Staying safe and well

Whatever your plans abroad, prioritise your personal safety and your physical and mental health.

In your time at Edinburgh, you will have learned to take steps to ensure your safety, health and wellbeing. Remember to take the same precautions whilst abroad as you would in any new city, especially while you are getting familiar with your new destination. 

Personal safety

Things like pick pocketing, protests and demonstrations, or even terrorism are a possibility wherever you go. Understanding the political and cultural landscape in your host country, and knowing what steps to take to minimise any risks will help your time abroad be as safe as possible.​​​​​​

The following guidance and practical tips should help ensure you're as well prepared as you can be.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has lots of information and advice to help you prepare and while you're abroad:

Travel Aware

Country-specific travel advice 

Foreign travel checklist

Additional resources: 

Women travelling abroad

LGBT+ foreign travel advice

Disability and travel abroad

As well as all of the websites above, we recommend following the FCDO on social media to get up-to-date travel advice on your feed:

FCDO travel on Facebook

FCDO travel advice on X 

FCDO Travel Aware on Instagram 


Students say they feel the most vulnerable right after landing in their host country. Having just stepped off the plane, you may feel disorientated, tired, jet-lagged, and excited. The combination of all of these factors can leave you less sensitive to potential risks than you might normally be. 

Some top tips to stay safe are:

  • Arrange transportation directly to your accommodation from the airport in advance. Ask your host institution if they can recommend a private transport service. Some hosts even offer a welcome service for exchange students.
  • If visiting a higher risk country, you may want to agree a secret phrase or password with the person who will be meeting you so that you can check it is really them.
  • Be careful when using your smartphone - you'll be eager to let everyone at home know you’ve arrived safely, but remember you'll be laden down with your bags and could make a tempting target.
  • Stay in regular contact with friends and family and make sure they know your schedule and any travel plans. 

  • Take care of your valuables. When you go out, only take what you really need, and avoid drawing attention to your belongings. Use a bag that zips closed, as opposed to an open-mouthed style pouch.
  • Maintain a low-profile. Avoid engaging in overly boisterous or belligerent conversation, especially in a non-local language.
  • If a situation makes you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from that situation as quickly as possible.
  • When going out at night, avoid travelling alone if you can (at least when you first arrive). Stick to well-lit areas and walk with confidence and a sense of purpose, even if you’re lost.
  • Don’t plan to arrive at an unfamiliar place at night or alone.
  • Try to maintain an awareness of your surroundings to avoid being caught by surprise.

Depending on where you are staying, it may be a good idea to consider the following additional precautions:

  • Adjusting how you dress to match local customs
  • Refraining from wearing flashy jewellery
  • Calling for a taxi in lieu of hailing one off the street

  • Before travelling, scan and make photocopies of important documents (including your visa and passport), so you can access the information if they are lost or stolen.
  • On a day-to-day basis, use a different form of photo ID (e.g. driving licence) to keep your passport as safe as possible.
  • If your passport is lost or stolen, contact the police immediately to report it, followed by your embassy/consulate to arrange a replacement.

  • Let your parents/next of kin know your travel plans, and keep in touch with them on a regular basis.
  • Maintain regular contact with your School Exchange Coordinator and Student Adviser.
  • Keep a list of important contacts, both as a hard copy and electronically. For example:
    • Who to contact to report your bank cards as lost or stolen
    • the embassy/consulate of your home country
    • local emergency services
    • travel insurance contacts

  • Make sure that both the University of Edinburgh and your host institution have an up-to-date email address and phone number for you.

    Check your University e-mail account regularly - you will receive important information to this address.

    Remember your email account is subject to Multi-Factor Authentication so you need to take your authentication method with you or install an authenticator app on the device you intend to use while you are away.

    Find out more about Multi-Factor Authentication


Your local British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission abroad will be able to offer a range of services including issuing replacement passports; assistance if you are the victim of a crime; and liaison with family and friends on your behalf.

You are strongly advised to locate the nearest British Consulate to your host destination and store the telephone number and address. Most British Consulates operate an answerphone service outside working hours with an emergency number if needed.

Students who are not UK nationals are advised to locate their nearest consular representation and follow the same guidelines.

Find a British Consulate


Healthcare abroad

Remember that hospitals, doctors surgeries and the healthcare system in general in your host country are likely to work differently from in the UK. 

It's a good idea to do a bit of research before you go, to make sure you're as prepared as possible.  You can find out more via the websites and information below:

NHS Travel health and vaccinations

GOV.UK European country healthcare guides

National Travel Health Network and Centre

If you need immunisations for your host country you will usually need them at least 6 weeks in advance of your departure. Many international institutions will require you to get immunisations before arriving and registering. 

Be aware that your travel insurance may be invalid if you have not taken the appropriate immunisations before you travel.

You can check if you need immunisations on the NHS Travel and health vaccinations website and contact your travel health clinic or GP to arrange an appointment. 

If you plan on doing any travelling whilst on exchange, you should also check if you need immunisations for any other countries you want to visit. Some countries require that you have vaccination certificates with you when you enter or depart.

NHS Travel health and vaccinations


If you take regular medication and need to take it abroad with you, make sure you take the following steps:

  • Check that you are legally allowed to take your medication into your host country (the embassy/consulate website is a good starting point for this).
  • Take an adequate supply with you (provided your medication is not perishable).
  • Get a letter from your doctor explaining what your medication is and why you need it, in case you get stopped at immigration or customs.
  • Get translated copies of any important health documentation you might need.

You should register with a doctor when you arrive in-country – don’t wait until you’re ill! 

  • Check if your host institution has an on-campus/affiliated medical centre
  • Find out what mental health support services are offered by your host university, and how to access them
  • You may be able to claim for doctor/hospital appointments through your UoE insurance 

Look after your wellbeing

Moving and living abroad is a huge step and can be a stressful and anxious time. It's important to be aware of the impact that cultural and lifestyle differences can have on your mental and physical health.

We recommend doing some research on the support available at your host institution and how to access it, before you arrive. You can also continue to access support at the University of Edinburgh while abroad.

You can find information on a range of health and well-being resources offered across the University:

Student Wellbeing Service

How we support you

Support in a crisis

Remember you can still access University of Edinburgh support while you are abroad, including:

The Advice Place 

Nightline 

Chaplaincy Listening Service

The Student Counselling Service offers email counselling for students who are not in Edinburgh:

Student Counselling Service 


You can access online mental health support via Togetherall:

Visit Togetherall

You can find helplines and crisis numbers to call at home and abroad via TherapyRoute:

Visit TherapyRoute

More services and support are now available virtually. If you receive therapy or counselling here in the UK it can be worth checking whether you can continue appointments virtually whilst abroad. 

You can also find a range of free mental health support services which offer email, text and web chat support which you may be able to access abroad:

Samaritans 

Shout

CALM


See also:

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