Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lines of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's comment when he declined
to specifically define obscenity in 1964, stating “I know it when I see it.”
Perhaps terrorism cannot be universally defined in a manner that satis-
fies the FBI or United Nations, but we all know it when we see it. Months
later, however, the FBI finally came around and said it was investigating
the case as a terrorist incident. The question is: Would that shooting have
been included in a statistical report about the incidence of terror attacks
within the United States or not? Perhaps not, and that certainly would call
into question the validity of the statistical analysis.
LOCAL CRIMINAL HISTORY
Let's go through the analysis for some of the countries listed above to show
how to research the country of destination for security concerns. These
items of importance should, at a minimum, include local criminal activ-
ity, terror cell activity, anti-American sentiment and/or demonstrations,
and the state of emergency medical care. In the year 2001, approximately
2,949 American students were studying in China. As you can see, this rep-
resents an increase of 30 percent from the previous year. If you are a stu-
dent contemplating an educational experience in China, it is essential that
you research the current situation before you finalize your decision. This
is what the State Department website says about the level of criminal activ-
ity in China:
Overall, China is a safe country, with a low but increasing crime rate. Pick-
pockets target tourists at sightseeing destinations, open-air markets and in stores,
often with the complicity of low-paid security guards. Violence against foreigners
occurs, but it is rare. The number of violent incidents against Americans is very
low on a worldwide basis (there were nine reported violent attacks on American
citizens between 1999 and 2001), but such incidents do occur. Robberies, some-
times at gunpoint, have occurred in western China, and there have been some
reports of robberies and assaults along remote mountain highways near China's
border with Nepal. Travelers are sometimes asked by locals to exchange money at
a preferential rate. It is illegal to exchange dollars for RMB (the local currency)
except at banks, hotels and official exchange offices. Due to the large volume of
counterfeit currency in China, unofficial exchanges usually result in travelers
losing their money and possibly left to face charges of breaking foreign exchange
laws.
2
