Archives

Namibia – Emily Dodds (1998)

Emily Dodds was our first recipient. A graduate of Notre Dame, Emily was granted a scholarship of $2500. This funding helped defray the costs of participating in the WorldTeach program in Namibia, Africa. Emily returned from Africa in December 1998, and visited the Schewes in Amherst in January 1999.

Here are Emily’s travel safety tips:

Make safe travel a priority. For example, set aside money to take a luxury bus or train when traveling long distances, and never travel at night. If you are on the roads, be aware of the driver. Don’t be afraid to get out if you don’t feel safe. Hitchhiking is a reality in many developing nations (especially those with no public transportation systems). The best choice is to arrange a ride with someone you know. If that’s not possible, however, and you decide to hitchhike, here are some rules to follow:

  • Never travel at night.
  • Look for safe, reliable cars, always speak to the driver, and make sure there is at least one other woman in the car.
  • Never ride in an open truck.
This entry was posted on November 7, 2012, in 1998, Africa.

Uganda – Jocelyn Cook (2009)

Jocelyn Cook has a masters degree in global studies from Northeastern University. Thanks to a $1000 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation, Jocelyn spent three months in Uganda working for general health and specifically AIDS education for a non-profit foundation.

Here are Jocelyn’s travel safety tips:

Hire a private driver opposed to public transit – this may add to your cost considerably but when you consider your overall safety and well being – the cost really is nominal.

Travel with a friend on errands – I went to pick my husband up at the airport and it was 4 hours away so I recruited a local whom I had become friendly with and treated her to a nice lunch in exchange for riding with me to and from the airport. Not only did she know the drivers language, but she ensured I wouldn’t be alone for the four hour trip to pick up my husband.

Do not carry all your money on you in one place so that when you go to pay for something you have only a limited amount of cash in your pocket. This also helps when negotiating taxi fares etc., because you are pulling a set amount out of your pocket so one could assume that is all you have available.

This entry was posted on November 7, 2012, in 2009, Africa.

Kenya – Jackie Mroz (2010)

Jackie Mroz is a graduate of the University of Oregon. Jackie is spending the academic year (2010-2011) in Kenya, interning with the Foundation for Sustainable Development. Jackie received a $2000 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation.

Here are Jackie’s travel safety tips:

  • Follow your gut. If something feels unsafe or “not-right”, leave or seek a safer spot.
  • Register with the U.S. Embassy and do some research before you leave. The US government puts travel warnings online for countries that they feel are unsafe or unstable for citizens to travel too. It is important to be aware of any of these warnings. Registering with the US Embassy is important in the case that an evacuation or information about your whereabouts is necessary. Also, getting to know the culture, language, and transportation options will reduce the number of surprises a traveler is faced with when in country.
  • Get to know people in the community. Getting to know the local people is not only respectful to the community in which you are staying, but is a safely measure that should be taken. Finding people you trust and can go to in a dangerous situation is key to staying safe. Also, your new friends will be able to help you navigate the community in the safest manner. You wouldn’t want to find yourself in a situation that could have been avoided had you just talked to a neighbor or friend about its safety or reliability.
  • Matatu’s are individually owned and operated vans that are used for traveling longer distances, such as from one community to the next. Unfortunately, the drivers often pick up up to 21 passengers in order to make larger profits. Often, you will find people sitting on top of each other or hanging on to the side of the van while it is in motion. If you must use a matatu, sit near an unbarred window, preferably next to a door or in the front seat. If it gets overcrowded, get off and get on another, less crowded one.
  • Pikipiki’s are individually owned and operated motorcycles. They are very common in Kakamega for getting quickly across town. If hiring a pikipiki driver, find one that will allow you to use his helmet. I would not suggest riding one in the rain. Lastly, when negotiating price, check the driver’s ability to drive. If he is under the influence, do not get on the back of the bike. I suggest finding a pikipiki driver that you know and trust, exchange phone numbers, and call him when you need a ride (like a taxi).
  • Boda boda’s are bicycles. They are relatively safe and cheap. The same travel tips for a pikipiki apply however. Remember, most boda boda drivers will ride on the side of busy street where cars, taxis, and vans zoom by. A bicycle ride may seem innocent, until you find yourself fallen off because a person walked in front of you, or the driver was not paying attention to the pothole he just hit.
  • Don’t go out at night alone. In the US we generally say this rule applies for women. However, in Kakamega, I would say this applies to everyone. Most locals don’t even like to be out at night alone. Follow their example and go in a group, if necessary.
  • Always have contact information on you. If you live with a host family, memorize their number and make them aware that you plan on using them as an emergency contact. Keep a notecard with you agency/program contact information on it. If an emergency were to arise, you would not want to have to think about what phone number to call. Having a quick reference list will ease the stress of the situation and get help to you faster.
  • Don’t carry valuable or any more money than you will need during your time out. This will help you feel less nervous about being out and about. Pick-pocketing is common. In the unfortunate event that you are a victim of it, you may need to call for a ride, or not be able to buy your lunch, but you will still have the bulk of your money and valuables in order to enjoy the rest of your trip.
  • Blend in. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Try to learn some key phrases, buy some local garb, and make friends. But remember you don’t know the area as well as the locals. Don’t be afraid to be assertive when it comes to your safety.
  • Keep as many valuable in your carry-on baggage as possible. When packing your bags, remember your checked bags will most likely be searched. It is not uncommon for items to go missing after these checks. Keep as many valuables as you can with you when flying into or out of Kenya.

