SUMMER-ABROAD.UCDAVIS.EDU May 13, 2008 02:40 PM
Student safety is paramount. While no one can guarantee safety, the EAC has several health and safety measures in place. The Education Abroad Center staff monitors current international political, social, and economic conditions and events in program locations. When planning programs and activities, our staff takes precautions in light of this information so that participants have the safest possible experience abroad. In addition, faculty and staff at the program site are available to oversee student safety and to support students who need medical assistance while abroad.
We encourage students and parents to familiarize themselves with-and maintain an awareness of-the political, social, and economic climate of their host country before departure and during participation. The Education Abroad Center Web site provides students and parents with important links related to health and safety while studying abroad, such as the Traveler's Health information available from the Center for Disease Control and U.S. Department of State's Travel Safety Information for Students (www.travel.state.gov).
Prior to departure, students receive health and safety information about their program site. In addition, all students receive travel/accident insurance, which is included in the program cost. Our staff also provides students with the information needed to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their host country.
The Summer Abroad Student Handbook (SASH) provides important health and safety information for students. All students are required to read the SASH as part of the application process.
The Safety Handbook provides resources and preparation tips for students considering studying abroad and parents trying to help them. The Handbook should help you ask the right questions and find helpful resources for international study abroad travel.
Safe Trip Abroad provides tips from the U.S. Department of State to help students avoid serious difficulties during their overseas travel.
Food Info Net offers free dictionaries for people with a food allergy or intolerance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides health information, including information on inoculations required for visiting a specific country. Please check the CDC Web site for immunization requirements for your child's program.
Consular Information Sheets
These country-specific consular information sheets contain general information about safety and security, crime, medical facilities, traffic safety, and disaster preparedness in each country, as well as details about specific issues of concern.
Road Safety Overseas
The majority of road crash victims (injuries and fatalities) in developing countries are not the motor vehicle occupants, but pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and non-motor vehicle (NMV) occupants. U.S. citizens are urged to review the Road Safety Overseas segment of the Department of State website.
U.S. Embassies Abroad
Most U.S. embassies abroad post information on their Web sites about local safety and health issues for U.S. citizens. Students can access the websites for all U.S. embassies abroad at this website.
Online Travel Registration
All students abroad are strongly encouraged to visit the U.S. embassy's or consulate's website to add their names, addresses, and phone numbers to the embassy's online travel registration to receive e-mail notifications with the latest travel warnings, security information, and general announcements from the U.S. Embassy. These messages may have a direct impact on students' safety and security. For the latest security information, students traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's Web site where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, travel warnings and public announcements can be found.
U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings/Public Announcements
The U.S. Department of State issues Travel Warnings when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. Public Announcements are to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats to Americans. Parents and students can register to automatically receive, via email, updates on Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets that are issued by the U.S. Department of State. To register, click on "Travel Info" on the top of the following webpage: https://travelregistration.state.gov
Additional Health, Safety and Security Abroad Resources