Safety

Traveller Safety Tips

Before an Adoption

  1. Check Profiles and Review References Carefully

    When looking for potential hosts, take the time to carefully review other members by thoroughly reading all the information available on their profiles. Browse through the reviews and star ratings section and find out what other members have said about them. Read references/reviews to get a sense of others’ experiences.

    Do not rush and keep searching, the perfect host is out there. We encourage all members to choose “Verified Accounts” rather than unverified accounts.

  2. Communicate Through the Abroadly Messaging System

    Use the messaging system on the website as this allows our “Help and Support” team to identify any issues and resolve disputes between members. Do not give away personal contact information such as phone numbers or your email address to other members unless you are confident or have met them personally. Initiate good conversation and ask smart questions. At the end of the day, our real-time messaging system is included in your subscription so take advantage of it.

  3. Allocate Time to Get to Know a Potential Host

    Below are some tips to get you started:

    • What accommodation are you offering?

    • How many people live in your home?

    • Are you offering free accommodation for cultural or work exchange?

    • How many hours am I expected to work in exchange for the accommodation?

    • Are meals included in your offer?

    • Have you adopted backpackers / international students before?

    • Are there safety precautions I’ll need to take into consideration in the neighborhood or surrounding areas?

    • Is public transport accessible in your area?

  4. Clearly Discuss The Arrangement of The Adoption

    Always clarify the terms and conditions of the adoption with your potential host. In rare instances, things don‘t work out as planned because the expectations of either party weren‘t met due to a lack of communication.

    This specifically relates but not limited to:

    • Duration of the Adoption.

    • Accommodation arrangements.

    • Number of hours of work-exchange per day.

    • Hourly rate of salary (if applicable).

    • Full-time, part time or casual work (superannuation contributions).

    • Special working conditions.

Booking an Adoption

  1. Book an Adoption Through the Messaging System

    Booking an adoption is as easy as one, two, three via our customized booking system located within the chat functionality. Using our booking system allows you to keep track of past adoptions and record all your upcoming adoptions in your personalized “My Adoptions” menu.

    Keeping a record of all your adoptions makes it easier for our “Help and Support” team to track your most recent activities on our website and enables us to easily identify other members you have been in contact with in case of an emergency.

  2. Let Your Family and Friends Know About the Adoption Plans

    Travel tests our capacity to trust complete strangers & being in different places a long way from home, we constantly rely on other people to show us guidance. Being adopted by a new host and having the opportunity to be part of another family and culture is very cool but always keep in mind that we do not live in a perfect world and some risks are always present wherever we may go.

    Always let your family or trusted friends know about your travel plans. Providing them with important information like WHOM and WHERE you are staying with and for HOW LONG should be part of your daily travel planning.

  3. Always Have a Backup Plan

    Travel presents us with amazing opportunities for new adventures, but it can also be complex. Always have a PLAN B just in case an adoption doesn’t work out with your host.

    Do not make fixed travel plans until the host has confirmed your stay. Also keep in mind that occasionally a host has to cancel or postpone an adoption due to unforeseen circumstances.

    Be sure you have an alternate place to stay. Possibly the nearest hostel or hotel to your host's location and have a look at your host’s neighborhood to know what is available including accessibility to public transport.

During the Adoption

  1. Save Emergency Numbers on Speed Dials

    Always save important emergency numbers on your phone. Police, park rangers, sheriff’s, family and trusted friends are all options when you may need assistance. Be sure to update these numbers according to the country you are in and the area code prefix for each country.

    When creating your profile for Abroadly, be sure to fill out your emergency contact details so we can help assist where possible.

  2. Research Cultural and Religious Practices

    During your travels, some countries or particular locations may have historic or religious customs and lifestyle preferences that are very different to your own. Use this as an opportunity to see the world from a new perspective and enjoy new cultures along the way.

  3. Get to Know Your Host

    Upon meeting your host personally, spend some time getting to know them. Initiate a good conversation and ask questions. Communicate clearly and clarify relevant information to prevent any misunderstanding between you and your host.

    Do you feel comfortable with them? Are there any special “ house rules” that you need to be aware of?

  4. Review and Discuss Terms and Conditions of Adoption

    Once you are acquainted and comfortable talking with your new host, take this opportunity to discuss and clarify the terms and conditions of the adoption or work exchange.

    Most of the problems/issues commonly encountered between the host and adoptee are miscommunication and misunderstanding. Be sure to ask questions about anything that is unclear.

  5. Cancelling Your Adoption

    If something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, address the situation and see if you can find a solution. If you cannot find a solution, you always have the right to end the adoption as needed.

    If it doesn’t feel right, politely raise your concern or issues. If anything about your interaction makes you uncomfortable, leave and find another host immediately. You can cancel your adoption at any time.

  6. Trust Your Instincts

    In any situation where you feel unsafe, threatened or in imminent danger or harm, remove yourself from the situation right away. Leave immediately!

    Contact the local authorities such as police, ambulance or any emergency services along with family and friends as soon as it is safe to do so.

After an Adoption Has Concluded

  1. Review/Star Ratings

    Use the “Review & Star Rating” system to let other members know about your adoption experience. Make your review honest and truthful to ensure reviews are relevant and fair.

    Abroadly is built on trust between members to help build the safest and most trusted community possible. Reporting safety concerns to our safety team helps keep other members safe.

  2. Report Negative Experiences

    We encourage all users to report negative experiences or safety concerns. If you feel there has been abuse of trust or misconduct on the behalf of either party, report the incident immediately to our safety team for appropriate intervention on our behalf. You can also do this by clicking the report button on the user's profile.

    Additionally, if you have identified anyone on Abroadly that might be suspicious, please contact our safety team immediately. All reports are strictly private and confidential.

