Personal Safety

Lyon has a reputation of being a reasonably safe city. For solo women, harassment is normally more annoying than dangerous, men tend to go away if they are ignored. Avoid responding to men's “Bonsoir” if you are not interested in knowing them. In Lyon, be careful of pickpockets inside Perrache at Pl. des Terreaux and in Pl. Bellecour.

You should take the same precautions regarding your personal safety as you would in any city. Remember that you are vulnerable when you are in a new situation or on new terrain. While you are encouraged to get to know the people and places of Lyon, you should always exercise concern for your personal safety. Use your common sense and best judgment about where you go and what you do, and ask the Resident Director and your host family for personal advice. The following are some general safety guidelines for anyone studying abroad:

Be alert

• Be wary of people who seem overly interested in you.
• Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.
• Learn which areas of town should be avoided.
• Be cautious about giving out your address or phone number
  to new acquaintances.

Be prepared for an emergency

• Have phone numbers of program contacts handy at all
  times.
• Know how to reach a doctor, a hospital or clinic, and the police.
• Have sufficient funds or a credit card on hand for emergencies.

Blend in

• Integrate yourself as full as possible in the university and local
  communities.

Stay informed

• Keep informed about what is going on around you and
  around the world. Listen to radio and television broadcasts
  and read the newspaper.
• Develop a political awareness

Stay in touch

• Maintain regular contact with home so that your family and others are assured of your safety.
• Maintain regular contact with your program director or host institution coordinator.
• When traveling, notify someone other than those traveling with you - especially your host contact or director - of your itinerary..

Avoid theft

• Keep valuable items in a safe place.
• Don't take non-essential items such as expensive or heirloom jewelry with you.
• Don't keep all of your documents and money in one bag or in one place on your person.
• Don't flash large amounts of money; carry and use small bills whenever possible.
• Use extra caution when traveling or going out alone.
• Do not leave your bags unattended (even briefly) in an airport, or bus or train station.

Be smart

• Consume alcohol in a responsible and culturally-appropriate fashion.
• Don't accept rides with friends or acquaintances who have had too much to drink.
• Don't use illegal drugs.
• Practice safe sex.
• This is still real life- always consider the consequences of your behavior.