Travel safety starts with careful reading of the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories before you leave the country. These are available on the Web at U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings Website. The Department of State’s Consular Information sheets are also available for every country of the world. They describe unusual entry, currency regulations or unusual health conditions, crime and security situations, political disturbances, areas of instability, special information about driving and road conditions and drug penalties. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates. In general, the sheets do not give advice. Instead, they describe conditions so travelers can make informed decisions about their trips.
Another important website that a traveler should visit before they leave the country is The Center for Global Education’s Study Abroad Safety Handbook found at: http://www.studentsabroad.com. This website provides country specific information about healthy and safety and gives advice about proper behavior and “fitting in.” In addition, this site has information sheets and important phrases that could help you in an emergency.
Remember that in other countries, actions can be interpreted differently than at home. For example, looking someone directly in the eyes or accepting a drink in a bar could mean something different than what you think it does. Obviously looking like a tourist in a train station, showing a lot of money when you pay for something, leaving an expensive camera out in the open—these kinds of things can attract negative attention. This is especially true for women. In many places women are not treated as equals to men, and there are different social rules for their behavior. Be careful not to send signals you don't mean to send!
You may also want to look at information provided by your host country. Some useful information is found at:
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - http://www.dfat.gov.au/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau - http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp
United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office - http://www.fco.gov.uk/
When you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country where you are. Therefore, before you go, try to learn as much as you can about the laws and customs of your host country. Good resources are your library, embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries, including drug and firearm possession. Be aware of what is considered criminal in the country where you are!