45 Comments Add your own

• 1. Bradford Anderson  |  April 9th, 2008 at 8:25 am

  Dr. Carr has done an excellent job in describing the unpleasant results of misbehaving abroad.

  When people from out of town, out of state, or out of country come to visit us in San Luis Obispo, we have every right to expect them to behave according to our laws and to punish them (and impose civil liability upon them) if they do not. Similarly, when you go to visit them, you must conform to their legal standards or pay the price for not doing so.

  Given electronic sharing of records with the FBI, a criminal record abroad will impede one’s ability to obtain employment in the U.S., and you will also be ridiculed by your peers for being unable or unwilling to conform to legal standards in another country.

  Prudent minds will heed Dr. Carr’s advice, and avoid the experience of applied learning in criminal (or civil) judicial systems abroad.

  One other point of comment: Even if you do not get into criminal trouble abroad, misbehavior will follow you in your career. Your classmates will know if you are “out of control” and will be unlikely to provide you with references, support, etc. in any hiring process when you are seeking a job back here at home. Bottom line: What comes around, goes around.

• 2. Dena Malloy  |  April 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

  Another way to put all of this is simply, you are a guest in another country. We must remember to treat our host in a way that reflects the hospitality that they are affording us. It is helpful for us to learn what is polite as well as the laws of our host country. It is not the purpose of this trip to make waves, only to learn.

• 3. Simeon Trieu  |  April 10th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

  This really doesn’t need to be stated as many times as it has been. We are in China and India to learn, not to teach. When visiting any new country or environment, it would be in anyone’s best interests to first observe, then make decisions. How could anyone make a rational decision otherwise? I don’t feel like the class this year would do anything like that, but for those who are rebellious in nature, know that what Prof. Carr says is absolutely true. You don’t want to screw with China during the summer Olympics. They will come down on you hard.

• 4. Pierre Michael  |  April 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

  Wow, I just watched the first part of that Peru video, that’s some scary stuff. As the girl is talking about what happened they flash back to a re-enactment of the scene and she looks several years younger. This may be exaggerated for effect, but if you are stuck in a foreign jail for months, let alone years, life would be pretty miserable indeed. I really want to watch the rest of that video. If someone finds a link, please post.

• 5. Chris Carr  |  April 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

  I should add that China historian Jonathan Spence wrote a landmark book called “To Change China: Western Advisers in China: 1620-1960 (published 1969 by Little, Brown).

  You could read this for your Spring book review.

  In the book he aptly points out in that scores of missionaries, physicians, scholars and others who went to help develop China did nothing of the sort. Though these would-be change agents succeeded in integrating themselves into China and themselves became insiders, they failed in change China. In fact, if anything, China changed them.

• 6. Morgan O'Hara  |  December 15th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

  Talk about an in-depth cultural immersion. I’ve seen one or two of these shows, as well as the movie Midnight Express. I don’t think any MBA student would be so dimwitted as to become a drug mule, though I’m sure there are those who will be tempted to bring their personal stash. If it’s any comfort, Cal Poly will disown you. And do be careful when you drink. You can get into any number of hairy situations abroad. Always trust your gut. Don’t get suckered into doing something that doesn’t feel right. That’s for suckers.

• 7. Xiaofei Song  |  February 21st, 2009 at 10:36 pm

  When I am in a foreign country, I know when I do something bad, people will always say she is a Chinese. Nobody will remember my name, they will only remember Chinese. When we are in India or China, people will say they are MBAs from Cal Poly, California, United States……..

• 8. Katie Moeller  |  January 8th, 2011 at 8:33 am

  Alright, I’m hooked. Not on the idea of being stupid and confiscating drugs but on these shows. I’m enjoying watching people’s stupidity and the aftermath unfold. Either way, the shows provide the truth to what can happen when you disobey the law in a foreign country and the consequences. These videos would also be good for undergrad students who are about to study abroad. The blogs also provided good points. The lists of “not to do’s” is a good read for all of us and for anyone traveling abroad.

• 9. David Hart  |  January 16th, 2011 at 1:18 pm

  Wow–the “Locked Up Abroad” episodes are fascinating. Foreign jails do not look like fun places to be. The overcrowding and inadequate sanitation that often accompanies these facilities is incredible. I’ll have to watch some more episodes of this show. People need to be smart and use common sense when traveling!

