Safety and Security Abroad
International Programs is dedicated to maintaining the personal safety and security for each of our study abroad participants. Our office takes necessary precautions, remains in close contact with our overseas partners, and will work with them in case of an emergency. We encourage you to contact us if you are concerned about your student's safety or welfare. We assure you we are working hard to assist your student to stay safe. Listed below are a variety of resources that we monitor regularly and that are open to the public:
1. State Department resources. The U.S. government provides accurate and timely information for overseas travelers on their website. You may find information about emergencies, country info, visas, passports, living abroad, and other topics.
2. Consular Information Sheets. Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world and are given to all study abroad participants prior to departure. They include such information as location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, Public Announcements, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security." Consular Information Sheets generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.
3. Public Announcements. Public Announcements are a means to disseminate information about threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. They are made any time there is a perceived threat and usually have Americans as a particular target group. In the past, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with demonstrations, conferences, and violence by terrorists.
4. Travel Warnings. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country.
In addition, your student should be aware of the following safety-related issues:
· Participants may want to consider having insurance to cover damage or theft of personal property, which they take with them abroad. Although occurrences are rare, students have encountered personal property loss due to a fire or other incident in the local residence overseas. Insurance company policies vary widely on the circumstances and amount of coverage for personal property abroad. In some instances, a homeowner's policy or the student's own renter's insurance policy is enough to provide limited coverage. In other cases, a special policy must be purchased. Check with your insurance company, or contact any insurance company that provides home or renter's insurance to learn more about the extent of coverage possible for personal property that your student will take with abroad.
· International Programs study abroad participants who are US citizens must register with the nearest U.S. Embassy as soon as possible after arrival in their host country. Citizens of other countries should register at their own country's Embassy. Registering will aid students if an emergency occurs in the country in which they are studying or if they lose their passport.
· The International Programs staff monitors the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements and Travel Warnings and will contact participants any time there is an update. Students should always check their e-mail, as it is our only way of easily contacting them. Also, students should keep in touch with the staff at their host university. You and your student may also check the U.S. Department of State.
· Before students travel to a country outside the host study abroad country, they should make sure to know the safety conditions of the country they will travel to or through.
Most large cities as well as remote areas, in the U.S. and abroad, suffer from common crimes. Students should use the same precautions abroad that they would in any large metropolitan area. The following are some general safety precautions we give to students:
· Know where you are going. Do your homework before traveling: read guidebooks, look at maps, check with local staff, etc.
· Leave expensive or expensive-looking jewelry at home.
· Do not carry valuables, even in a backpack or locked luggage. If you must carry a laptop, camera, radio, etc. don't leave them unattended.
· Do not flaunt wallets, purses, cell phones or cameras. Wear a money belt, concealed under your clothing.
· Put valuables in the hotel safe, lock them in your suitcase or ask your local contact about storing valuables while at the program site (when possible).
· Avoid unlit places and walking alone. Stick to well-traveled streets and walk in groups at night. Be especially cautious when you are new to a city and know little about what parts of town may be less safe.
Personal Safety for Female Travelers
A female student may or may not have thought about what it might mean to live as a woman in the country in which she will be studying abroad, but we encourage each one to do so. While it is impossible to generalize about the experience of women traveling in all places in the world, they may experience some gender-specific challenges when living or traveling abroad. This is not to say that it is more dangerous to be a woman in countries other than the US. In fact, the incidence of violent crime against women is higher in the U.S. than in many other countries. Language and cultural differences however might mean that what a woman considers appropriate behavior in the U.S. will be interpreted much differently by the men-- and women--of her host country. This is further compounded by the fact that the people in some other countries may have distorted or stereotyped notions about American women, based on images acquired through American films and advertising. The very characteristics of U.S. women such as independence and strength may be perceived differently in other countries.
A smile, eye contact, certain clothing, or the way a woman carries herself can connote different things in different cultures. While we will supply your female student with what information we can, she is her own best resource. She should read travel guides or articles and talk to women who have been to the host country. The more familiar she is with the customs and traditions of the host country, the more understanding she will have for why they exist and the safer she will feel while abroad.
Some safety suggestions women on past programs have made include:
· Take a self-defense class before leaving the U.S. to increase your confidence and teach you important skills.
· Follow the example of women from your host country, in terms of culturally appropriate dress and demeanor.
· Trust your instincts. If you do not feel safe in a situation or someone's behavior is making you uncomfortable, get out of the situation immediately.
· Travel in groups of at least two, especially when you are unfamiliar with a city or town.
· Lock hotel rooms when traveling. Do not stay in hotels without adequate locks. It is not worth the savings to put yourself at risk.
· Walk with purpose and avoid eye contact with strangers.
· Firmly say "no" to any invitation you do not want and turn away. Ignore persistent overtures.
· Do not drink alcohol in excess.
Safety Precautions for Times of Political/Social Unrest or Conflict
In times of political or social unrest in the host country or region, or when the United States becomes a party to a political conflict anywhere in the world, additional precautions are advisable. This is a list of precautions we give to our study abroad participants:
· Keep in touch with the current political situations by listening daily to the television or radio if available. If this is not possible, ask friends, host family, and colleagues to share with you any relevant information they learn. In case of an emergency, advisories may be made to the general public through the media. In case of an emergency, remain in contact with the on-site staff.
· Make sure that you are registered with the closest U.S. (or your country of citizenship) Embassy or Consulate. (It is required!)
· When in large cities and other popular tourist destinations, avoid places frequented by North Americans: bars, discos, and fast food restaurants associated with the US., branches of US banks, American churches, US businesses and offices, US Consulates or Embassies.
· Keep away from areas known to have large concentrations of residents aligned with interests unfriendly to the United States and its allies. Always consult with the on-site officials before undertaking travel to neighboring cities or popular tourist destinations.
· Be as inconspicuous in dress and demeanor as possible. Wear moderate colors and conservative clothing. Avoid American logos on your belongings and clothing. Avoid large loud groups.
· Keep away from political demonstrations, particularly those directed toward the United Sates. If you see a situation developing, resist the temptation to satisfy your curiosity and investigate what is happening. Walk the other way.
· Do not agree to newspaper or other media interviews regarding political conflicts. It is important to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Do not make reference to your program group. In such cases, always say "no comment" and hang up or walk the other way.
Please refer to our program specific information or the host university for more detailed information on health and safety issues as they pertain to your student's particular program and destination.
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