Fall 2007
Erica Latorra
Jamie Malachowski
Safety First!
Coming from a small
Pennsylvania borough to a city with a population of roughly 7.5 million
people can be quite an adjustment. The unfamiliarity of people and places
can be one of the larger obstacles students initially face in their move
to London from Selinsgrove.
A swipe
card to get into the dorm hall is now replaced by a set of keys to unlock
the front gate and flat door. A borough police force is instead a group
of trained metropolitan police that are stationed throughout the
city. Everyday surroundings are full of interactions with unfamiliar
persons rather than common acquaintances and peers. And the many modes of
transportation (Underground, taxi, bus, walking, etc.) make for a more
unanticipated daily routine than a direct route around campus. Crossing
the street is now something not to be taken lightly since cars come from
the opposite direction than in the U.S.
While taking necessary
safety measures regarding a new location, students should also adjust
their personal safety. When enjoying a night out in the city, it is
important to look out for your friends as well as yourself. When meeting
new people, you must remember to be cautious and intelligent when
revealing personal information. This is due to the level of trust not
being the same as with someone that you are acquainted with everyday in
the Susquehanna University campus environment. Students should be very
hesitant to provide information such as one's full name, phone number,
town, school name, or tube stop. The interaction with others is one of the
more important, harder necessary adjustments coming from the small town
atmosphere of Selinsgrove.
While the scale of
potential crime and obviously the population have increased from on-campus
to London, so has the level of measures taken to ensure safety, such as
CCTV cameras which are on constant watch over the city. People in London
are consistently reminded of the pickpockets in crowded areas. This is
one of the first lessons students are educated about since it is such a
common occurrence. Students are advised to carry wallets in the front
pocket of their jeans instead of the back and women are advised to carry
only bags with zippers and to have the zipper always in front of them. It
is a great idea to always have your cell phone and for it to be Topped Up
(to have minutes on it) for emergency situations. Walking in well lit and
populated areas is always a better idea than walking down side streets,
especially late at night.
We have felt safe
throughout our stay in London. Always making sure we know where we are
traveling to and what to do in emergency situations contributed. Never
venturing out alone and utilizing the buddy system at all times are other
great pointers. It is very easy to be safe and have fun at the same time
in London!
5 Safety Tips:
1. Be aware of your surroundings (i.e. pick pockets, crossing the street, etc.).
2. There is safety in numbers - be careful when venturing off on your own.
3. Remember you are visiting a foreign country; be mindful of and respect others.
4. Always have a line of communication with others (i.e. cell phone)
5. Enjoy your experience but remember to be smart!
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