Although it's fun to travel in a foreign country, many things can unexpectedly go wrong. Losing a passport or luggage, being pickpocketed, becoming ill, having an accident, or facing governmental instability in the country you're visiting can all be quite stressful even if you know which procedures to follow. If you're visiting abroad for the first time, are young and inexperienced, or are not a take-charge person, getting stranded in a foreign country can be unsettling and scary; here are some hints on coping with that situation.
There are certain things that everyone can do before leaving for a foreign country that will alleviate many problems that could occur later. Taking along a certified copy of your birth certificate, a couple of duplicates of your passport photo, and a copy of the identification page of your passport or your passport number are things that everyone should do. If you are traveling with a group, giving an extra copy of those things to someone else in the group would be wise also, as would leaving a copy with someone at home if you're traveling alone.
Losing your passport or having it stolen is a serious problem if you're in a foreign country since you'll not be able to leave without it. You have to have a passport to travel, to check into a hotel, to change money, etc. so you'll be stuck in that country until you get the passport replaced. Your passport can be replaced at a US embassy or consulate in the country in which you're stranded. The embassies are located in major cities, and the consulates are like "junior embassies" and are found in other cities around the globe. Their employees are either American citizens or nationals of that country, and they represent the US government and have many resources with which to help you.
If you have been the victim of a theft and have lost everything, such as all of your luggage, money, passport, credit cards, and more, the passport should be the first thing you see about. It's a very good idea to carry a copy of your credit cards too, especially the numbers and the phone numbers to call if something happens to the cards. If you're stranded with no funds and no passport, the embassy can help you get back on your feet. Ask around for the location of the embassy and go there in person; there are also 24-hour emergency phone numbers for the US State Department in the local phone books and posted at the airports in case something happens for which you need assistance when the embassy is closed. If you see two lines of people waiting outside the embassy, inquire as to which is for US citizens; the longer line is probably for citizens of the country in which you're stranded to apply for visas.
Once inside the embassy, you can explain your situation to the personnel. If you've lost your passport, a temporary one good for a few months can be issued to you; if you have all your information and photos the process is faster. You will have to pay for the new passport so if you don't have any money, the embassy employees will assist you in reaching family members or friends back home. They can wire money to you, either to the embassy (for a $30 charge) or to an American Express or Western Union office; however, you'll have to have a passport to collect money from AMEX or Western Union so that might not be an option if you need money for a passport. You can also have someone in the US wire money from a US bank to a foreign bank.
If illness or an accident has stranded you in a foreign country, the embassy or consulate can help you with getting into a hospital, finding an English-speaking doctor, explaining charges or payments to you, and generally making you feel better informed about your situation. The embassy and consulate employees are there to help Americans who have problems in that country, whether there are legal troubles, medical problems, or other things that need attention. Many legal problems can be avoided by making yourself aware of and following the laws of that country; don't assume that US laws apply to you outside of the US, because they don't, and the old "ignorance of the law is no excuse" cliché certainly applies everywhere. Using illegal drugs, driving recklessly, and not using good judgment can get visitors in serious trouble in any foreign country, and although the embassy can translate for you with the police and assist you if you're in jail, you're still subject to the laws of that country and getting you out is definitely not a given.
While many Americans think of being robbed as a violent crime, in many other parts of the world it's a very silent event; you may have all your possessions stolen and not even realize it until it's too late. Pickpockets are present in many tourist spots, and most are highly experienced and very good at their trade. Wearing a money belt or necklace-type passport holder INSIDE your clothing is a good idea; a fanny pack worn on the outside can be unzipped and looted by a pickpocket very easily and you won't even know it. Carrying at least one or two changes of your clothes and toiletries in a carryon bag is also wise; suitcases are lost by airlines sometimes and stolen from train stations or when put down by tourists frequently. It should be obvious that valuables, passports, money, etc. should not be put into luggage, and expensive jewelry is best left at home.
If you are stranded totally broke and don't have anyone back home who can wire you some money, the state department will, on occasion, lend you some money to get a new passport or get you back home. This is called a "repatriation loan" and its availability depends on how much money the state department has for this situation at the time you request it. Some credit card companies will also wire you money, bring a new card within 24 hours to your hotel, or otherwise help you; most are very willing to help you if you're a valued customer. If you have friends in the country in which you're stranded, they may be willing to help you navigate through problems, aid with translation, or lend you money; it's always a help to have friends in many places.
