Too many scams to guard against in independent travel
Keke (a pseudonym), a Chinese international student at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, traveled independently to 13 countries including Germany. At Madrid Railway Station, she encountered a "kind-hearted" person who offered to help carry her luggage. Before leaving, the "kind-hearted" person hugged her and danced with her. But shortly after parting ways, Keke realized her phone was missing. "Later, after spending more time in Europe, I learned that that kind of 'salsa dance' is a common trick used by thieves—pretending to dance to immobilize your limbs and stealing your belongings in the process. At the time, I even thanked him and called him a 'saint.' When I later realized he was a thief, I was furious but helpless."
Qian Hongyu, who traveled across Europe independently while on an exchange program in Spain, also mentioned similar phenomena, which she referred to as "weird pick-up artists." These people might enthusiastically offer to show you the way or invite you to dance. Such "pick-up artists" are basically thieves using tricks to lower your guard and then steal from you.
In addition to "weird pick-up artists," she also accidentally walked into a shady seafood restaurant. According to her description, these restaurants often hire good-looking, smooth-talking waiters who enthusiastically lure tourists inside, getting them to order without properly checking the menu. "At the time, I thought it was just local custom, but when the bill came, I was shocked... It turned out that the huge number on the menu was actually the price per jin (500g), written in tiny font. I just had to take the hit silently."
She also mentioned a common type of square-based scam in Europe. In crowded squares, scammers may offer you food to feed pigeons—if you happily take part, well, too bad, you've been scammed, because soon they’ll demand money from you, and not a small amount.
Xiao Yi (a pseudonym), a student at University College Dublin, experienced this during her independent travel in Europe. In the square, someone induced her to pet a little rabbit, and while she was still enjoying the interaction, the person asked her for money. Xiao Yi said she wanted to scream inside: Oh my god, it’s really just like the rumors say!
Stay cautious and take timely remedial measures
These international students, who favor independent travel, said that as long as you do your homework and stay alert, the chances of being scammed or robbed aren’t high. Besides advising “never trust strangers,” “don’t flaunt wealth,” and “travel with companions,” they also shared some specific personal precautions.
Keke said that Europeans generally keep a certain distance from each other, so if someone insists on getting too close, they likely have ill intentions. Qian Hongyu recommended checking the “anti-theft tips” section in travel guides before departure, where common scams in each country are listed. She also strongly recommended the website TripAdvisor (the world’s largest travel community and review site), calling it a “magic tool.”
“At a shady restaurant in Venice, we refused to pay the full bill on the grounds of being scammed, and the dishonest owner threatened to call the police. Fortunately, we quickly checked reviews of the restaurant on TripAdvisor and found many similar cases. The place was already on the local police’s blacklist—the owner was just trying to scare us. So we argued our case and eventually got a partial discount.”
Chen Xinyi, a student at the California Institute of the Arts who spent half a year traveling across the western U.S., used the U.S. as an example and suggested researching areas with high homeless populations to avoid before traveling. She added that it’s wise to always carry around $50 in cash in case of robbery—to save your life—and also recommended carrying pepper spray for self-defense.
If a theft or robbery does occur, you can also take a series of remedial measures promptly to minimize losses.
Chen Xinyi suggested that in the U.S., if you lose your bank card, report it immediately—the bank will usually cover losses incurred within one to two days. Since items like driver's licenses and passports need to be reported and reissued at specific locations, international students should keep copies of all documents for easy identity verification and replacement in case of emergencies.
If your belongings are stolen at the airport, thieves might take valuables from your bag and casually discard your documents on airport seats or in trash bins. If this happens, you could follow Chen Xinyi’s approach—check the San Francisco International Airport’s official website for the lost and found office’s contact information, then send an email explaining what happened, describing the lost items, and waiting for a response.
Well-prepared guides mean fewer worries during independent travel
Although independent travel during study abroad can sometimes lead to unpleasant experiences, the interviewees still found it very worthwhile.
Chu Chu (a pseudonym), an exchange student at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, had invaluable and unforgettable experiences during her independent travel, such as cycling, road-tripping, sailing, kayaking in the straits, and couchsurfing. "In Europe, especially, there are many discounts and conveniences for student travelers, like how you can visit nearly all of Paris’s museums for free," she said. "Experiencing different places and cultures in your youth—in your own way—brings so much fulfillment and unforgettable memories."
Chen Xinyi believes that traveling during study abroad is a very fitting thing to do. "First, American college students have long breaks, and with good time management, you can have a great time without affecting your studies. Second, being in the U.S. is already an advantage—you don’t have to fly for hours, and you’re not limited by language barriers that would restrict you to following tour guides. Third, since my major is architecture, my goal is to travel from east to west across various famous U.S. cities during my undergraduate years to build up professional knowledge."
To ensure an enjoyable independent travel experience, solid preparation is essential.
Asking friends who’ve been there is a great approach. Additionally, the interviewees frequently mentioned websites like Mafengwo, TripAdvisor, and Michelin guides that compile travel advice and itineraries. Students planning to travel independently during their studies can refer to posts on these sites before departure. For deeper exploration, they suggest reading Lonely Planet magazines or watching documentaries about the destination.
College students can register on StudentUniverse (a student travel service website) using their school email addresses, as the site often offers discounted prices for students. Also, remember to check the airline’s or bus company’s official website for baggage policies after booking tickets. If you’re unsure where to find good food, visit Yelp (a popular U.S. business review website).