Backpackers tend to experience cultures up close, mixing with locals and often getting 'caught up in the moment', so it?s important that you think carefully about the situations your might end up in while in a foreign country with unfamiliar languages and customs. Here are some common sense tips from Nicolas le Roux, marketing manager for Student Flights:

Be smart
As we?ve been made aware of in a big way lately, when you?re travelling in a foreign country you?re subject to the laws of the country, whether you agree with them or not.

Be sensitive to local customs and dress codes Some cultures are deeply offended by revealing or inappropriate clothes. This applies to both male and female travellers.

Take out insurance
You?re a dummy if you don?t. Without it, illness, injury and theft for example can ruin your holiday, not to mention your bank balance.

The paperwork
Find out early what visas you need, as applications can take up to six weeks. Talk to your Student Flights consultant for advice. Remember, it's up to you to make sure that you obtain the necessary visas well in advance.

Keep in touch
There are ways and means of keeping in touch. Let your family and friends know where you are going in case something goes wrong.

Money matters
Take travellers cheques and a couple of major credit cards with you (keep one of the cards separate from your other valuables). Don?t carry large amounts of cash ? losing it or having it stolen can ruin your trip.

Secure your valuables
Keep your 'good stuff' like your passport and other valuables in something worn around the neck, under your clothes and out of sight. Thieves just love those store-bought bum bags that send "jackpot" signals.

Take copies of important stuff
Photocopy your itinerary, passport, credit cards, travel documents and important phone numbers. Leave a copy with your folks and keep a copy in your luggage.

Just say no!
Never carry packages or luggage for another person through Customs at airports (think Bridget Jones here), bus depots or across borders. Very Bad Idea.

Stay sharp on long trips
If you?re travelling by train, especially overnight, secure your gear and don?t take sleeping pills. In some countries, gangs of thieves operate on trains and rob sleeping passengers. If you?re travelling with friends, try and sleep in shifts.

Be cautious when accepting food and drink from strangers. Unless of course you enjoy the possibility of being drugged and robbed! Another handy trick is to wrap a rubber band around objects in pockets ? it's a great way to slow down the pickpockets!

Never hitchhike
Never, it?s as simple as that.

Stay healthy
Have a health and dental check-up before you leave. Find out what vaccinations you?ll need and have them done well before leaving.

Safe sex is good sex
Take a good supply of contraceptives, especially reliable condoms? you just never know your luck in a small town!

Girls on film
Keep all your exposed camera films on you. If you don?t and they?re stolen, you'll lose all your photos. You can replace a camera, but never the shots.

Clever packing
Pack an elastic clothesline ? these are one of the best things ever invented for the backpacker.

Also don?t pack too many clothes. You?re just going to shop once you get there anyway, and you know it. Our advice is to pack, take half out, take half out again, and you?re somewhere near the amount you really need.

"Above all else," concludes Le Roux, "keep your sense of humour and enjoy the experience."

For more information on youth travel, contact Student Flights on 0860 400 737.