An article from The Daily Caller listed the top ten most dangerous study-abroad locales and warnings against studying abroad in these places. The list included Alexandria, Egypt; Merida, Venezuela; Amman, Jordan; Kigali, Rwanda; Istanbul, Turkey; Yaounde, Cameroon; Bali, Indonesia; Mexico; Beirut, Lebanon; and Nairobi, Kenya.
“You — or your children — may be interested in risking the same fate in the name of tourism. Alternatively, you might want to learn about some places to avoid because you want to avoid the same fate,” the article read. Below are some short descriptions of these top ten dangerous study-abroad locales as reported by the Daily Caller article.
Alexandria, Egypt
Political clashes that have recently erupted in Alexandria have killed at least one and have left more than 80 wounded. American student Andrew Pochter was studying abroad in Alexandria when he was killed in a protest a few weeks ago (read his story here.) The State Department’s travel website says there are “threats to safety and security” in Alexandria and advised American citizens to stay away.
Merida, Venezuela
Kidnappings and armed robberies are common in this part of the world. The State Department’s travel site calls the local violent crime “pervasive” and states that “the country’s overall per capita murder rate is cited in the top five in the world,” the Daily Caller article reported.
Istanbul, Turkey
Political unrest between protesters and the government have injured and detained U.S. citizens caught in the middle. The State Department’s travel site reported that violence, injuries and at least two confirmed deaths have resulted from these protests all over the country.
Kigali, Rwanda
Grenade attacks towards the local population and small-bomb detonations are not uncommon in population centers. An active volcano is across the western border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The article reported that American embassy personnel can’t leave the Kigali city limits after 6 p.m. or hire certain taxis. See the State Department’s travel website here.
Amman, Jordan
The State Department’s travel page warns against the violent demonstrations, tribal violence, roadside bombs and occasional rockets. “Transnational and local terrorist groups have demonstrated the capability to plan and implement attacks,” it read. The article reported that tourists there should ”maintain a low profile” while being there.
Yaounde, Cameroon
The State Department’s travel page states that there has been civil unrest here recently. Crime is rampant throughout the country and U.S. embassy employees “aren’t allowed to take taxis anywhere.” The article stated that in 2011, over 20 Peace Corps volunteers were robbed at gunpoint in Kribi.
Bali, Indonesia
Car bombs have been prevalent here in the past few years. A violent Islamic group bombed nightclubs in 2002, killing and injuring many tourists and Indonesian citizens. “Be vigilant and prudent at all times,” the State Department travel site advises. Tsunamis are also possible.
Mexico
Street crime, rape, sexual assault and car and bus jackings are all common here. Murders, beatings, abductions, ATM-card skimming and other scams are also prevalent. See the State Department’s travel website here.
Beirut, Lebanon
This country is home to spontaneous violence. The Department of State travel site “urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon.” Boston University has suspended a program that used to allow students to enroll at the American University of Beirut.
Nairobi, Kenya
“Suicide operations, bomb and grenade attacks, kidnappings and the like are all commonplace,” the Department of State’s site reads. Crime is high in Nairobi, as armed assailants “roam all over.” Nairobi averages about ten vehicle hijackings per day.
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