• 10. Amanda Podesta  |  January 18th, 2011 at 10:06 am

  Locked Up Abroad is absolutely eerie.

  The thing is… I can understand where these tourists were coming from. Travellers are used to being made to feel that they are being indulged or catered to… hotels like the Ritz, casinos like Harrahs, tv-stations like the Travel Channel, and publications like Conde Naste all contribute to the air that we feel entitled to double-standards: WE’RE on holiday.

  It is every traveler’s responsibility to understand where your host country draws the line between respectful and disrespectful behavior. You aren’t in Kansas anymore. Travel warily; lose the “Ugly American” confidence.

• 11. Tim Easton  |  January 24th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

  Locked Up Abroad is a great show! I have seen a couple episodes before, and I do not want to spend any time in a foreign jail. We need to be smart as travelers, and know that our rules don’t apply everywhere we go. We also need to be aware that police are often looking for any excuse to punish American travelers . The only way to get rid of our bad reputation is to start being respectful of different cultures when we travel.

• 12. Chris Fung  |  February 2nd, 2011 at 11:15 am

  It seems like the people in the Locked up Abroad episodes are really arrogant or really dumb. I mean, I’m sure their own countries have laws banning the trafficking of drugs; could they be that naïve to believe any foreign country is any different? In China, I’ve read about how tough their drug possession/trafficking policies are and that they have no problems sentencing people to death if they are found to be in possession of large amounts of illegal drugs. In this article I found, the Chinese authorities can lock up you without trial for two years or more for a single incident (what might amount to an infraction here in America): http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/world/asia/08china.html

  It just goes to show how a little due diligence on your behalf on researching about a place you are about to visit can keep you safe and aware. I can remember during my travels in Japan with someone, this person would be eating or have their shoes on inside the Buddhist temple - a faux pas in the eyes of the Japanese. While we were politely told by someone of our mistake and I knew it wasn’t breaking any law in Japan (through my own research before arriving in the country), had we been in a more conservative country such as Saudi Arabia, this normally minor infraction could be seen as a major incident against Islam and we would be punished accordingly. So I hope all of us come home safely and never have to experience what those unfortunate other souls have experienced. I just hope we all have that common sense and are smarter than that.

• 13. Cassie Bettencourt  |  February 3rd, 2011 at 4:39 pm

  I also have watched Locked Up Abroad before and it always leaves me feeling quite uneasy. It’s an important reminder that one poor decision can change your whole life so quickly and in such a drastic matter. It is so important for Americans and people in general to remember that they are not the exception. You cannot think you will be the one to get away with something. With that attitude, you certainly will not. Although the travelers on the show seem rather naive, unlucky, or just plain stupid in some cases, hind sight is 20/20 and you must be proactive in not falling into traps of the unfamiliar. I agree with the CLB post that Americans sometimes have an unrealistic expectation of what the American government can/will do for you abroad should you get into trouble. This gives people a false sense of security which can be detrimental to their decision-making. Foreign countries are definitely not the best place to flaunt your ego or agenda. The most important things we can do as travelers is to be aware, well-educated, and respectful.

• 14. Brady Haug  |  February 5th, 2011 at 7:00 pm

  Locked Up Abroad is a thrilling series. I have seen this show quite a few times and it is really unnerving. It seems to be that the people who get imprisoned in South and Central America are placed in the most horrid prisons. The large majority of these shows all revolve around drug trafficking. It seems hard to believe that anyone could be enticed by the thought of a few thousand dollars to risk prison in a foreign country. When traveling in any country you need to take precaution in anything you do. Considering how vastly different China is from the US, as compared to the UK for example, we must be on our best behavior and look out for one another. The fact sheet for the Olympics that was distributed by the US State Department should make anyone planning to do anything off color change their mind. One other thing I noticed was that the hotels appear to be of a dangerous nature. The sheet made me concerned about the safety of property in my room. I’m sure we will all have a safe and successful trip.

• 15. Sarah Weinzapfel  |  February 8th, 2011 at 7:43 pm

  I love this show. There’s something about seeing how insane the predicaments people can get them selves into that fascinates me. I agree with the CLB post and have noticed that a lot of people think when they see a show like that “this will never happen to me.” I think it’s absurd that Americans or anyone in a foreign country think they can be careless and the consequences will be taken care of by someone else. Smuggling cocaine is a little more than careless, but I’m sure there actions less harmful than drugs that constitute as jail worthy. I don’t know how anyone could watch these videos and still have the desire to risk a situation similar to Jim and Paul’s.

