The last thing anyone wants to think about is something bad happening while on vacation, but the reality is, it can happen.
Being fully prepared is a must, which is why I recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program through the U.S. State Department.
Qingdao, Shandong, China
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate that can help you in case of an emergency. Whether it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, terrorist attack or family emergency, the U.S. Embassy can help you. In the event something bad does happen, The U.S. embassy in your host country can much better assist you if you have pre-enrolled in the STEP program. They will already have information pertaining to you and your trip, as well as ways to contact you. They can send you emails with specific instructions on where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency. They will also help your family get in touch with you and make sure that you are taken care of.
The STEP Program will also notify you of any relevant information or concerns pertaining to your trip before you even take off. Frequent travelers can create an account to stay informed, stay safe, and stay connected while traveling. Even if you’re staying at home, the program will provide travel alerts and warnings domestically as well.
This service is free, it’s easy to enroll, and it’s smart. Don’t find yourself stranded in the event of an emergency! Click here to enroll.
Watch this video for a how-to guide. For more travel and safety tips, view the posts below!
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Author: Julia Ballard
Julia was the first member of the Astrid Solo Travel Advisor team, and has helped shape our unique approach to travel writing which focuses on affordable, luxury ideas for the solo traveler. She is on top of all the cutting-edge in everything from technology to travel, and works to share her insights with our audience. To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
With all of the information surrounding the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019, you might be wondering whether you should cancel your travel plans, postpone them, or build a bunker instead. We’re being bombarded by news of COVID-19 on all media platforms. And here we are as well, writing about it. But the point of this post is to pose the questions, “How concerned should we really be?” and “How could this affect your travel plans?”