Dear Kiss & Zutell:
My daughter is a college sophomore and is already talking about studying overseas. With the Amanda Knox case (acquittal notwithstanding) my husband and I are not enthusiastic about the idea. However, she's a very determined girl and while we don't want to stifle her dreams, we do want her closer to home - in the USA.
Signed, Homebody
Dear HB—
While the Amanda Knox case was an anomaly among foreign studies programs, her entanglement in an overseas legal system was not, and should give pause to the starry-eyed fools who believe we are "one world." Clearly, we are not.
All of us have had the displeasure of trying to fight a traffic ticket. Imagine wrestling "the system" when the stakes are your very life. Way too many Americans get their impressions of the legal system from television, where defense attorneys are invariably good-looking, altruistic and victorious. In fact, judicial systems - American and foreign - are never blind. They are staffed by sighted, emotional, ambitious people - typical humans - not one of whom possesses the ability to hold "an objective opinion." There are only subjective opinions. And that is why some murderers run free and some innocent people rot in prison.
All kids considering foreign study should be required to view two movies: Midnight Express and Return to Paradise. Those should convince them to be mindful of their surroundings, associates and the consequences of seemingly trivial actions. If your daughter still insists on studying abroad, let her, but I guarantee she'll be more careful after viewing these films.
Here's another consideration - as the old bromide says, the worst time to look for an attorney is when you need one. While getting her situated in her new country, make contact with a respected local lawyer so that she'll have immediate representation if needed. Amanda Knox would have saved 4 years in jail had she had access to instant counsel.
If you're still uncomfortable with the idea, you could try to persuade her to remain stateside with some other inducement, perhaps 4-wheeled or covered with LV logos or whatnot.
I spent a semester in England and the experience was wonderful. I suppose the farther she ventures from western culture, the riskier the endeavor.
Good luck,