• 16. Matt Streiter  |  February 8th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

  I like the episodes of Locked Up Abroad but it doesn’t really send me a scare message. The message you can extract from the show can apply to so many other aspects in life. In the end you have to be responsible for your actions. Being grad students I like to think we are able to make wise decisions. I do believe it is good to send the message that Americans are subject to the same punishments as the people native to that country. It was interesting to see in the video how less controlled the inside of the jail systems are since several prisoners had weapons on them which should be even more of a deterrent to stay out of there. Jim and Paul, if they had their thinking caps on, should have realized that if it was so safe and easy to move the drugs out of the country then their services would not be needed.

• 17. Chris Bruns  |  February 13th, 2011 at 4:52 pm

  Jeez, those videos were a nightmare to watch.

  Having been to prisons in the US and been scared, I have no desire to see one in a country where I stick out like a sore thumb. I completely understand that we should be on our best behavior and I plan on doing so. One of the things that worries me though is that I don’t know the laws and how they change from county to county, and state to state in the US, and there is no way for me to know the same gradients of what passes in China. Of course I wouldn’t do anything that is even questionable, but in the blog Avoiding Chinese Jails. I’m Talkin’ To You there was number 11 on the list of things that could land you in hot water, “11. Use of GPS devices.” After clicking the link I had no idea of how serious mapping or surveying in China was. Just one more piece of knowledge I’m glad that I picked up.

• 18. Will Moeller  |  February 19th, 2011 at 8:35 am

  Locked up Abroad is the most suspenseful show on TV in my opinion. I’ll never forget the first time I saw an episode - January, 2008. It was one month before I left for Brazil. Despite my tendency to always err on the side of caution when traveling abroad, this show really makes you think about all the stuff that could go wrong. One of the distinct memories I have from these episodes here is when these guys are getting on the plane back to America. The stress had to be unbelievable. Consequently, I distinctly remember my friend getting in trouble for having a can of guarana (Brazilian soda) in his bag when trying to board the plane back to D.C. I was nervous because I couldn’t tell what was going on or what the officials were saying to him. It’s one of those situations where your imagination can get the worst of you. Having not been within a mile of trouble for two weeks in Brazil, perhaps I was paranoid.

  Safe to say I’ll be erring on the side of caution while in China while still experiencing as much as possible.

• 19. Jessie Wilkie  |  February 19th, 2011 at 6:27 pm

  I’ve heard horror stories from my French friends about how French young people had been locked up in India. These youth were arrested for something as simple as a traffic violation (in a country where traffic laws are hardly enforced). My friends, however, elaborated and said these French youth were locked up for years and no one could help. They said it was because the youth hadn’t registered with the French consulate. This may or may not be the case, but I always assumed after hearing these stories that if you registered with the consulate then you would be okay. After reading this post, however, I realize that this is far from true.

  I watched the video on the two girls who were duped into transporting drugs to Peru. I mean seriously, as I was watching it I thought that the girls might not have known that they were being used, but when the guys told them explicitly what they were going to be doing I face palmed. How could anyone be so naive/dumb to do something like that?! That is a recipe for disaster.

  I thought the “Avoiding Chinese Jails, I’m Talking to You” was a very good post. It is very applicable to our trip. I really thought that the list of “Don’t Dos” in China was good to know. I might even print that out and bring it with me (along with my passport and visa and copies of those docs). This post coupled with all of the other readings has really been a reality check and a warning bell. Yes indeed, I will be coming home to my warm bed on schedule to avoid any trouble!

• 20. Jessica Shayler  |  February 19th, 2011 at 10:46 pm

  Based on these episodes, it seems like Bridget from “Bridget Jone’s Diary: The Edge of Reason” should have ended up more like Alice in “Brokedown Palace.” I feel that one of the driving forces behind all of these 40+ blogs has been to not only understand China, but also to respect it. If you are prepared to respect a different culture, it is less likely that you will get into any serious trouble. That said, I wonder what the statistics are on false accusations, wrong place-wrong time, etc in China? Remember the alpha and beta errors from quantitative analysis? They’re just as applicable to our trip as to hypothesis testing…

  Don’t be stupid, do your homework (as we’ve been doing), and we should be fine.

