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Kansas State University

Safety Issues

 

Participation in a study abroad program may involve risks not found with study at Kansas State University. In part, this is because travel to, from and within a foreign country involves risks.

Many of the health and safety problems students find abroad are similar to those they find on U.S. university campuses. When students do not prepare themselves properly, ignore the advice of campus and overseas personnel, or act naively or as if they are invulnerable, they can get into trouble. This is especially true when they engage in dangerous social behavior, such as binge drinking or hanging out in unsavory local nightspots. It is much less likely that a study abroad student will be the victim of a natural catastrophe, social violence, or disease than be victimized by his or her own poor judgment.

There are health and safety risks that could arise on a study abroad program which are not the direct responsibility of the students themselves. While it is never possible to completely eliminate risks, there are ways to minimize potential dangers. The study abroad handbook, given to students during orientation, outlines precautions students can take to help protect themselves from theft, political unrest, and other potential risks. There are many variations between countries, regions and problems, and in order to meet the challenges specific to particular programs and locations, it is important for students to learn from information provided by the program sponsors. 

Rest assured that established overseas study programs fully recognize the responsibility to provide a secure and safe environment. Program administrators frequently conduct evaluations of program safety, and in those few locations where remote danger might exist, program directors work with local police, U.S. consular personnel, and local university officials to set up whatever practical security measures are deemed prudent. Protecting the student’s well-being is a top priority in study abroad programs.

SAFETY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Safety and Security

Travel safety starts with careful reading of the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories before you leave the country. These are available on the Web at U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings Website. The Department of State’s Consular Information sheets are also available for every country of the world. They describe unusual entry, currency regulations or unusual health conditions, crime and security situations, political disturbances, areas of instability, special information about driving and road conditions and drug penalties. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates.  In general, the sheets do not give advice. Instead, they describe conditions so travelers can make informed decisions about their trips.

Another important website that a traveler should visit before they leave the country is The Center for Global Education’s Study Abroad Safety Handbook found at: http://www.studentsabroad.com.   This website provides country specific information about healthy and safety and gives advice about proper behavior and “fitting in.”  In addition, this site has information sheets and important phrases that could help you in an emergency. 

Remember that in other countries, actions can be interpreted differently than at home.  For example, looking someone directly in the eyes or accepting a drink in a bar could mean something different than what you think it does. Obviously looking like a tourist in a train station, showing a lot of money when you pay for something, leaving an expensive camera out in the open—these kinds of things can attract negative attention.  This is especially true for women.  In many places women are not treated as equals to men, and there are different social rules for their behavior.  Be careful not to send signals you don't mean to send!

You may also want to look at information provided by your host country.  Some useful information is found at:

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - http://www.dfat.gov.au/

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau - http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp

United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office - http://www.fco.gov.uk/

Local Laws and Customs

When you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country where you are. Therefore, before you go, try to learn as much as you can about the laws and customs of your host country. Good resources are your library, embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries, including drug and firearm possession. Be aware of what is considered criminal in the country where you are!

Precautions to take

See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html for travel alerts from the U.S. government. 

The U.S. Department of State has put together a list of tips for students studying or traveling abroad. This includes a discussion of safety issues. See http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/studying/studying_1238.html