Traveling Abroad
I can remember back to when I was in high school when after graduation many graduates backpacked across Europe. I also remember that students were told to stay together and not get involved with the locals. and be aware of the laws of the country you're visiting. Back then you didn't hear about Americans going missing or ending up in jail for breaking the laws of the host country you're visiting.
Then in the last few years, you hear about a college student in France being arrested and convicted with her French boyfriend for the murder of her roommate while in college there, Natalie Holloway on her last night going off with 3 male strangers her last night of vacation in Aruba and disappearing.
And finally, about--Otto Warmbier, an American college student who had visited N. Korea more than once
On his last trip, he decided to take a propaganda poster off a wall. A crime in N. Korea. which got him convicted to hard labor. Then cried at his trial that he was sorry and wanted his government and family to have him extradited home
In every one of these cases, what happened to them could have been avoided if they had heeded those warnings. I feel sorry for the parents that they have to go through that, but not sorry for the victims who put themselves in the position to be arrested.
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Very true. There was an incident many years ago, where a young American was caught for vandalizing in Singapore, which is a big no-no. The punishment was a caning and of course, America was outraged, but this American just thought well, he won't do it again will he.
Americans feel entitled and they can do what they want and not suffer the consequences---especially when you see entertainers or rich powerful business owners commit crimes and not suffer the consequences.
they think they can do what they want in another country and their government will intervene and get them out---then the parents want to blame the government for not doing enough to get them off the charges
Yes, you have to be aware of the laws in a foreign country. I do feel badly for all the people you mentioned as I'm sure everyone else does as well
Seems a bit harsh....yes they definitely made wrong decisions but the consequences didn't match the crime.
different countries treat crimes differently than the US. In the US there are different degrees of crime---what he did would have been a misdemeanor in the US
The way we look at crime here and the way they look at a crime is different you should always look at the laws of the country you're visiting and abide by them
they don't treat vandalism of property the same as the US---North Korea is a communist country and they treat all criminals and criminal acts the same---with very harsh treatment
This is a very big mistake students make when they are in a foreign country. They all forget that the country they are visiting have laws and order from their own country. If you accidentally violated their law, they will be very harsh on you.
Did you hear that Otto Warmbier was recently released from a Korean prison camp brain dead? Tragedy, they beat him so badly to a pulp he is unlikely to ever recover.
this is the way they treat all their prisoners, he wasn't singled out for mistreatment---my point is that had he not have taken the poster and respected the laws of N. Korea he wouldn't have been held or sentenced to hard labor.
You respect the laws of the country you're visiting and know the consequences if you intend to do something wrong. It was not his first visit to N. Korea
just because you visit a foreign country doesn't mean you can get a slap on the wrist and sent home---he was treated the exact same way they treat all criminals in their country
True, if it wasn't his first visit he should have known, and was irresponsible. Probably will cost him his life. That's the problem with the younger generation, they think they are invincible.
The people who live in North Korea are trapped in hell. They would leave if they could, it is common knowledge here in the US that North Korea is a country we should stay out of.
I am saddened by the death of that young man, however....what was he thinking vacationing in a place where it's citizens are being regularly tortured and murdered?
If a country mistreats and abuses their own countrymen, they are certainly not going to treat an American very well, they do not think very highly of us. Very sad that he didn't take our governments warnings seriously. Americans were warned a while back to stay out of North Korea.
He did not have to die. But maybe his death is a lesson to other young Americans who think it's fun to visit hell.
that is exactly why I posted this blog here when you visit a communist country that mistreats its own people don't expect to be treated any differently
Wendy, all I can say is it was a combination of his own pure hubris and naivete. He possibly thought it would be a challenge he could survive. Even worse, perhaps he traveled on a dare or a bet from his friends.
Pity he had to pay the ultimate price, very unnecessary.
Hi Davida, I am of the opinion that respect in general is what is lacking in today's youth, it extends to the respect for other cultures and laws when away from home.
It is a pity that high moral standards and respect has not been handed down to our newer generation, at least not by some.
A thought provoking blog Davida, well done
All the best
Gary
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True Davida! Especially when you want to visit countries with a repressive government you should follow those advices.