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Spring break is a time for students to have fun, relax, spend time with friends, and give their minds a break from priorities at school. It’s an amazing way to learn about the world as they explore and experience different cultures. In the midst of this excitement, it’s easy to neglect the dangers that come with foreign countries or unfamiliar territories. After all, spring break is supposed to be about creating happy memories, not worrying about potential dangers. Unfortunately, the recent devastating news about Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who tragically disappeared while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, is a poignant reminder of how easily things can go awry.
I’ve personally experienced how a tragedy overseas can shatter a family’s world. On October 20th, 2012, at 3:37 am, I woke to a phone call to find out that my beautiful big sister and best friend, Nicole, had been killed in a motorbike accident while she was vacationing in Thailand. At first I didn’t believe it — “There’s no way my sister would get on a motorbike here at home, let alone in a foreign country without a helmet?!” But she did. She innocently fell into the invincibility mindset that so many other young tourists take with them on their trips in pursuit of adventure and spontaneous memories. With this, they assume that bad things won’t happen to them. But the truth is, accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere — no matter how beautiful the destination is.
This devastating loss of Nicole not only showed me how quickly the unthinkable can happen, but also cemented the importance of prioritizing safety, no matter where you are. In the wake of our heartbreak, my family and I founded the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation, dedicated to educating young people about travel safety.
For over five years, I traveled to schools sharing Nicole’s story and promoting this important message: “If you wouldn’t take the risk at home, don’t take it overseas.” It’s a message I remain dedicated to spreading, because as soon as you step on foreign shores, you lose the safety net of protection at home — including support systems, emergency services, and medical facilities. This wake up call is needed more than ever, especially with “influencers” promoting risky behaviors online as if it’s cool. But it’s not. You know what is cool? Coming home from a trip safely into the arms of your loved ones, with tons of happy memories to last for a lifetime.
Motorbikes and scooters are common modes of transportation in several countries, and many spring break destinations have minimal road safety standards. For example, Thailand has the second deadliest roads in the world — a statistic I wish my sister had known before her trip, because I know she would have never taken that risk if she’d realized just how dangerous it was. Yet many locals ride without helmets, making it easy to believe that it’s safe to do so. The reality is that there may be dramatic differences in culture, customs, rules, and regulations that young adults need to be aware of before arriving at foreign destinations.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Key tips for staying safe on the roads include always wearing a helmet, avoiding driving under the influence, keeping an eye out for unsafe road infrastructure, and assessing the safety of the vehicle. While these tips may seem obvious, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment for the sake of the adventure … but all it takes is one mistake.
Drink spiking also remains a significant concern for travelers, especially young women. We hear far too many stories about the dangers of drink spiking, which is why it is so extremely important to never leave any drink unattended, and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know. If you’re over the country’s drinking age, it’s essential to keep an eye on your alcohol intake to ensure you are always aware of your surroundings. And with this comes the buddy system. While staying in a new environment, it is crucial to always have a friend at your side. Having a trusted friend who never leaves your side is an excellent way to reduce risks and stay safe. Always avoid venturing out alone, especially at night. If you do need to go somewhere alone, tell your friends where you’re going and bring your phone with you so you can always contact someone if needed. Also, keep your family at home updated daily on your whereabouts and plans for the day. Everyone should know where you are at all times.
Additionally, travel insurance is often overlooked and seen as an unnecessary expense, but it’s crucial, as you never know when the unexpected will happen and how costly it could be. My parents were hit with over $40,000 in medical bills when they arrived at the hospital in Thailand after Nicole’s accident. The hospital staff wouldn’t even allow them to see Nicole, even though she’d already passed away, until these bills had been fully paid. Thankfully, Nicole had taken out the right travel insurance policy and the insurance company took care of these bills immediately, as finances were the last thing we could think about.
Unfortunately, our story isn’t an outlier. Nearly one in four Americans experience medical problems while traveling internationally, and the cost of these bills can quickly reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars that you would need to pay out of pocket. Travel insurance isn’t an afterthought; it’s as essential as your passport. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that no travel insurance is ever unlimited — read the terms and conditions to understand in which situations you will or will not be covered. Beware that alcohol and drugs may affect your coverage, and be sure to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions. It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of your policy on vacation and leave a copy at home with family or friends.
The tragic disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki serves as a painful reminder that we should never take our safety for granted. We aren’t invincible. While we can’t predict what can happen, we can prepare ourselves, minimize risks, and look after ourselves and our friends. Of course, we all want to enjoy ourselves on vacation, but you can still do that while prioritizing your health and wellbeing, so it does become the trip of a lifetime.
I strongly encourage all parents and guardians to have this conversation with your children to empower them to make smart choices while on spring break, graduation trips, or any other vacation. By having these open conversations, we are breaking through the all-too-common mindset of “this will never happen to me.”
Losing my sister was the most heart-wrenching experience I will ever endure, but I hope by sharing Nicole’s story, I can inspire other students and young people to prioritize their safety so no family has to experience this kind of tragic loss. Let’s promise to put our safety first this spring break — not just for ourselves, but for our family, friends, and everyone who loves us.
Kate Gladdin is a resilience coach, motivational speaker, and best-selling author of Okay, Now What? How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough.
