SEXUAL ADVENTURES AND MISADVENTURES

And now some words about sex and the single student.

• We hope that you take our suggestions seriously and that you stay out of the way of street creeps, con artists, petty thieves, and potential terrorists. At the same time it is essential for you to realize that the most dangerous creature, at home and abroad, is a microbe. The sexually transmitted HIV virus, is the harbinger of AIDS, and despite recent medical breakthroughs, AIDS remains a life-changing and potentially lethal illness. Because you are at a point in your life when sex is likely to loom large, you need especially to take this threat into account and conduct yourself in a way that protects you from AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). One absolutely certain way of avoiding trouble of this sort is, of course, to abstain from sexual activity, a strategy that some will find reasonable and others intolerable. Those in the latter category will need then to take the proper precautions, which means the use of a latex condom, preferably one treated with the spermicide nonoxynol-9. "Use a rubber" is advice traditionally given to young men. For women, who are several times more likely than men to contract the HIV virus in heterosexual contact, this advice carries perhaps even more weight. Since one cannot always predict when an interesting romantic situation will arise, it makes sense to carry protection on one's person..
  
  
• Steps taken to protect oneself from the HIV virus also offer protection from other STD's the gallery of which is rather horrifyingly large and varied. (They will also be effective against an unwanted pregnancy.) Again, the surest strategy for staying out of harm's way is to remain celibate. At the other extreme, a pattern of unprotected intercourse with a large number of partners, especially partners whose sexual history is not known--and how really can one ever be sure about another person's sexual history?--is most likely to lead to catastrophic trouble.
  
  
• Space limitations prevent us from even approaching a proper treatment of this topic. For more complete advice about the physiology and sociology of sex in our post-Aquarius age, we suggest that you speak with a physician at the University Health Service or at least take a glance at pamphlets on display there. The booklet A Woman's Guide to the University of Chicago is full of helpful information really for both sexes.

Studying abroad is an adventure, and to make a success of it one must have an adventurous spirit. We do not want, with these comments, to subvert your sense of adventure or to make you fearful. Clearly an exaggerated fearfulness has no place in ventures where the challenge is to understand and, in time, feel comfortable in an overseas culture. So while we ask you to be cautious, to have a care, to trust your instincts, we also want you to be open to new experiences and to learn. Be open, but be cautious. Learn, but stay safe. With this apparently mixed message we wish you good journey and safe return. Bon voyage! Gute Reise! Buen viaje!