Spring Break is approaching quickly.  Soon a number of the nation’s college students will be basking in the warm sunlight and frolicking in blue-green waters of the tropics. But before you pack your bikini and tuck your passport safely into your Longchamp, take a minute to think about safety. Like, really think about it. Between the daily violence in Mexico and the general safety issues that could arise by merely being away from home in a foreign country, it’s important that you take your safety seriously.

I know, I sound like a helicopter parent and you’re probably all, “Oh, that would never happen to me!” But girl, you aren’t invincible!

I can’t help but think about Natalee Holloway. She was a regular girl on a senior trip and just like us, heading off to Aruba for a vacation with her friends. And then tragedy struck. Contrary to what you’re convincing yourself, it could happen to any one of us, so now we must learn from her tragic incident and take some safety precautions to stay safe abroad.

There are many safety tips we learned in elementary school—don’t trust strangers, always travel in groups—that still hold true today. So let’s brush up on those rules to ensure a safe and memorable Spring Break trip.

“I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore!” You got it, Dorothy, you’re no longer in the good ole’ U.S. of A.  You don’t know a soul, besides your friends or your Spring Break group, and everyone (the cab driver, the guy selling knock-off purses on the corner, the bartender) seems like someone you can trust.  While there are many trustworthy people abroad, there are also many who prey on college Spring Breakers. And why not? Drunk, stumbling and toting expensive purses full of cash, we’re easy targets. Stay on your game, be aware of your surroundings and take precaution. This includes everything from zipping your bag when you carry it to not walking home alone.

Speaking of which…. Read More »

You’ve been killing yourself all semester to tackle mountains of coursework while finding time to hit the gym and develop the perfect bikini bod to show off in Cancun, the Dominican Republic, Miami Beach…or wherever Spring Break 2009 finds you. When the day finally arrives, you’re ready to leave all of your woes behind. In a tropical hotspot hundreds of miles away from your RA, your professors, and your “Good Girl” reputation, you’re ready to let loose.

But be careful, ladies, because there’s still plenty of ways that your spring break behavior can come back to haunt you. Read More »