Safety and Security Issues

A little common sense goes a long way. In general Spain has a low rate of violent crime. Córdoba is usually a very safe city, but it is a city nonetheless. As in any city, you need to be cautious, especially as a foreigner. Stay alert. Remember that alcohol reduces your capacity to make good decisions. Travelers using public transportation, or wandering about alone or in crowded areas should be especially alert to the potential for pickpocketing.

General tips for personal safety:

• Do not hitchhike

• Do not accept rides from strangers

• Watch out for people on motorbikes

• Exercise with a friend (especially at dusk or after dark)

• Do not go out alone late at night

• Do not resist if you are the intended victim of a mugger or pickpocketer.

RECOMMENDATIONS DURING YOUR TIME IN CORDOBA

 Even though Cordoba feels like a relatively small, and safe, place, it is still a large city and in an unknown culture, so everyone needs to be especially attentive to their surroundings. While you needn´t walk in fear, you should maintain a sense of alertness while you are on the streets—especially at night, but even during the day if you are in crowded places, or in places where there are very few other people.

Do not walk the streets alone at night; the more people you have with you, the better, especially if they are Spaniards.

If you´re going out, and live alone with a familia, try to make arrangements to go with another person (Preshquit@ or other friend) who lives nearby, so you won't have to go home alone.

This is another good reason to get to know your compañeros de conversación: they can introduce you to their social circles.

Always carry emergency numbers with you

• Police, fire, ambulance (equivalent of US 911): 112 or 091. This number should be on your phone—ideally as a speed dial

• Program all of the staff´s cell numbers in your phone. More information will be given in the orientation as to how to manage emergencies.

•  A good approach: do not carry anything with you that you are not willing to lose. 

• Carry only as much cash as you think you´ll need

• Do not carry your passport, or credit cards, or ATM cards (unless you will need them while you are out)

• You might want to carry “mugger money,” a small amount of cash, kept in an easily-accessible place, that you can “give up” to a mugger in case you are attacked.