With spring break approaching, the U.S. Department of State is working to inform students about the dangers of traveling abroad.

Worldwide cautions for traveling have been issued, along with travel warnings for specific travel destinations, said Stuart Patt, a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.

"In general, the world is a more dangerous place than it has been," Patt said.

People traveling need to be more cautious now than they normally are, he said. It is important for Americans to avoid gathering in large groups but also to avoid being entirely alone, Patt added.

The bombing of a nightclub in Bali last October is "an example of how terrorists can target Westerners," Patt said.

The bombing killed more than 171 people, including Americans, Swedes, Australians, Canadians and Britons.

There are terror warnings out for many popular destinations in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, Patt said. There are no specific warnings for Europe, but the Consular Office does issue warnings for areas where there are scheduled or frequent war protests, he added.

"The best advice I can give anyone is to check our Web site [www.travel.state.gov] before traveling," Patt said.

Another important thing for Americans to remember when traveling abroad is to be discreet, he said. Avoid dressing oddly or speaking loudly, Patt said.

"Always be aware of where you are and what's going on around you," he added.

Sharon Dixon, owner of World Wide Travel Service, 231 N. Allegheny St., in Bellefonte, said she doesn't feel traveling is any more dangerous than it usually is, unless the destination is in a state of conflict, Dixon said.

"I wouldn't go anywhere near the Middle East right now," she said.

Dixon said she is always careful to warn people of the dangers of traveling abroad, and the biggest danger is being the victim of a pickpocket.

A common ploy for pickpockets in foreign countries is to have a child sell something to a tourist. While the tourist digs for change, a pickpocket goes to work, Dixon said. This is particularly common in countries such as France, Italy and Spain, she added.

"Police really don't do anything about it," Dixon said.

Dixon said students don't face any additional danger when they travel, as families and people traveling for business are most likely to be targeted because they're assumed to have more money. Students traveling still face the danger of being robbed, she added.

"Students aren't targeted any more -- they don't really have any money," Dixon said.

Matt Pietropola (senior-management science and information systems) said he is planning to go to Jamaica for spring break but is not worried about his safety. He said he will not be taking any precautions while traveling.

"I don't really worry about much," Pietropola said.

When traveling abroad through the university, students are given guidelines to follow and information about their destination. The university, however, does not offer information for students traveling independently during breaks, Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said.

Students can generally obtain information about traveling abroad through government sources, Kendig said. If the student is taking part in a university program, any important government information will be passed to them through the university, he said.