 

This entry was posted on November 7, 2012, in 2010, Africa.

Kenya and Uganda – Katie Fiorella (2010)

Katie Fiorella is a UC Berkeley PhD. student in environmental science and public policy and a Princeton University grad. Thanks to a $1500 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation, Katie worked in Uganda and Kenya, exploring the implications of human-wildlife interactions, specifically as they relate to the transmission of disease.

Here are Katie’s travel safety tips:

1. Medical – Visit a local pharmacy and doctor prior to leaving the island to obtain deworming medicines, treatment advice, and anti-malarials. These clinics will be infinitely more experienced with tropical diseases than even the best travel medicine specialists in the US and the medicines available in-country are generally the correct ones to fight local strains of parasites. Thus, the antimalarial drugs specific to your site will work best for you. You can develop malaria for several weeks after returning to the US, so it’s always a good idea to come home with anti-malarials, which can be tricky to get in the US.

2. Consider what activities you’ll be engaged in and what safety provisions will be available. For example, would you expect a life jacket to be provided on a 3 hour boat ride? Yes. It’s always possible to bring these things along, and/or to ask for them – sometimes they’re just sitting in the office. The power that talking about the need for safety precautions has can be very influential.

3. Emergency First Responder – Consider taking a course that helps you be prepared for first aid in remote locations. I plan to take this course before I head to a rural site in the future.

4. Emergency phone numbers – As soon as you land, enter key phone numbers in your cell phone, these include the embassy, someone with a car/boat depending on your location, the nearest clinic/doctor, and your medical insurance. Probably a good idea to carry around a list of these numbers as well.

5. First Aid Kit – Pack one sufficient for where you’ll be. This needs to consider both the stomach illnesses you may encounter and, critically, first aid.

This entry was posted on November 7, 2012, in 2010, Africa.

Kenya – Jeannie Schumpert Dias (2009)

Jeannie Schumpert Dias is a recent medical school graduate and an officer/physician in the US Army. Jeannie’s $1000 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation supported her work in Kenya during March when she provided medical attention and education primarily to impoverished women.

Here are Jeannie’s travel safety tips:

Never travel at night! The roads in most 3rd world countries are treacherous!

If you are traveling to another country alone, request to be placed with another student through the organization so that you are not traveling alone throughout the area.

Definitely try to learn the language before traveling to an area that doesn’t speak English. I ran into situations where I was in danger and couldn’t speak the language. I felt that the people who I was talking to understood me, but they acted like they didn’t to gain money from the situation.

