to explore.
Hire a private English-speaking guide/fixer/strategist who will keep you safe. For off-the-beaten-path destinations, consider hiring a reputable English-speaking guide who understands the local language and customs. It can enhance your experience and keep you safe.
Say you’re Canadian. If an angry-sounding person asks where you are from or if you are American, say you are Canadian. It's not uncommon to run into anti-Western and anti-American sentiment while abroad.
A few things to carry: A waist pouch to hide money, both local currency and U.S. dollars; your hotel’s business card; a cell phone with pre-programmed emergency numbers; a mini flashlight; a color photocopy of your passport (this will serve as your ID while your real passport sits in a safe); and a portable charger.
Remember: These are just suggestions to consider while traveling. Always prioritize common sense and trust your instincts!
Closing Thoughts
Don’t let the potential risk hold you back from traveling. See things you want to see, but be smart about it. By understanding your destination and potential risks, you will be better equipped to handle crisis situations if they arise. While you can't predict everything, you can prepare potential responses. Happy travels!
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