Host Safety Tips

Before an Adoption

  1. Check Profiles and Review References Carefully

    When looking for a backpacker, traveller or international student to adopt, take the time to carefully review other members by thoroughly reading all the information available on their profiles. Browse through the reviews and star rating section and find out what other hosts have said about them.

    Read references/reviews to get a sense of who they are. We encourage all members to choose “Verified Accounts” rather than unverified accounts.

  2. Communicate Through the Abroadly Messaging System

    Use the messaging system on the website as this allows our “Help and Support” team to identify any issues and resolve disputes between members. Do not give away personal contacts such as phone numbers or email addresses to other members unless you are comfortable with it or have met them personally.

  3. Allocate Time to Get to Know a Potential Adoptee

    Below are some tips to get you started:

    • Where are you originally from?

    • Do you have brothers or sisters?

    • Are you travelling alone or with a partner/travel buddy?

    • How long have you been travelling?

    • Are you travelling with your own vehicle or public transport?

    • Where is your next destination?

    • How many days are you planning to stay?

    • Have you been adopted by a host before?

    • Would you be able to provide past Adoption references?

  4. Clearly Discuss the Arrangement of the Adoption

    Always clarify the terms and conditions of the adoption with your potential adoptee. In rare instances, things don‘t work out as planned because the expectations of either party weren‘t met due to a lack of communication.

    This specifically relates but not limited to:

    • Duration of the Adoption.

    • Accommodation arrangements.

    • Number of hours of work-exchange per day.

    • Hourly rate of salary (if applicable).

    • Full-time, part time or casual work (superannuation contributions).

    • Special working conditions.

Booking an Adoption

  1. Book an Adoption Through the Messaging System

    Booking an adoption is as easy as one, two, three via our customized booking system located within the chat functionality. Using our booking system allows you to keep track of past adoptions and record all your upcoming adoptions in your personalized “My Adoptions” menu.

    Keeping a record of all your adoptions makes it easier for our “Help and Support” team to track your most recent activities on our website and enables us to easily identify other members you have been in contact with in case of an emergency.

  2. Let Your Family and/or Friends Know About the Adoption

    Adopting and welcoming a stranger into our home tests our capacity to trust others. But always keep in mind that we do not live in a perfect world and some risks are always present.

    Always let your family or trusted friends know about the adoption. Providing them with important information like WHO you are adopting and for HOW LONG they are staying with you is a smart move.

    We encourage all our hosts to ask for a copy of your adoptee’s identification like a Drivers License, Passport or any Government Issued ID.

  3. Solo Female Hosts are Encouraged to Adopt a Female Backpacker/Traveller.

    This is general advice only and a matter of preference. If you are a solo female host, you may have to give more consideration as to WHO and for HOW LONG you are adopting someone.

During the Adoption

  1. Save Emergency Numbers on Speed Dials

    Always save important emergency numbers on your phone. Police, park rangers, sheriff’s, family and trusted friends are all options when you may need assistance. Be sure to update these numbers according to the country you are in and the area code prefix for each country.

    When creating your profile for Abroadly, be sure to fill out your emergency contact details so we can help assist where possible.

  2. Get to Know Your Adoptee

    Upon meeting your adoptee personally, spend some time getting to know them. Initiate a good conversation and ask questions. Communicate clearly and clarify relevant information to prevent misunderstanding between you and your adoptee.

    Do you feel comfortable with them? Is everything what you have expected? Are they who they say they are in their profiles? Initial conversation can tell you a lot about a person.

  3. Review and Discuss Terms and Conditions of Adoption

    Once you are acquainted and comfortable talking with your new adoptee, take this opportunity to discuss and clarify the terms and conditions of the adoption or work exchange.

    Most of the problems/issues commonly encountered between the host and adoptee are miscommunication and misunderstanding. Be sure to ask questions about anything that is unclear.

    Any arrangement you make is entirely between you and the adoptee. Abroadly just posts the listings and facilitates initial contact between the host and adoptee. Please review our terms and conditions.

  4. Be Kind, Polite and Respectful

    Be welcoming and make your adoptee feel at home. Offer them a glass of water, a beer or a glass of wine. Take time to show them around the house and/or property. Carefully explain any special house rules that you want them to respect and follow.

    Share some useful tips around your neighborhood and must see places in your area. Backpackers/travellers are really keen on these topics and would further initiate good connections between you and your new friend.

  5. If You Feel Uncomfortable

    If anything makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, address the situation right away and see if you can find a solution. If you cannot find a solution, you always have the right to end the adoption for whatever reason. Clearly state your boundaries and give a clear notice to your adoptee to find a new place.

  6. Cancelling Adoption Arrangement

    If it doesn’t feel right, politely raise your concern or issues. You can cancel or end the adoption at any time.

  7. Trust Your Instinct

    In any situation where you feel unsafe, threatened or in imminent danger or harm, remove yourself from the situation right away. Leave immediately!

    Contact the local authorities such as police, ambulance or any emergency services along with family and friends as soon as it is safe to do so.

After an Adoption Has Concluded

  1. Review/Star Ratings

    Use the “Review & Star Rating” system to let other members know about your adoption experience. Make your review honest and truthful to ensure reviews are relevant and fair.

    Abroadly is built on trust between members to help build the safest and most trusted community possible. Reporting safety concerns to our safety team helps keep other members safe.

  2. Report Negative Experiences

    We encourage all users to report negative experiences or safety concerns. If you feel there has been abuse of trust or misconduct on the behalf of either party, report the incident immediately to our safety team for appropriate intervention on our behalf. You can also do this by clicking the report button on the user's profile.

    Additionally, if you have identified anyone on Abroadly that might be suspicious, please contact our safety team immediately. All reports are strictly private and confidential.