Spring break is 7 days of absolute ridiculousness. Honestly. For anyone that’s ever been away for SB, you know this. I know this very well. How, you ask? Well I’m a serial-spring-breaker. Yup, my normally stickler parents sent me to Cancun twice, Florida once and while abroad my junior year, I bounced from Prague to Barcelona then back to London. Thankfully, returning safe and sound each & every time.

I consider myself very fortunate to have experiences under safely under my belt but not everyone is as lucky. Not trying to scare you but being abroad is a whole new ballgame. While you’re (obviously) going to party, dance on some bars and do things you hope your parents never find out about, you also need to pay attention to your surroundings, for real. If you don’t believe me, listen to this.

These incidents happened to the very people I was with. Yes, standing right next to them while all this went down. The first night out my friend’s camera got snatched right from under her arm. I can’t tell you how many cameras were stolen from friends while I studied abroad. Literally, it was more common to have your camera stolen than to return back to the states with the one you came with.

Another story that’s much worse: while switching trains in Germany a bunch of us girls went to use the facilities. Everyone was in a stall so I was the only one to witness this. Out of nowhere, this guy comes flying out of the first stall while fidgeting with his jacket. I didn’t know what was happening and didn’t think much of it cuz when your overseas, lots of strange things happen so you almost become accustomed to it. Anywho, a few seconds later my friend starts asking where her purse is. -- It all comes together--. I immediately run out of the bathroom to find the man but he was long gone by then. My friend ended up having not only her purse stolen but her PASSPORT, iPod, wallet and everything in it and a few other things, all stolen. If you’ve ever traveled outside of the US you know that you need a passport to get anywhere. My friend was, basically at that point, trapped in Germany with no way out. Thank god one of the guys thought to go to the embassy. Lucky for her, after spending the night in Germany and pleading with the embassy, she was on the next train back to London.

Like I said before, not everyone is as lucky. Ever seen Brokedown Palace or Hostel? Those are extreme examples but regardless, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So watch your back…. and purse….. and wallet and id’s andddd…….

Safe travels my friends,

Ash