TOP TEN HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES HOME FOR MORE HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION, SEE THE STUDY ABROAD Handbook. 10. Be Informed About the Country, City and Safety Issues Abroad : Orientation materials and country guides can help you better understand the countries and cities in which you will be studying and traveling. Review information from the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other sources. Know where you’re going; know what to do and not do once you get there. NOTE: Students may want to consider how current world events like war, political instability, terrorism and disease outbreaks (like SARS) may affect their ability to interact with locals or to travel to certain regions. 9. Avoid High-Risk Activities : Certain activities like: bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, shark diving adventures, etc. can put you into danger. These activities may not be covered by insurance. If you choose to participate in such activities, make sure that you have adequate medical support and that your insurance plan does cover such high-risk activities. NOTE: Students should use common sense and avoid participating in high-risk activities, especially while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. 8. Be Prepared to Respond to Emergencies : The more prepared you are for emergencies the better able you will be to respond. Where will you get help in case of an emergency? What will you do if you are a victim of a crime or are injured? What if someone else needs help? How will you get help to leave a country? NOTE: The state of the world at present is a good reminder that acts of violence and terrorism, as well as natural disasters, are usually surprises. Therefore, students need to prepare for emergencies before they occur by stocking first-aid kits, drafting a personal emergency evacuation plan, and carrying emergency identification and contact information at all times. 7. Avoid Crime and Violence, Including Sexual Harassment and Assault : Be aware of the safe and unsafe areas where you are living and traveling. Use the same safety skills you use in the United States while abroad: don’t travel or go out alone (buddy system), don’t go into "unsafe" neighborhoods, be more careful at night, etc. Be aware of stereotypes of U.S. men and women, and of certain racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Also be aware of stigmas surrounding sexual orientation and practices, and understand local verbal and non-verbal communication. NOTE: Due to current world events, Americans abroad may be at an increased risk of harm as a result of heightened anti-American sentiment. As a result, American students studying abroad should try to minimize their "Americanness" in dress and behavior. 6. Make Sure Your Mode of Transportation is Safe : Whether you are arranging your own transportation or you are being led by your program provider, look closely at what the safest type of transportation is for where you’re going, what routes you’re taking, and at what time you’re traveling. NOTE: Students should inquire as to which forms of public transportation should be avoided altogether in regions with SARS outbreaks, or in times of war. Being physically or mentally impaired due to the effects of drugs or alcohol can compromise good judgment regarding transportation safety abroad. 5. The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs Can Hurt You : Although you may be legally allowed to drink alcohol at a younger age abroad, its use and abuse is many times tied to being a victim of crime, violence, accident and injury. Drug use abroad can result in severe consequences. In many countries, students should plan on being treated as guilty (in jail) until proven innocent of alcohol and drug-related incidents. NOTE: During times of instability like war or disease outbreaks, students should be aware of stricter law enforcement and cautioned that being physically or mentally impaired abroad due to the effects of drugs and alcohol puts them at much higher risk for accident, injury, incarceration, and death. 4. Be Able to Communicate at All Times : Methods of communication for you and those that are trying to find you are: cellular phone, regular phone, e-mail, fax, PDA, and for those of you in remote locations, see if there’s a satellite phone available. NOTE: Students should be advised that the ability to communicate with family, friends, insurance/24-hour emergency assistance company, and study abroad administrators both at home and abroad remains one of the most critical aspects related to study abroad. Students may want to develop an emergency communication plan, especially in the event of a crisis like a natural disaster, act of terrorism, war, or disease outbreak. 3. Take Care of Your Physical, Dental and Mental Health : Prior to going abroad, get a physical and complete any foreseeable dental work, and consider your psychological stability. Be prepared for the physical and mental challenges abroad. When you get abroad, find suitable care/support facilities. NOTE: As current world events may have a greater physical and mental affect on study abroad students in certain regions, all study abroad students should consider how such world events might compromise their ability to interact with locals, right to travel to certain areas, and access to medical care. Given the recent outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) worldwide, it is more important than ever to maintain a good hygiene regimen. 2. Have Adequate Insurance and 24 Hour Emergency Assistance : Types of insurance to consider purchasing include major medical (in the United States and abroad), emergency assistance, repatriation, travel, kidnapping and ransom. NOTE: With the current world tensions and health challenges, ask whether or not your insurance policy covers SARS, kidnapping and ransom support, high risk activities. Also make sure it provides you with access to emergency support services and adequate health care abroad. 1. Choose a Quality Program Provider : The study abroad field is not regulated to provide students and parents with a list of approved programs. You need to carefully pick a quality study abroad provider in terms of both academics and student services. Along with costs and courses, find out about the safety problems faced by former student participants. NOTE: Due to current world events, it becomes more crucial than ever to thoroughly research and carefully choose a study abroad program provider with an excellent safety record and a clear emergency action plan.