Overseas internships are cause for excitement -- and caution

Summer officially begins in less than two weeks, but the summer semester has begun at many schools and students are preparing for internships overseas. It is truly a dream come true to have an internship lined up in an exotic locale such as Paris, Jerusalem, Amsterdam or Moscow. Travel does indeed broaden the mind as well as one's character; exposure to different languages, cuisine, and social customs are priceless experiences.

But in the post-9/11 world, overseas travel has taken on an irreversibly different tone. From being aware of airport security protocol to keeping abreast of current world events, it is every traveler's responsibility keep his or her eyes wide open and behave accordingly. And I'm not just referring to possible political strife or terrorist activity. According to the U.S. Department of State, over 2,500 U.S. citizens are arrested abroad annually, and about 50% of those are on narcotic charges. Perhaps surprisingly, the most common cause of death of U.S. citizens overseas -- besides natural causes -- is traffic accidents.