Have a working phone! It doesn’t matter the cost, it is worth it and could save your life.

Place your valuables and your passport in your pockets at all times. Do not carry these things in your hands or they may be grabbed and stolen.

Speaking from a female’s standpoint, it is wise to always travel in pairs, NEVER alone. Also, do not get too comfortable in situations even when they seem routine. Keep your guard up and maintain an edge, it could save your life.

DO not take ‘NO’ for an answer when working with an organization and being placed with another student. This will change the whole experience. It is too scary and dangerous to travel alone when you are a target in an area. There is absolutely safety in numbers.

ALWAYS take your country’s embassy phone number, address, and emergency phone numbers with you when you travel internationally. You never know when you may need it! If you are in trouble, call your embassy first. If they cannot help you, they can at least guide you where to go for help.

This entry was posted on November 7, 2012, in 2007, Africa.

Ghana – Rachael Bonawitz (2006)

Rachael Bonawitz is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College. Rachael received a $1300 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation to support her work as a laboratory researcher in Kumasi, Ghana.

Here are Rachael’s travel safety tips:

– Try to arrive in daylight – the airport is not necessarily near downtown Accra and trying to charter a taxi/get transportation might be difficult unless you’ve made arrangements prior to your arrival

– If you will be in the country for a while, try and purchase a cell phone/buy a card for your own cell phone. Most systems (such as Areeba) are pay-as-you-go, so it’s not a huge financial commitment and it may be useful to have a means of communication.

– When traveling by taxi, set the fare before getting into the taxi.

– When eating out, clearly specify that you want drinks without ice, as ice is often not made with bottled/boiled water.

– Prior to leaving, make sure you have a travel health consultation- bring malaria prophylaxis, bring some antibiotics as prophylaxis if your physician will fill a script, and bring some over the counter medications (ibuprofen, immodium). In large cities you can find pharmacies where most medications can be dispensed (and it’s unclear to me what meds require a prescription in Ghana), but always better to come with some.

– Bring a mosquito net, even if you think where you will be staying will have one. Also bring some mosquito/insect repellent, and be conscious of what you’re wearing – long sleeves and long pants help keep bugs off.

West Africa – Kelly Dahl (2009)

Kelly Dahl is a registered dietician and graduate of Pepperdine University. Kelly spent a year working on Mercy Ships off of the coast of West Africa — a floating hospital that helps those who have no access to health care. Kelly received a scholarship of $1500 from Sara’s Wish Foundation.

Here are Kelly’s travel safety tips:

Being cautious about your surroundings is important. Common sense is essential. Make sure you only travel in groups when going out. Hide all valuables such as watches or jewelry, or better yet, leave them at home. You never know when someone could see that ring on your finger as an opportunity for their own advancement. Talk with the local embassies and find out what areas of town are safe and unsafe for travel. Avoid those not recommended. Avoid traveling at night if at all possible, and do not use unsafe modes of transportation, such as a motorcycle without a helmet, or a car without a seat belt. Don’t put yourself in situations that could lead to potential danger. As a female, don’t wear overly revealing clothes, as this could be an invitation to disaster. Know the culture in which you are traveling and what is expected of you. Most importantly, though, have common sense. If something doesn’t feel right or seems unsafe, it probably is.

Ghana – Maria Crossman (2011)

Maria Crossman is working on her masters degree in public administration at George Washington University. Maria traveled to Ghana during the summer of 2011 where she volunteered in an orphanage, teaching and mentoring the children in ways that support both their intellectual and social growth. Maria received a $2000 scholarship from Sara’s Wish Foundation.

Here are Maria’s travel safety tips:

  • Do research on the community you are traveling too and pay attention to cultural norms that are important to follow in an effort to not draw attention to yourself
  • Try not to travel after dark
  • Always keep your money in many different locations and bring more than one means to get extra money out of your account if necessary
  • Take time to understand your intuition and gut feelings.  I recommend reading the Gift of Fear to get a better grasp of this.
  • Take the contact information of family and friends while abroad and provide them with a way to get in touch with you if need be