Safety for Your Student Studying Abroad

If your student wants to study abroad, you will naturally worry.  But accidents, disasters, and unforeseen events can occur anywhere at any time, even at home. We’d like to suggest a few things to think about, and to discuss with your student, as you and she plan her study abroad experience. 

Safety is of primary concern for everyone – including colleges

No college or study abroad program wants to take any risks with your college student.  In some cases, insuring safety may incur significant costs to the college as they attempt to reach and evacuate students in a crisis.  Some colleges may need to consider carefully whether they can afford the costs of such a program and may limit the places that they allow students to study.

Some colleges may restrict travel to certain countries and others may be more flexible. Recently, more students are requesting to travel to more non-traditional, non-European destinations.  Some countries may be included on the U.S. State Department travel warnings, a list that currently includes 35 countries. 

Not every student should study abroad, and not every country is a good destination.  Many colleges have a committee that will look carefully at Study Abroad programs and consider carefully whether individual students may participate.

Help your student get ready

There are many things that your student needs to do to prepare to study abroad.  Specifically, however, there are things that you and your student can do to increase his safety.

• Look carefully at the program that your student is considering.  Many colleges use outside programs to sponsor study abroad students.  Is the program run by a different institution, an independent program, or a company under contract?  What preparation, experience, or training do the program sponsors have?
• Are there clearly articulated policies and procedures for emergencies?
• If an emergency should occur, who will be in control?  Whose protocols will be followed?
• What resources will be available to respond to unexpected situations?
• Consider carefully whether you believe that your student is ready for the experience of living and studying abroad.  Many students benefit tremendously from the experience, but some students may not be ready. 
• Suggest that your student visit the U.S. State Department’s website dedicated to student travelers.  They offer many helpful suggestions, cautions, and advice.
• Have your student enroll in the State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) prior to leaving.  This will allow her to receive updates and facilitate contact in an emergency.
• Talk to your student before he embarks about following advice and leaving the country during an emergency.  Remind your student that he may not be in the best position to determine whether he should stay or go.  Insist that he agree to follow the directions of the authorities in an emergency.

If a crisis happens

Most students who study abroad encounter many adventures and unexpected events, but no natural or political disasters.  They return home safely – and wiser.  As parents, we breathe a sigh of relief.

However, if a crisis should occur, parents will obviously be desperate for information.  First of all, remember the conversations you had with your student and trust that she is prepared and will do all that she can to remain safe. 

In case of emergency, the U.S. State Department website will be the primary tool for disseminating information.  They may also use their Facebook page and Twitter to provide updated information.  The State Department will also use registered e-mail addresses provided through the STEP program to contact family members.

Another source of communication is the American Red Cross Safe and Well program.  In case of an emergency, students can leave a “safe and well” message for family members if they have access either to internet, phone or to a Red Cross volunteer.

There are commercial services available for which families can register.  Organizations such as International SOS or On Call International, provide services in case of emergency.  They also provide dedicated websites for updates.

If a crisis happens while your student is abroad, you will, of course, worry.  No amount of planning and preparation will reassure you while you wait to hear that your student is safe.  Take advantage of communication services provided by the student’s program, the Red Cross, and/or the U.S. State Department, and even, perhaps, from your student.  Even the U.S. government understands that students do not always remember that although they are safe, we, as parents need to hear from them.  On the State Department’s website for students, their final piece of advice in an emergency is, “Of course, if you’re OK, you might want to call your folks to let them know.”

(Photo: KSULib)