Logan Berseth
Self Defense HHP 1200
Fears and Apprehensions
As someone who enjoys traveling one reason for enrolling in this course was a fear of traveling alone in a foreign country. One of the most challenging aspects of traveling alone in a foreign country is the aspect of safety. While traveling alone you don’t have anyone to watch your back. You can’t leave your belongings or bags anywhere. If you do run into issues – you’re entirely on your own to figure them out. Also, due to being female, you may receive unwanted and unwarranted attention that males just do not receive. Although the focus of class is the physical aspect of self-defense I hope to never be in a situation where that is necessary. Instead I will focus on the mental portion…show more content… Information is available about security warnings, crime rates and political stability. The U.S. Department of State offers up-to-date travel alerts and information on most foreign countries. When traveling it is important to know the location of U.S. embassies and consulates at your destination. Consulates are handy in case you need to replace a stolen passport, contact family and friends, find legal aid or find medical care. The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends you register your travel with the Bureau. Registration is free and can be done online. Doing this allows the United States Government to know to locate you in case there is a state of emergency such as a terrorist attack or a natural…show more content… Find out what behavior, dress, etc., is acceptable for women in your destination country. Social gestures that may seem neutral in your culture may be interpreted in radically different ways in other societies. Find out what strategies that the local women use to keep safe and to stave off unwanted male advances, as well as what comes across as an invitation to romance. Understanding local culture will help you stay safe. It is also helpful to speak with people who have visited the country you will be traveling to, either in person or through message boards online, as they will be able to share their experiences and give you advice on how to stay safe. While traveling you should be culturally sensitive, but not to the detriment of your own safety. You want to be open-minded but not to the extent that you place yourself in danger. If you are feeling harassed or being made uncomfortable by another person, don't feel compelled to deal with the disturbance in a pleasant manner. Sometimes it is necessary to tell people directly and out right to keep them from harassing you. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing in neutral colors, as well as to attempt to dress like the local women. In some cultures, what you consider attractive casual clothing may be considered provocative or inappropriate, even offensive, which could spark