• 21. Jason Jay Sharma  |  February 24th, 2011 at 2:20 am

  Over the years, I’ve seen many, if not all, the episodes of Locked Up Abroad / Banged Up Abroad. This may sound horrible, but the main takeaway I have from the program is that there is a large number of stupid people out in the world and they usually deserve what they get. Its one thing for people who normally deal with drugs to get into trouble, but it’s almost unfathomable when you see young men and women around our age agree to transport drugs in / from foreign countries for a few thousand dollars. This is ridiculous–you couldn’t make some of these stories up! On that note, can we talk about young Americans deciding to go hiking in the Middle East along crisis torn nations that aren’t fans of the U.S.? Idiots!

  I’m less concerned with my own actions, but more with the possibilities of having drugs planted on person or in luggage unknowingly–these are the stories that scare me the most. Based on what I’ve researched online, staying within China this won’t be an issue… hopefully…

  When visiting family in Australia a few years back, my family was stopped by Customs in Sydney for brining microwaveable popcorn (long story short, my cousin requested a particular variety) because no seeds of any sort are allowed to be imported into the country. That led to a 30 minute delay during which I encountered the angriest Australians ever. I don’t plan on ever reliving such an experience.

  In the end, I think most travelers are naive about laws in countries they visit and in most cases this is completely fine. However, if you ever have to even think if an action is questionable while aboard, I recommend just avoiding it. When you are a tourist, you’re travelling to experience other nations and their customs and laws. And I think it’s especially important for our judgment to err on the conservative during our time in China. For countries that lack similarities and transparency to Westernized countries, it’s always smart to play it safe.

• 22. Kristine Spencer  |  February 26th, 2011 at 10:31 pm

  Literally the first thing that my dad told me when I told him I was going to China for the program was “Don’t try to do anything illegal when you’re in China.” I know I will be pretty paranoid about abiding the laws while in China and it shouldn’t be an issue, but I am somewhat concerned about safety and will not be going anywhere by myself. I’ve definitely heard some extremely intense horror travel stories about friends of friends that have frightened me, especially regarding Latin America and Asia. These events are realities that have stuck with me, and needless to say, I will not be trying to transport any cocaine back to the US for a couple thousand dollars. I like to take pictures of practically everything when I travel, and I will be conscious not take pictures of anything military related.

  These videos are pretty crazy, but so are the people who were involved. The prison depicted in Venezuela looked like pure hell. Some people like to think that they can get away with things that they wouldn’t be able to do even at home because they are on “vacation,” and they are entitled to do whatever they want.

• 23. Randy Camat  |  February 27th, 2011 at 5:48 pm

  Locked Up Abroad – what a great show to relate to our trip. I watched the Columbia video and it did give off a sense of helplessness – something that clicked after thinking about the title of this blog “…We Move On.” I hope nobody ever has to go through a situation of being locked up (abroad or domestically). The other video I watched was the Taiwan show and they both involved innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, what the main point is that you are responsible for your own actions and don’t expect the entire group to stop everything and help you out because “it’s not cool” to leave anyone behind. As harsh as it may sound, it’s the cold reality of what will probably happen.

• 24. Tyler Sereno  |  March 1st, 2011 at 8:42 pm

  Locked Up Abroad is a great show. I have seen several episodes of the show and they are intense. They make you realize exactly how terrible it is to go to jail in a foreign country. The stories on each show are crazy. The offcials don’t care if you are American, you get no special treatment. Watching this show reinforces the importance of staying out of trouble when traveling abroad. You have to be smart.

  The China Law Blog post does a good job if keeping you aware of what not to do in China in order to stay out of trouble. I was surprised to see that using GPS made the list of things to avoid. There is no reason to risk ruining your life.

• 25. Robbin Forsyth  |  March 1st, 2011 at 10:48 pm

  The “Locked Up Abroad” show is good TV. Another good movie to watch would be “Midnight Cowboy”.
  I’ve never had a problem with the law while in a foreign country, but I do know people that have spent time in Mexican prison for dumb escapades during surf trips in Baja.
  Jail terrifies me - no matter which continent or country.
  I do not view this trip as a vacation or opportunity to let loose.
  This is a graduate school learning experience and I will treat it accordingly

• 26. Tara Millard  |  March 2nd, 2011 at 9:50 pm

  This whole idea terrifies me, for both me and my classmates. I have watched enough episodes of locked up abroad (probably most of them) to know that invincibility does not travel abroad. While an expensive lawyer may help you get out of serious trouble in the United States, other countries, especially Asian countries do not give a s***.

