River News Now Breaking News Travel

(NAPSI) - Each year, thousands of college students take a break from hitting the books and hit the road instead. According to a study by the Student & Youth Travel Association of North America, student travel was expected to increase from 10 percent to 14 percent in just one year alone--and with good reason.

Experts say traveling-whether abroad or within the U.S.-offers students a range of educational opportunities and a chance to build confidence and independence.

To help parents and students plan safer trips, ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents, has agents who specialize in student travel. You can find an area agent with the Find a Travel Agent search function on TravelSense.org. The site also offers safe-travel tips. For instance:

Think Local

Before students leave home, they should learn about the local laws and customs of the countries they are visiting, especially rules pertaining to drinking ages, drugs and curfews.

Stay Connected

Students should give their parents the phone and fax numbers of their hotel, the cell phone numbers of their chaperones and a full itinerary of their trip. If anything changes during the trip, students should e-mail their parents immediately with the new information.

Stay Modest

While traveling, students should not wear flashy accessories that attract attention. It is better to wear an old, inexpensive watch and leave the nice one at home. Bringing a digital camera or an iPod? Do not flaunt it. Students don't want to be obvious targets for thieves.

Take A Card

When arriving at the hotel, students should grab a card from the counter with the hotel's name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card with them at all times.

Respect Others

Be respectful when visiting churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, government buildings and military installations.

For more tips or to find a student travel agent, visit the Web site www.travelsense.org.

Happy Trails--Thousands of college students travel abroad each year.