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Health and Safety
With the right planning, most trips abroad are successful. There are, of course, unpredictable events and situations, but being prepared for when the emergency strikes can greatly affect how one approaches and deals with it. The information presented here aims to help you prepare for the challenges and wonders of travel.
The Faculty Guide to short term programs (Section B) offers information about health and safety. But here are a few additional things to be mindful of:
- Register yourself and/or the group with the in-country US Embassy. In most countries, this can be done online. In case of a natural or political emergency, the US Embassy staff will know your group is in the country and therefore, they can more quickly assist you.
- If a student in your group holds a non-US citizenship, encourage the student to register with his or her embassy.
- Always make sure someone knows where your next travel destination is.
- Always make sure to carry a list of all the students participating on your block abroad with you, as well as their emergency contact information. Some faculty have found it helpful to compile a one-page sheet with all of this information.
- According to professional safety experts, the most common reason for petty theft and personal assault is due to a person not being aware of his or her surrounding. A good advice to students is to stay alert and be aware to what's going on around you. That could also mean, "Don't run with an iPod unless you are very familiar with the area."
- Remind students that when abroad, they are subject to local rules and laws.
- Establish a student code of conduct which addresses behavior, health and safety guidelines. Some faculty requires the students sign the document.
- Having host national connections when an emergency happens can be a most valuable asset that can help you and the group make a swift change of location, if necessary.
- Contact CC as soon as possible after an emergency occurs. We are here to support you.
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