  It saddens me how many people choose not to take this issue seriously. Being locked up abroad is in NO way worth the risk. If people are too young or naïve to realize the serious impact this could have on their lives, they can at least take into consideration the pain this would cause your family.

  I realize I am more passionate about this issue than most, but watching these shows and hearing these people’s stories is truly heart wrenching for me. I have watched people literally rot in foreign prisons while there loved ones wait helplessly and fight with no avail. If anyone thinks that there is even the most minor of chances that self-control may escape you on this trip, I would say with my whole heart and head that staying home is the only choice.

  It is important to not only obey the laws but also know the laws of the place where we are traveling. It doesn’t matter if we don’t know a law that we accidentally break, it will still cost someone their well-being.

  Professor Carr: in one of our pre-departure meetings can we discuss unique Chinese laws. I think it may be useful and eye-opening.

• 27. j hurley  |  March 5th, 2011 at 11:19 am

  Locked up Abroad is a good show, and helps bring home the facts that the U.S. is much different than all other places. However, there is a common law that works in all places… don’t be a dumb ass. Just think before you do.
  I realize that some situations just end badly, and these are the ones that need watching out for.
  If you think about what you do before you do it, traveling is kind of like motorcycle riding… it is not myself that I am worried about, I am worried about other drivers that don’t pay attention.

• 28. Dan N  |  March 9th, 2011 at 7:49 am

  I personally know an American kid in a Thai prison for drug related offenses. I’m also reminded of the kid in Singapore who was locked up for years and “caned” for graffiti. Jail in developing countries is my worst nightmare. Seriously, I can’t imagine what the food and accommodations must consist of. You won’t find me anywhere close to that gray area of legal/illegal behavior. Period.

• 29. Ben Raymond  |  March 11th, 2011 at 9:26 pm

  I’ve seen Locked Up Abroad before and jail in a foreign country is one place you don’t want to end up. As a foreigner you already have a tendency to stand out and they will not hesitate to lock you up. The jail conditions are horrible and you will be treated as a criminal. And don’t count on the U.S. to bail you out. As stated, the U.S. has little influence in foreign countries, especially China. The best they will be able to do is put you in touch with your family and possibly a local lawyer. I plan to stay as far away from jail as possible. As a guest it is important to respect the local customs. I’ve seen enough drunk and disrespectful tourists to know that they are not kindly received.

• 30. Kyle R.  |  March 12th, 2011 at 8:06 pm

  I’ve seen many episodes of Locked Up Abroad and I can only imagine what it would be like in China. Being locked up abroad is one of my worst fears about going to China. I’m not planning on doing anything that is questionable while I’m there, but I’ve heard so many horror stories where people are jailed for practically no reason (in other countries)… that’s what troubles me. The blog posts serve as a good tool for making it known as to what laws exist that we might not expect. Hopefully our group stays safe and makes the most out of our trip.

• 31. J Vail  |  March 14th, 2011 at 12:25 pm

  Great show, the clips from Venezuela were terrifying! I think that we all understand where to draw the line in behavior, and that we are only responsible for ourselves. Even though it wouldn’t necessarily end up with being put in jail, we also need to be careful about being swindled – I’ve heard multiple stories from people similar to the one mentioned in the post, a girl will lead someone ‘back home’ with her when really it is to follow them into a dark alley and get robbed. I am going to make it a point to stick with the group which is the best way to keep out of trouble.

• 32. Anthony Kallioinen  |  March 17th, 2011 at 3:58 pm

  This subject is a frightening realization, yet a necessary reality check for those traveling abroad. In the last post I said that “The best way not to get taken advantage of is to be vigilant and proactively do not make yourself a target for pick-pockets.” This also applies to the authorities. We should be vigilant and careful about our actions in China and be knowledgeable about the repercussions that exist for those that break the law. Although I have no intention of breaking Chinese law it still puts things into perspective to realize the size of the American embassy ‘safety net.’

