Got my study abroad booklet...some gems

[Bookcat]

Sex
Although sex is not necessarily planned, safe sex should be. So men, pack your condoms. Women, do you know what kinds of contraceptives are available where you are going? Have you considered purchasing emergency contraception at Lafene to take along with you? Understand that this is not a joking matter: even one apparently insignificant episode could affect and possibly shorten the rest of your life.

Wow. Didn't know this was a high school program.

Drugs
Using illegal drugs in a foreign country is a very bad idea. If you get caught with them, you could be thrown into a jail unlike anything you have ever imagined. The fact that you are American may not make a difference at all, or it could even make it worse! Don’t put yourself at risk. Again, if you have a preexisting drug problem please talk to your doctor before leaving about how to remain safe and drug-free while abroad.

Yeah. They really crack down over there. Depends where you are going of course...and if you flail it around.

Anti-Americanism
Much more likely than terrorism or massive political change is the possibility of a student being exposed to anti-American sentiment. At the beginning of the Iraq war and during the 2004 election, students experienced increased levels of anti-Americanism. The best approach in dealing with anti-Americanism is simply to ignore it. Try not to up-hold American stereotypes and try to be a good ambassador for the United States. If you feel the need to respond, it might work best to differentiate America, Americans, and you as an individual. Also remember that this person is expressing an individual opinion, and does not represent the views of every person in that city, country, or region. 

Don't have to worry about this as much...and,

from Rick Steve's website:

If you wear an Obama shirt you could expect a free drink from the locals.

awesome

[Thin Blue Line]

Just tell them you're Canadian.

[cireksu]

sounds dangerous.

 

[hemmy]

 

Where do you plan on going

[CrushNasty]

Not going anymore Book! 

[jeffy]

Haven't you seen the movie "Taken?"

You should be 

[BigCat]

Drugs
Using illegal drugs in a foreign country is a very bad idea. If you get caught with them, you could be thrown into a jail unlike anything you have ever imagined. The fact that you are American may not make a difference at all, or it could even make it worse! Don’t put yourself at risk. Again, if you have a preexisting drug problem please talk to your doctor before leaving about how to remain safe and drug-free while abroad.

that way you can hit it hard when you come back

[Bookcat]

Where do you plan on going

Venice, Italy

Asolo, Italy

then maybe Milan.

Check this out..

In a different area, there are different social
rules for women’s behavior. Be careful not to
send signals you don’t mean to send!  In the
United States, acting friendly towards a man
is frequently a part of common courtesy, but
may be misinterpreted abroad. Be aware of
the fact that in many countries, American
women have the reputation of being “loose”
or “easy."

[RonLongshaft]

 

[yoga-lika_abana]

always thought bookcat was like in his 40's or 50's btw he posts.

[Thin Blue Line]

Bookcat at his high school graduation

[ksuno1stunner]

Just tell them you're Canadian.

word.  outside the us, everyone loves canadians!

[PCR]

Haven't you seen the movie "Taken?"

You should be 

Isn't that the movie where Liam Neeson suffers a family tragedy?  I love escapist drama.

Also, don't bother with the condoms.   

[FelixRex]

I was in Santiago, Chile during (and after) 9/11, and actually had a class of like 5th graders or something start chanting "Viva Obama Bin Laden" as I walked past their window one afternoon (wish I would have this booklet's tips on "not engaging", because I immediately came back hard with "Pinochet" smack about their parents being desaparecidos).

[yoga-lika_abana]

Just tell them you're Canadian.

word.  outside the us, everyone loves canadians!

'member at ahearn

[kougar24]

I would contribute to this thread, but rusty would make fun of me.

 

[steve dave]

I would contribute to this thread, but rusty would make fun of me.

 

That sucks kougz.  Considering the amount of foreign travel and apartment type threads we have here I feel for you.   

[kougar24]

I would contribute to this thread, but rusty would make fun of me.

 

That sucks kougz.  Considering the amount of foreign travel and apartment type threads we have here I feel for you.   

Heh, I fully own up to the "badass apartment" comment being lame/retarded. Immediately regretted that decision.

But I never fully understood the study abroad posting hatred. Seems perfectly natural to want to share experiences from living overseas.

   

[steve dave]

I would contribute to this thread, but rusty would make fun of me.

 

That sucks kougz.  Considering the amount of foreign travel and apartment type threads we have here I feel for you.   

Heh, I fully own up to the "badass apartment" comment being lame/retarded. Immediately regretted that decision.

But I never fully understood the study abroad posting hatred. Seems perfectly natural to want to share experiences from living overseas.

   

Don't know, never been (unless you count hawaii or mexico which I don't).