One of the initial thrills of traveling abroad, whether it is for the first time or the hundredth time, is obtaining your first passport or pulling it out of storage. Just think of all the places your passport can take you. That is, if you safeguard and protect it.
According to the U.S. Department of State, “A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. Only the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassies and Consulates have the authority to grant, issue, and/or verify U.S. passports. A valid passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.” When traveling on an educational student tour, your passport is the single most important item you’ll carry throughout your trip.
I have put together some points to take into consideration on how to keep your passport safe during your student travels.
Back it up.
It’s a good idea to back up your passport before leaving home for your educational student tour. You can have taken all the necessary precautions to protect your passport, but let’s face it things happen that don’t always go our way. The fear that comes with losing a passport or having one stolen is terrifying. No one ever wants this to happen to them so be proactive! Stay tuned for my posts on what to do if this ever happens.
Cover it.
Before departing on your educational tour, consider buying a protective cover for your passport. Not only does it keep your passport from getting destroyed and in good condition, but it can be used to keep things low key so you’re not a target. In the case it does get ruined, better the cover than the actual document. Am I right?!
Mind it.
It’s extremely important to always know where your passport is. When at home, keep your passport in a secure, dry place. When out traveling, keep it hidden in a passport pouch, or some other place where it’s zipped up, hard to get to, and out of sight. Under NO circumstances should you put it in your back pocket, leave it out in the hotel room, or in an exposed part of your backpack. This just screams “Please steal me!” It’s amazing how often you will see people being so careless with their most prized possession.
Safeguarding your passport is part of the student tour experience. It teaches you to always be aware of your valuables and keep them safe. I hope these tips help you in keeping your passport safe on your educational tour. Keep a look out for my upcoming posts on applying for a passport, a more in-depth review of backing up your passport, and what to do if it’s lost or stolen.
Don’t let the thought of something bad happening to your passport ruin your tour. Simply be proactive and everything will be fine!
The world is waiting,
Kate