Friday. March 20.1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Travel dangers threaten trips
Insurance protects cautious travelers
By Graham K. Johnson
gjohnson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Todd Kice, Wichita graduate student, did not think he would be victimized while on vacation, but he was.
"The first emotion I had was just rage," he said. "I felt so mad because I knew what was about to happen."
Kice was kidnapped and robbed in the middle of Mexico City. Last summer, during his trip, Kice was tricked into a fake cab, held captive and robbed by a team of muggers. Kice, who has traveled all over South America and Central America, said, like many tourists, he had mistakenly thought he was impervious to becoming a victim of travel-related crime.
tourists get into," Kice said. "It was a wake up call."
Kice said he realized travelers cannot be too careful and his mistakes could be a lesson for others. Probably his first mistake was getting into the cab alone at 1 a.m. after a night of drinking and darts. Kice said.
Soon, he found himself held down by two men, while a third man went through his wallet, Kice said. He said he soon discovered his second mistake.
"They went through my wallet and I had an ATM card," Kice said. "Ironically, that afternoon, my friend had told me to leave my credit card in the hotel in a safe deposit box."
The robbers asked for his PIN number. He gave them a false one because he was afraid if they had his number they would hold him captive longer, and he would not be able to close the account. But Kice, who has been mugged several times during his travels, said he does not recommend resisting in most cases of robbery.
worth getting shot or hurt for it," he said.
"Give them your money, it's not
Kice said he knew he had to get away, because he had been told most kidnapping victims were killed. He eventually escaped with minor bruises and a loss of $300. Kice said it was a violent but cheap lesson to learn about the importance of following guidelines that can help keep your belongings safe.
Dan Wise, manager of Council Travel, 622 W. 12th St., said students might want to come to Council Travel or the Student Union Activities Box Office and apply for an International Student Identification Card. The card makes available cheaper rates for hotels and transportation and also a minimal amount of insurance.
"It's a good idea to buy additional insurance especially if your health plan doesn't cover you outside of the country." Wise said.
Kice said planning for unexpected situations would help people respond in a cool-headed manner.
TIPS FOR SAFELY
TRAVELING ABROAD
Dress conservatively and try not to stand out.
http://travel.state.gov
Check government travel advisories at (202) 647-5225 or http://travel.state.gov
Learn phrases in the local language and important numbers, such as your hotel, the U.S. Embassy and emergency numbers.
you to sell things or help you.
Be wary of people approaching
Wear backpacks across your front, not on your back.
Do not travel alone at night and do not take shortcuts.
Make sure people at home are aware of your plans.
Source: United States Department of State through Travel Health Online
He said although he tried not to, he still thought about the robbery in Mexico.
"I just think about sitting between those two guys," Kice said. "It's still terrifying to me."
Students find alternatives to typical break
By Marcelo Vilela
mvilela@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Unlike many University of Kansas students, Juliana Moreira is not going to spend her spring break sleeping or drinking on the beach.
Moreira, Petrolina, Brazil, sophmore, will do volunteer work on beautification with Hispanic communities in El Paso, Texas. She will volunteer through the University's Alternative Spring Break program, and no drinking is allowed.
"Since I came to the U.S., I realized it's not the dreamland people think it is," Moreira said. "And doing this kind of work makes you feel useful. It fulfills you, and if everyone gives a little bit, it's worth it."
Alternative Spring Break, in its fourth year at the University, is organized by the Center of Community Outreach.
The Center spends $10,500 on the program, which includes food, travel, and lodging expenses.
About 50 students registered for the program this year. Last year, about 80 students volunteered. The Center will begin taking registrations for next year's Alternative Spring Break in October.
Once enrolled in the class, students learn the skills they will need in the community and what the expectations are of the people at the
To get involved, students have to register during the fall semester. They must also enroll in HDFL 606, Special Projects in the Community.
work sites.
This year, groups will go to Detroit; El Paso; Philadelphia; Cleveland; Harlem, N.Y.; Kirtland, Ariz.; and Washington. Most groups will leave for their sites early tomorrow.
Emily Heath, Oskaloosa junior and Center for Community Outreach co-director, said each trip focused on different social issues.
"No matter where you go, you're going to work hard — around 40 hours a week," Heath said.
Heath is going to Detroit, where she said the focus would be on violence and conflict resolution. Last year, Heath spent her Alternative Spring Break in Philadelphia, across the street from a crack house and surrounded by drug dealers.
"This program helps you learn a lot about yourself," Heath said. "I learned that what you see in the news is real, those things really happen."
Stacey Mann, Lawrence junior, took an Alternative Spring Break last year in Detroit. She worked educating urban youth and aiding public schools.
"It was the best experience of my life," Mann said. "It was eye-opening and life-changing. The kids I helped provided me with some wonderful lessons."
Heath said the program placed college students in environments they had not experienced.
"You can't change the world in a week," Heath said. "But you're definitely making an impact."
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