Spring Break
Aruba case reminds students to travel with caution
Cassandra Bluett
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Student Life
Students who plan to travel to Mexico should take caution. Juarez, Mexico is a common party spot to some Western students, especially those under legal drinking age. Karina Soares enjoys going south of the border, "I go to party and I love it. I have a great time every time."
But how safe is it to travel across the border? The hot topic for news this summer was eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway, who disappeared without a trace on May 30, during a class trip to Aruba. She was last seen leaving the nightclub, Carlos 'N Charlie's, with three young men at 1:30 am. Aruba police have been hard at work following leads that head only to dead ends as the case grows cold.
This case is an eye opener to some when it comes to traveling to foreign countries. Some don't like to go to Mexico because of the fear of what might happen.
"I don't go anyways, for the same reason," says Cristina Kolb, who believes the parties in Mexico aren't worth the risk.
Traveling across the border can be much more dangerous for females than it is for males. Semillas Para El Cambio a publication of the Centro de Ayuda a Victimas de Violacion (Center for Rape Victims) Department of Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico, reports that a women is raped every 9 minutes in Mexico.
"I went once and I was scared the entire time," states Abby Denham, who went to Juarez with a group of friends.
Since 1993, over 370 women have been murdered in Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico, and at least 137 of them after being sexually assaulted.
Some still decide to go, despite the risks. "Honestly, I don't think it [Holloway's disappearance] will change anybody's mind. They don't think anything will happen unless it happens to them," adds Soares.
For those who do decide to go, there is safety in numbers. Make sure someone knows where you are at all times, in case you get into trouble. It is also smart for a group of females to have a male in the group. A guy is less likely to assault a woman who is with another man. Have fun, but stay safe.
But how safe is it to travel across the border? The hot topic for news this summer was eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway, who disappeared without a trace on May 30, during a class trip to Aruba. She was last seen leaving the nightclub, Carlos 'N Charlie's, with three young men at 1:30 am. Aruba police have been hard at work following leads that head only to dead ends as the case grows cold.
This case is an eye opener to some when it comes to traveling to foreign countries. Some don't like to go to Mexico because of the fear of what might happen.
"I don't go anyways, for the same reason," says Cristina Kolb, who believes the parties in Mexico aren't worth the risk.
Traveling across the border can be much more dangerous for females than it is for males. Semillas Para El Cambio a publication of the Centro de Ayuda a Victimas de Violacion (Center for Rape Victims) Department of Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico, reports that a women is raped every 9 minutes in Mexico.
"I went once and I was scared the entire time," states Abby Denham, who went to Juarez with a group of friends.
Since 1993, over 370 women have been murdered in Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico, and at least 137 of them after being sexually assaulted.
Some still decide to go, despite the risks. "Honestly, I don't think it [Holloway's disappearance] will change anybody's mind. They don't think anything will happen unless it happens to them," adds Soares.
For those who do decide to go, there is safety in numbers. Make sure someone knows where you are at all times, in case you get into trouble. It is also smart for a group of females to have a male in the group. A guy is less likely to assault a woman who is with another man. Have fun, but stay safe.
