Stay abroad safe & sound as an au pair

Safety is a concern for nearly every traveller, especially au pairs, who are typically young women traveling solo. And even if the au pair herself (or himself) isn’t overly concerned about their safety, there are probably parents and agents back home who are! Below are a few tips for staying safe abroad.

Make sure you are healthy before you leave

It’s important that you start out your au pair programme healthy. We highly recommend seeing your doctor at least three months prior to leaving your home country in order to check your overall health. Not everyone is organized enough to plan a doctor’s visit that far in advance, but the important thing is that you do get a physical exam and check up with your doctor before leaving for your trip. The last thing you want to do is get to your new country and have a health issue that could have been prevented or treated beforehand.
Another benefit of visiting your doctor is that you can get prescriptions of any medications you will need to have for the first little while in a new country.

Remember dental health as well.

Visiting your dentist to check for any problems will also help ensure that you arrive to your new home in as good a shape as possible.

Get travel insurance

Having travel insurance will ensure that you are covered in the event of an emergency during the first weeks of your journey. It is usually not very expensive and is worth the small investment.

Safety while on route

Travel light, dressing casually (affluent-looking tourists are more likely to be victims of theft. Keep as few valuables as possible with you while traveling.

• Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
• Try not to travel alone at night.
• Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
• Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments.
• Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers.
• Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer to be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices
• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers.
• Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.

In the end, using common sense and paying attention to your surroundings will help ensure that you stay safe during your stay abroad. Use your head, be careful, and have fun!