One of the best things about studying abroad is the opportunity to spend your lengthy spring break wandering Europe. Only a day into my two-week, three-country tour last spring, I met an American woman, Sarah, who was flying solo and had just been mugged. We were in Rome, where such things happen to tourists, but I realized that she had invited it upon herself.

Sarah had been walking alone at night with a large backpack that prevented her from sensing people behind her. She was also listening to her iPod, which was clipped visibly to her belt. A group of young boys caught up to her and positioned themselves strategically – two in front of her and two behind her. She had a bad feeling, but didn’t change course. Suddenly, one of the boys ran from behind and grabbed her iPod, while the other one knocked her down as he passed.

Sarah threw down her pack and chased after them. She caught one of the boys and slammed him against the wall by the throat, scaring the one with her iPod. He threw it at her and they all took off, leaving her unharmed. Sarah collected her things and returned to the hostel with a working iPod and extremely thankful for her luck.

While it may seem obvious not to be so inviting to a pickpocket as she was, one cannot afford to translate the comfort attained living in northwest D.C. (or suburban south Texas, in my case) to other parts of the world. You may ride the Metro with your iPod and not feel the need to pay attention to other passengers, but greater care is a necessary skill abroad.