Kate Goggin

This article distributed on May 7, 2010 from the Hearst Wire Service is reprinted with permission. (For use by New York Times wire service clients. 2010 Hearst Newspapers)

TOP 10 TIPS FOR SAFE OVERSEAS TRAVEL WITH KIDS

By KATE GOGGIN

WASHINGTON – George Mason High School teacher Kent Foster was lucky. He and his French class returned from Paris just days before a volcanic ash cloud disrupted international travel. “Nothing unexpected happened,” the Falls Church, Va., teacher said.

Foster’s smooth landing stands in stark contrast to the headache and heartache of missed planes, mounting hotel bills, and lack of cash that were reported by later travelers, including many groups traveling with students.

The mass strandings were painful reminders about the importance of a making a planning checklist before traveling abroad. Here are ten tips for safe overseas travel with children.

1. Review Health Insurance Policies, and Buy Travel and Medevac Insurance

According to the State Department website, most U.S.-based health insurance policies do not extend benefits overseas. Additionally, Medicaid and Medicare do not cover expenses incurred abroad. That means if a child falls ill or is injured abroad, the majority of expenses will be paid out of pocket, and those costs can skyrocket when the monetary unit is a foreign currency like the Euro. Also, most people are unaware of medical evacuation (medevac) insurance, according to a 2006 study by the U.S Travel Insurance Association.

Travel insurance will allow reimbursement for most missed flights, especially if the high-priced versions are purchased, which cover “Acts of God,” like the eruption of a volcano or a tsunami event. Medevac insurance covers medical treatment and hospitalization, as well as the option to be flown home if needed. A typical medical evacuation, without the insurance, can cost from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the country of origin.

2. Visit the Doctor at Least Six Weeks before Departure

Children are more likely to become ill or require hospitalization during international travel than adults. Yet a new study in the journal Pediatrics found that children are less likely to receive pre-travel medical advice.

“Parents should take kids for an exam at least six weeks before departure,” says Dr. Gordon Theisz, of Family Medicine in Falls Church. “Not only should required vaccinations be discussed, but also availability of medications for pre-existing conditions, and health conditions in the country to be visited.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site contains extensive health information for over 200 destinations. Additional tips from the State Department website include:  be sure to travel with prescriptions in the original container clearly marked; bring an extra pair of eyeglasses (and the prescription); and travelers going abroad with a preexisting medical problem should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs.

3. Research the Destination Country

Look beyond the sightseeing options to digest entry and exit requirements, the safety climate, road conditions and special circumstances, all found on the U.S. State Department website. In Egypt, for example, “the Embassy has received increasing reports over the last several months of foreigners being sexually groped in taxis and public places.” Additionally, it notes “unescorted women are vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.” Knowing this gender-specific warning beforehand is important to any young girl on a work-abroad or exchange trip.

Also, check the State Department’s travel warning list. Current countries listed include Mexico, the Philippines and Haiti. And it’s always good to get a second opinion. See what the Canadians and Brits say about a specific country on their travel-related websites and compare.

4. Keep Copies of Passport in Separate Location – Sign it and Fill in the Emergency Information

Petty crime is a worldwide problem and often preventable with the proper preparation. Linda Johnsen, another teacher at George Mason High, says a male student who did not heed warnings about keeping wallets in his back pocket, was promptly pick-pocketed while walking near their Chinese hotel. Others had wallets stolen from their backpacks in Toulouse, France.

Stolen wallets and pilfered backpacks are a good reason why experts say students should always carry a spare copy of their passport in a separate location. Better yet, keep another copy back in the U.S. with friends and family. When a passport is stolen, having the number will expedite procedures for a replacement at the Consulate.

It’s also a good idea to leave a copy of itineraries, identification documents, like a driver’s license and credit cards at home too.

5. Register Online with the U.S. Embassy in the Country You Will Visit.

Many Americans don’t register, according to State Department spokesman Ian Kelly. Registration works both ways. If a political protest or natural disaster is looming, the embassy can contact travelers via the registration data for evacuation and emergency notification, and if travelers need embassy services to assist with an ill or injured child, Embassy workers can help faster and communicate with loved ones at home when the traveler is already in the system.

Haiti was a tragic lesson for many student-travel organizers. The State Department did not know where to look for many American students, because their groups had not registered.

6. Assemble U.S. and Overseas Phone Numbers before you Travel

If tragedy strikes, know who to call, both in the destination country and at home. The State Department’s Country Specific Information sheet will include the local number for the U.S. embassy. Family members in the U.S. can call (202) 647-5225 in case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen.

7. Ensure at Least Two Alternate Forms of Communication and Financial Access

Some cell phones will work while traveling abroad. Check with the provider before departure to verify the international calling plan. Then make sure to purchase an international calling card for back-up. The same goes for credit cards and cash access. Traveler’s checks are still useful worldwide, but credit cards and debit cards are important contingency items.

Children should not carry large amounts of money and should be allowed to use an ATM for cash withdrawals, if needed. A new trend for parents is to open a joint bank account with the child before travel. Both account holders may be issued a debit card which works like a credit card, even in overseas locations. This set-up allows parents to track expenses online and provides the opportunity to add funds quickly in case of emergency.

8. Learn Basic Language Phrases and Think Globally but Act Locally for Safety Contacts

Saying “please” and “thank you” go a long way no matter where kids visit, but being able to ask for directions if lost, and communicating “help” to emergency workers really can make a difference.

The Peace Corps advises young travelers to learn basic phrases. They should know. Exchange students, work and study abroad, gap-year travelers and volunteer workers are better prepared for emergencies when they have integrated into the community. When cell phone lines are jammed and every road is blocked, local friends know the lay of the land and can help find medical assistance and transportation options faster.

9. Mental Health Matters – Know the Phases of Culture Shock

After spending time in another culture, it’s common for young travelers to (a) want to go home, (b) become critical of the culture or the reasons they are there in the first place, and (c) feel all the things they feel when they are stressed – fatigue, eating too much or too little, general crankiness.

“Know that it’s almost always a transitory phase – as they learn more about the culture – what they do and don’t like there – the edges wear down and they will find a way to feel comfortable again,” says Dr. Anne Copeland of the Interchange Institute.  “Help the children relieve stress by eating sensibly, getting enough sleep, exercising and getting information through a host national who can talk about the cultural differences they are seeing.”

10. Sign a Student Conduct Contract and Get Oriented

There is often an invincibility factor at play when traveling with students. Even the most well-behaved, quiet kid can sometimes loose all inhibition in a foreign environment without parents, and that results in risky behavior.

“Having a thorough orientation with students concerning what is expected from them, and getting detailed documents like a signed behavior contract, have helped ensure that although we always have unexpected situations, we can deal with them,” says teacher Linda Johnsen.  “One thing I have learned in my many years of traveling with students is that something will always go wrong, usually several things on any given trip, but that being prepared will help you deal with them, and not let that spoil the trip.”

(Kate Goggin is author of Backpack Kids: The Safety Planning Checklist for Overseas Travel and a writer who specializes in international family matters and women’s issues.)