• 33. JP Salazar  |  March 18th, 2011 at 12:15 am

  I have seen quite a few episodes of Locked Up Abroad before this posting. While I am not very fond of this show (I don’t really like reality television in general), it does do a great job of showing some stark images of the consequences of breaking the law in developing countries.
  The articles reiterate a point that Prof. Carr has been trying to push during our preparation. If we get ourselves into trouble while traveling abroad, we are essentially on our own. The group will not stop for us, we will not be treated differently as Americans, and our Embassy and Consulate will have very little power to help us in our situation.
  In all honesty, there is no amount of fun that could make me risk spending a minute in a Chinese jail. I have no illusions that as a foreigner I could very easily have a target on my back from local law enforcement. This is just more of a reason to follow all laws to the letter. In the end it is all about acting respectfully. As long as we are humble, follow the rules, and don’t act too belligerent or outlandish we should all be ok. I plan on using this China trip as an opportunity to expand my horizons and learn about a different culture, not acting a fool and getting myself into trouble. I really hope that this year will not be “the one.”

• 34. Omar Pradhan  |  March 18th, 2011 at 3:05 pm

  When in Rome…follow the law! Great points / considerations raised in the China Law Blog articles. Definitely want to avoid doing anything that might jeopardize my ability to stay with the group. Also, given my military background and reading about how they are cracking down on “spies,” I have reason to be extra careful about how my behavior is perceived (i.e. not to give anyone an excuse to harass me). I did some reading at the embassy website as recommended and it is indeed a great resource to look at for the latest trends: http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/12172010u.html - also, Facebook has a “U.S. Embassy Beijing American Citizen Services” page…with good info updated from time to time (if you “like” it, you’ll receive updates from their feed on your wall). Notwithstanding all of this, I am confident that by using ordinary prudence and judgment and by staying with the group, as born out in years past, this can / will be a rewarding / fun trip.

• 35. Chris Carr  |  March 20th, 2011 at 6:29 pm

  @ Tara,

  On the ground in China, I plan to briefly touch on some of the more important laws as they relate to BUSINESS, and mainly for small and medium sized firms.

  Re the criminal law and side, that could take days to do well, so my lecture on this sub topic is incredibly short given our limited time and constraints ….

  “People of America: always use common sense and good judgment, don’t put yourselves in any risky situation, always be aware of your surroundings, lay off the booze during your off the clock time, never-ever-ever do drugs in China, lay low and don’t stand out, and you should be just fine.”

  Prof. Carr

• 36. Kevin K.  |  February 12th, 2012 at 1:44 pm

  “Locked Up Abroad” is actually a pretty frightening show, mainly because the reality of being in a foreign place with little to no means of communication — not to mention how often you can be thrown into a cell for doing (at least in your mind) very little apparent offenses. I can also see the Chinese being ruthless when it comes to foreigners on these matters, especially doe-eyed Americans such as ourselves.

  There isn’t much we can really do except heed these repeated warnings — which basically means use your head and don’t do anything stupid. Again, do not do anything stupid. Safety in a group is key for us traveling in Asia, oh and did I mention not doing something stupid…?

• 37. Vladimir  |  February 24th, 2012 at 7:38 pm

  The full Locked Up in Venezuela episode is available on YouTube. These guys were crazy, agreeing to bring the cocaine over. I certainly don’t have any plans to do this, and I wouldn’t enjoy my stay in a foreign country if I had to smuggle drugs, even if they put me up in a 5-star hotel and paid me.

  I heard that in Mexico you can be thrown into jail for a driving infraction and then have to pay the police off to get released, and that they might even want you to contact your parents for even more money. Being arrested abroad would make me feel more powerless than getting arrested here because at least here I have certain rights and know what to expect when interacting with US law enforcement.

• 38. Charles Dornbush  |  February 29th, 2012 at 11:32 am

  Wow, the “Locked Up in Venezuela” video was truly frightening. I’m confident that none of our students will try to smuggle drugs, but I’m sure that there are more grey areas that we will all want to research beforehand. The basic rule of thumb, like Dr. Carr said was to avoid drugs and fighting all together. I’m personally considering limiting my “exploring” during off-the-clock time, it’s not worth the risk of going to Chinese prison.

  It’s also good to know that the American embassy will not send the full force of the U.S. government to bail us out. I think in our decision making we need to assume that no one will come to our aid if we get locked up. It’s best to be extremely cautious, considering the extreme consequences. Here’s to hoping that no one from Cal Poly ever gets mixed up in something like “Locked Up Abroad”.

