Over the course of your study abroad program, you are going to be out and about in numerous European cities, which will be beyond exciting. No matter which destination you may be touring for the day, you want to be sure to stay extremely vigilant about keeping an eye on any belongings you may have on hand. With pickpocketing being a relatively prevalent practice throughout Europe, you should take the proper precautions, which are super simple, so that you can protect your possessions.
While Europe is safer than the streets of the U.S. in many respects, instances of petty theft can still occur. Generally speaking, skilled pickpockets tend to hang out by tourist attractions, where they can blend in with crowds and choose from a pool of people who have a great deal of gear on their person. In addition to the innate chaos that some sites may inspire, travelers who are not familiar with the area tend to be so caught up in either finding their way to the next destination or relishing in the novelty of their trip that they are too distracted to keep tabs on their items. For this reason, pickpockets may think that tourists are the perfect targets.
Outsmart pickpockets
With that said, you don't have to subject to pickpocketing as you're studying abroad, as long as you be smart and pay attention. Petty thieves are not looking for a hassle, and if you show that you are on the lookout, they will avoid you almost indefinitely and snatch lower hanging fruit by heading for people who won't even notice if they're being robbed. This means that you should always have your bag within sight, placing a hand on it at all times, Rick Steves recommended. Even if you are sitting down in a restaurant, café or bar, you should have your belongings in your lap or secured somewhere within your reach and line of vision. Anything from your camera to your passport could be up for grabs in the eyes of pickpockets, so keep constant track of these valuables.
If you're worried about pickpockets bumping you, catching you off guard and snagging your stuff that way, then you may want to invest in a money belt. Purchase one of these contraptions, put your money in its zippered pouch and tie it around your waist, placing it underneath your pants of skirt so that everything will be hidden – not to mention hard to get without you feeling someone giving you a pat-down. Both of these factors will serve as a deterrent for anyone looking to swipe your cash, leaving you with less of a worry than you would have had in the case that you had brought a bulky bag.
Additionally, you can cut down on concern by simply leaving anything of worth at home or back in the hotel room. Chances are that during your summer study abroad program, you're not going to miss wearing those diamond studs or gold watch that your parents gave you for your high school graduation several years back. Items like this can attract the attention of pickpockets, or they could easily be misplaced as you make your way from city to city. So why risk it? Eliminate this added stress and keep unnecessary valuables safe and sound at home.
Keep watch on the go
On top of this, you may exercise extra alertness when you are in specific areas throughout any city. For example, while tourist attractions and museums are prime locales for these kinds of incidences to occur, you will want to be cautious when using public transportation. As train stations, buses and subways are almost always crowded and bustling, they provide pickpockets with perfect opportunities to strike. However, if you stay aware of your belongings and surroundings, you can keep your stuff safe.