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Is Europe really as scary as they say?
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 19:38
New Member
This summer I will be studying abroad in Paris with a group from my school. The program is only five weeks, but being the independent woman I am, I convinced my parents to let me travel before and after the program. (Also, I am from the USA)
I didn’t think too much of it until I ran it by a friend. When she heard the word “solo traveling,” she looked at me and told me “bad idea” and “you shouldn’t travel Europe alone.” It was hurtful and seemed almost like an attack. However, she wasn’t the only person I’ve talked to that reacted that way. And while, there have been people telling me that solo travel is fine as long as you are smart and aware, I still can’t think maybe it’s a bad idea.
Is it just a common misconception that Europe is a place full of sex trafficking and killings and kidnappings?
I think it sounds a little ridiculous and stereotypical. But, then again, I’ve never been to Europe. Since I will be traveling alone and I am a college student, what should I do to ensure safe travels and enjoy my time in Europe? I don’t want to be freaking out and being paranoid to the extent that I don’t enjoy my time.
Advice?
Thanks! 
There are so many misconceptions in your post that I don’t even know where to start.
You are probably far safer in Europe than you on you college campus. Rapes, muggings and “crimes against persons” are far less likely in Europe. Pickpockets and purse snatchers are a problem anywhere there are tourists, so you do need to be careful of your valuables and you do need to use a little common sense in avoiding problem situations. You wouldn’t get drunk with a bunch of strangers at home. Don’t do it in Europe, either.
Sex trafficking exists everywhere. The victims are usually from third world countries or situations of hopeless property and are lured to wealthier countries by promises of jobs. The victims are not tourists who get snatched off the street in American or European cities.
I don’t know where your “friends” gets their information. A friend should be encouraging you to strike out and experience new things, not trying to scare you into avoiding new situations.
The misconceptions are really unfortunate and sadly common. I had a colleague tell me yesterday that she told her 21 year old daughter she could only study abroad in Australia or New Zealand because European countries aren’t safe. Even worse, this came from a college professor whose husband is a cop (and here’s the particularly annoying part) in a city with way more violent crime than you’ll find in any major European city.
As you can see,the United States is a MUCH more dangerous place than any Western European country.
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I agree that it is a sad misconception and its too bad you friend and others have chosen to portry Europe in such a way. Firstly “Europe” is made up of many unique countries and just like anywhere else they can have their problems. Secondly there will be areas in ALL european countries that can be dangerous, just like at home. You need to be a smart traveler and trust your gut instinct as well as your common sense. I am a young independent women who has traveled to europe and been on her own and I have found it to be incredibly safe and fascinating. But be cautious. Just like oldlady said don’t go with the group of guys you meet at the bottom of the Eiffel tower who are promising to bring you to a really great party (personal experience, I didn’t go). If you wouldn’t do it at home don’t do it in europe. Have new experiences and have fun but don’t falsely believe that europe is universally safe or unsafe. New situations always cause apprehension but have a great time and then you can come back and enlighten all your friends as to how much safe good fun you had!
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Is it just a common misconception that Europe is a place full of sex trafficking and killings and kidnappings?
I can’t say that these are common misconceptions, because no one in my circle of acquaintances thinks of sex trafficking and “killings” when they hear “Europe”. So it’s either just where you [and augustin] live, or the people that you know.
Most people I know here in Chicago have a romanticized, if naive and a bit patronizing view of Europe (that Europeans don’t have video games, they live a “simple life”, etc, except for London and Paris which are “glamorous”). But I haven’t heard anything like the above.
But I have heard my share of dumbass things. A coworker of my sister’s canceled a trip to Greece in 2003, because “on a map, Iraq looks close”, and she was afraid the war in Iraq would spread to Greece. I tried explaining that this would be like a European tourist canceling a trip to New York or Florida because of the civil war in Guatemala or the drugs/FARC conflicts in Colombia. It’s completely non-sensical, but it fell on deaf ears. People will believe what they want to believe, and even when they are surrounded with contradictory evidence, they will look hard for the one obscure thing that reinforces their preconveived conclusion.
Experienced travelers do this too. They may not have any negative perceptions about visiting beaten-path places like Europe, but they think they know all about a particular culture before they arrive in that country, and when they go there, they draw their own conclusions based on selective observations. Such dumb conclusions have been voiced here on Eurotrip by seasoned travelers unfamiliar with a certain country or region in Europe. So, seasoned travelers are not immune from this.
Oh lord, I hope no one’s stupid enough to do that.
beach-lunch-siesta-beach-shower-dinner-nightlife-repeat
What? Who told you that Europe is “scary”?? Americans are insane. You’re much safer in Europe than you probably are in the US. I’m a single girl and I’ve traveled all over Europe. and Paris? please. You’re fine. The rate for like ALL crimes are lower in Europe than in the US – one of the most crime-ridden countries of the ‘modern’ world.
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Good point, Don…
Reykjavik, London, Lille, Berlin, Kraków, Lviv, Istanbul, Selçuk, Pamukkale, Kızkalesi, Göreme, Kars, Bat'umi, Akhalts'ikhe, Tbilisi, Telavi, Istanbul
Eurotrip Managing Editor