• 39. Keith Cody  |  March 1st, 2012 at 10:03 pm

  The short version of all this is, don’t get arrested in a foreign country for doing something stupid, like smuggling drugs. You are not a citizen and have very little, if any rights. Foreign prisons are nothing like American prisons.

  I found the full length videos on nationalgeographic.com
  See all full-length episodes at:
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad

  Locked up Abroad: Caracas, Venezuela
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-caracas/

  Locked up Abroad: Peru
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-locked-up-abroad-peru/

  Locked up Abroad: Lima, Peru
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-locked-up-abroad-lima/

  Locked up Abroad: Columbia
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-locked-up-abroad-colombia/

  Korea is interesting too:
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-korea/

  For Vladimir, here are the episodes on Mexico:

  Locked up Abroad: Mexico
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-busted-in-mexico/

  Locked up Abroad: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/full-episodes/locked-up-abroad/ngc-puerto-vallarta/

• 40. Grant  |  March 2nd, 2012 at 3:53 pm

  I really don’t understand the lunacy that would tempt these guys or girls to do what they did. For what? You have to be completely naive or ignorant to believe it is worth the chance.
  I would hope that if we are intelligent enough to get into the OCOB and get this far in the MBA program, that we are intelligent enough to not do something so stupid.
  While I don’t expect there to be any problems, I do understand that the warnings need to be set forth. Message understood.

• 41. Jeffrey Brown  |  March 12th, 2012 at 2:53 pm

  Very good points, I have no intention of doing anything that might get me locked up as do I hope the same for my peers.

  Another thing you might want to consider is informing your relatives of your travel plans/itinerary and coming up with a secret phrase to indicate that you are in trouble to them. Over last summer when I was travelling across the country a relative of mine received a phone call indicating that I was arrested in Mexico for DUI. The caller insisted my relative pay money to bail me out, else I would be transferred to the Mexican prison system. Someone even came on the phone posing as me (scary enough, apparently sounding quite like me) pleading for help. Fortunately my relative did not fall for this scam, but it was very nerve racking as I was in the air and could not be reached at the time.

• 42. Georgia  |  March 12th, 2012 at 7:28 pm

  In both of the videos the guys who talk the people into smuggling always make it seem like everything will go smoothly. What I don’t understand is why these people believed them. If a car dealership was trying to sell you a car and told you he would give you a fair price you wouldn’t take his word for it. You would do research before committing yourself. Now I know if I want to smuggle coke I should do it in America, or at least someplace with nice prisons. I don’t want to witness anyone getting shot and stabbed. (Disclaimer: I have no desire to ever ever ever smuggle coke).
  My father’s friend had to go to Thailand to get his son out of prison. He was caught smoking a joint and it took his dad $20,000 just to get to the actual prison and another $80,000 in bribes to release his son. There is no way I want to risk time and money in prison. I am definitely going to air on the squeaky clean side of any issues.

• 43. Fred S.  |  March 14th, 2012 at 7:27 pm

  “It’s all good man… free vacation to South America!” … Nope. It’s not all good in those prisons. Americans don’t have free range abroad like we wish we could. No country really owes anything to us, and they aren’t going to cut us any slack. Locked up abroad is the last place I want to be. Keep your head on straight and be on the lookout. A sketchy person will always be a sketchy person no matter their nationality.

• 44. Ashley Tyra  |  March 15th, 2012 at 10:41 pm

  I can’t believe what happens in “Locked Up Abroad.” I don’t know how people can make such a poor decision without thinking about the consequences of getting caught. I highly doubt any of us will get caught up in something as blatant as a drug smuggle, but it is important to be familiar with what is unacceptable in another country.

  Hopefully no one in our group will have to go through any situation involving jail. Let’s all just remember not to cause a scene or do anything stupid.

• 45. Daniel Fleek  |  March 16th, 2012 at 1:21 pm

  I think we are guests to their country and therefore, we should follow their rules. I went to Rosarito in Mexico one year for spring break and noticed all the college students getting drunk causing havoc in an otherwise ordinary Mexican town. This showed me how arrogant us Americans can be when visiting other countries. In fact, I had a close call in Mexico once from drinking too much and getting lost and since then, I’ve learned to always be in control, especially in third world countries. I can’t wait to visit China and I will do my best to be a respectful guest because the last place I want to be in is some Chinese prison cell.

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