Staying safe on study abroad

     Whether it’s studying Hispanoamerican Literature in Guadalajara, Mexico or Art Appreciation in Montepulciano, Italy, GCSU students will be traveling overseas this summer with the Study Abroad program.
     Just under 300 students will be journeying to not only Mexico and Italy but France, the U.K., Australia, Ghana, Russia, Germany, Greece, Spain and the list goes on.
     While scheduled departures draw near, few students think about the possible dangers they could face while on their travels, but Study Abroad advisor Liz Havey sees to it that they do.
     “For the most part traveling abroad encounters similar risks that one encounters here in the United States with a location you’re not familiar with,” Havey said.
     Getting lost, falling victim to pickpockets or petty theft seem to be the biggest threat of traveling abroad, but Havey and the rest of the Study Abroad staff do a lot to ensure a safe trip for all students.
     Every student planning to study abroad must attend a two hour orientation about health and safety while traveling.
     “In a general session we talk about ways to protect yourself against theft and things of that nature,” Havey said. “Keeping an eye out for their belongings, especially their money and their passport, are of high priority.”
     Besides the two hour orientation, the program offers many sources of safety information for students.    
     “In the three years that I’ve been here, we’ve been very fortunate to not have any major issues,” Havey smiles and knocks on wood.
     GCSU faculty does a lot of research to ensure that a site is completely safe before students are even able to register.
     “Typically, faculty members choose a location because they have vast experience there already. They’ll go on a site visit to identify basic things like accommodations but also to identify health care facilities with English speaking doctors and the location of the local Embassy,” said Havey. “All of this information is compiled into a proposal that the faculty member submits to our office which is then shared with our university lawyer and our business office.”
     Havey says that the school will not send students anywhere deemed unsafe like Kenya, a long standing program that was recently moved because of the current political situation there.
     “We stay abreast of current political, economic and environmental issues to make sure that we can provide the safest program possible for our students,” Havey said. “There are always risks involved that we can’t control, but we do everything in our power to ensure a safe and happy experience.”

The Study Abroad website suggests the following tips:
 
1. When staying in a foreign country and not as part of a group, it is a good idea to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy.
2. Should an emergency occur while you are on study abroad, contact your in-country study abroad program director, who will manage the situation.
3. When traveling remember that customs and communication styles differ across the world. As such, be aware of the image you present.
4. Never travel with large amounts of cash, instead travel with credit or debit cards, as they are insured and replacable. 
5. Be sure to keep copies of your passport, visa and other identification in a safe place.
6. If you take prescription medications, be sure to bring enough refills for the duration of your stay, as well as a handwritten prescription.
7. Keep ALL prescriptions in the original container. You may be required to dispose of them by airport security.
8. If you wear contact lenses or glasses, bring a spare pair, as well as a replacement prescription.
9. If you have any chronic conditions you should contact your doctor before departing.
10. Prepare a simple First Aid kit that includes over-the-counter medications, e.g., antiseptic cream, pain relievers, upset stomach/diarrhea medication, etc.
11. To prevent illness from the physical shock of changing environment, drink plenty of fluids.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 25 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry