Health and Safety Information for UT Study Abroad
Remember you are ultimately responsible for the choices you
make regarding your safety! Many places abroad are safer than the U.S.,
but your lack of familiarity with the culture, language, people and
locales may put you at higher risk.
Starting Point - U.S. State Department
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 http://travel.state.gov/
or, you can listen to them by calling the Office of Overseas Citizens
Service at (202) 647-5225 .
Find out about entry requirements for the countries you plan to visit
by reading the related link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must call the embassy or consulate
of the country you are planning to visit and check on the requirements
for entry into that country for citizens of your nation. Foreign students
planning to return to the U.S. to study after their study abroad period
is over also need to contact their immigration advisor at UT Austin
before they leave to make sure all paperwork is in order to return to
the U.S.
Remember to register with the U.S. embassy located in the country that you will be in.
This way you will be able to be alerted about emergencies and alerts that would impact you at
any time. Registering also helps the government track you in case there is a need to have you
evacuated.
Body Wise
Good medical insurance, here and abroad, is key. Your
program will more than likely give you lists of providers if you are not covered already.
Do not drop your U.S. health insurance just because you have study abroad
insurance. Remember study abroad insurance only covers you while abroad.
You will need your U.S. insurance for follow-up care or rehabilitation
in case of an accident or illness.
Review the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/.
This site will list some worst case scenarios and warnings regarding
disease threats. For additional health information, the CDC maintains
the International Travelers Hotline at (877) 394-8747. An automated
fax back service is also available at (888) 232-3299.
Visit your doctor or travel clinic to receive advice on inoculations
to prevent diseases affecting travelers. Be aware that you must take
prescriptions for all drugs you carry with you. Prescriptions are extremely
important especially when crossing borders or going through customs
at the airport. Not to mention when you need a refill! In some countries
Ritalin may be a controlled substance. Likewise in some countries you
can go to jail for carrying tranquilizers because they are illegal.
Always carry your International Student Identification Card with you.
Know which health clinics are recommended for illness and where to
go in the case of a serious emergency. Carry those numbers with you
at all times.
Find out about local emergency services and how well they are trusted.
Who Should Know
A backup copy of all of your documents (passport, prescriptions, travelers'
checks, credit cards, I.D. card) should be left
with your designated emergency contact. Another copy should be hidden
inside of your luggage any time you travel.
Ask your parents or designated emergency contact to get a passport,
in case they need to go abroad to help you in an emergency.
Travel Smart
Find a good travel guide for example, Lonely Planet. See samples on
http://www.lonelyplanet.com.
There are many other excellent travel guides available.
If you are planning to travel by road (bus or car) please note that
cheaper is not always better. Don't penny-pinch and put yourself in
danger. It is important to ask the locals about the bus company's record
and road conditions. It is particularly dangerous to be on the road
at night. Even in the U.S. night driving is several times more dangerous
than day driving. Remember that if you are traveling through remote
areas, the infrastructure, speed and availability of help may be extremely
poor. Renting cars and motorbikes can be grounds for dismissal from
many programs.
Prior to leaving your program site for travel, develop an itinerary
and leave it with your program director and with your designated
emergency contact. Inform people of your plans. When making plans, keep
in mind that it is best to save pleasure travel for after you have acclimated
to being in the region and are more fluent in the language.
Always travel with a friend and share a room since hotel/hostel safety
may be an issue in some places. Falling asleep in public spaces inside buses or trains will
also be safer if you have a buddy to take turns being vigilant over
not just possessions but also your person. Be alert to your surroundings
and the people around you.
If you are carrying a laptop, do not call attention to it with a fancy
case. Instead put it inside of your carry-on. Keep in mind that there
might be customs regulations in the U.S. and abroad that apply to computers,
expensive electronic and photographic equipment. It is a good idea to
check with alumni of the program to find out if you really need to take
your laptop. Consider purchasing special insurance for these types of
electronic devices.
Stay Informed
Keep informed of current political situations by listening daily to
the television or radio news. In the case of an emergency, advisories
may be made to the general public through the media. You will still
find yourself with many surprises, such as strikes, that may cause you
to change your plans. Stay out of the political affairs. You can be
deported or worse -- end up arrested or hurt. Unsuspecting tourists
sometimes find themselves in downtown areas during protests. If this
occurs, you should leave the area immediately.
There are several websites for newspapers on line:
http://lanic.utexas.edu (for
Latin America)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/travel/practical/index.html
http://allafrica.com (for Africa)
Departure/Arrival
Schedule your initial flight to arrive in the morning or early afternoon.
Remember that arrival procedures, including customs can take a bit of
time. By arriving early, you will be giving yourself enough time to
find food and accommodations or to get to your final destination before
it gets dark and shops close down for the day.
Do not agree to look after packages or suitcases for anyone. Do not
leave your own bags unattended at any time.
Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate upon arrival if you did not do so before departure.
They will require a copy of your passport. This will be handy if you
lose it because they will already have the basic information or if they
need to contact you to alert you to potential problems.
Carry at least $200 cash with you to take care of unexpected arrival
expenses, such as taxes or fees and/or other incidental expenses. You
can change some money before you leave at any major bank or use the
airport money exchange. Keep your money, passport, traveler's checks
and all other important documents close to your person. Never leave
them in your suitcase or carry-on. It is a good idea to use a neck pouch for your
passport, some cash and credit cards and some kind of money belt or
bag you can put under your clothing for extra cash and valuables.
Stepping Off The Plane
Get yourself some water or better yet -- always carry bottled water
with you, and get a bite to eat. This will help ease your mind and body
of the culture shock.
Remember this is the time to calm down and not get frazzled. Pay attention
to the location of your passport and visa documents. Put them away in
your neck pouch right away after going through customs and immigration.
Get the address of your destination before you leave the U.S., just
in case your contact person doesn't meet you at the airport. This is
also where local currency can be extremely helpful. A taxi may cost
you more than it should, but this is to be expected in a foreign country
where you haven't yet learned the "rules". Make sure you get a taxi
or van service from the official airport fleet. Often there are booths
that sell passes. If uncertain, check with airport information desk
attendant.
Airports, bus and train stations are notorious for pickpockets and
scam artists. Be alert, be firm.
Do not agree to carry things for others especially through border
areas as it may be contraband. Be prepared to pay for visas and other
fees. Look your best when going through customs and passport check points.
Make sure you are not carrying anything considered illegal in the countries
you are visiting. Check the customs regulations for the country prior
to departure by contacting the appropriate consulate or embassy. Many
travel guides list this information as well. Likewise, read all posted
signs at the border crossings. Some border crossings require proof of
vaccinations, which may not be a requirement when travelling by plane.
In the Classroom
Living in a foreign culture can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be quite unsettling at times. Certain cultural mores and what is considered acceptable behavior can be confusing to the uninitiated, and that is common. However, cultural sensitivity does not take precedence over notions of decency and appropriate behavior. To that end, if you believe that you have been dealt with in an inappropriate manner, either sexually or otherwise, particularly in the classroom setting, you are to report any such behavior immediately to your Study Abroad Advisor.
Street Smarts
Learn what women and men do in the culture to protect themselves.
Female travelers are sometimes more likely to encounter harassment.
Uncomfortable situations can often be avoided by taking the following
precautions. Dress conservatively. Although short skirts, shorts and
tank tops may be comfortable, they may also encourage unwanted attention.
Avoid walking alone at night or in questionable neighborhoods. Do not
agree to meet a person whom you do not know in a secluded place. Be
aware that some men from other countries tend to mistake the friendliness
of American women for romantic interest. Unfortunately, there is also
the stereotype that American woman are "easy."
Body language may be interpreted completely different, find out what
you are doing wrong if you are getting results that puzzle you.
Be cautious, when meeting new people. Don't give out your address
and phone number to strangers or divulge too much personal information
about yourself.
If you are going to withdraw money from an ATM machine, receive wired
money through an American Express, Citibank or Western Union location,
please go with a buddy that will help you stay alert to your surroundings.
Pick your ATM location for safety and not just convenience.
Do not attract attention to yourself by speaking English loudly in
public spaces or wearing expensive looking jewelry. These mannerisms
will certainly attract thieves, or worse.
Taxis are not safe everywhere, especially late at night. Inquire about
it. In some places, women just do not ride taxis by themselves, because
it is not safe to ride a taxi with an unknown man. Men and women are
often robbed and assaulted by taxi drivers. In many cities, taxis have
gotten so dangerous that people use Radio Taxis, to get the names of
reputable companies. It is hard to resist the temptation of flagging
down a taxi. The wait is worth it. Please make sure that the taxi is
identified so that if the call has been intercepted and several taxis
show up you can pick the right one.
In general, do not hang around famous American hangouts (restaurants,
bars, clubs and associations, consulates and embassies, etc.). Especially
if there is a terrorist threat or if the U.S. has just participated
in some military action. During times of international crisis, many U.S. embassies and
consulates are picketed and threatened.
Do not be afraid to be assertive when confronted with unwanted situations.
Do not let anyone push you into taking risks. If you feel unsafe, you
probably are. Listen to your instincts.
When using public telephones, stand facing out so you can see your
surroundings.
If someone stops you to ask for the time or to ask for directions,
step away to a distance that is safer. Why would they consider asking
an obviously foreign person for directions?
Please do not hitchhike no matter how many people tell you that it
is perfectly safe. It is not!
Your life will always be more important than any of your possessions.
Let them go and run away if necessary.
Risk Factors
Some factors that increase risk are:
being intoxicated
being alone at night, especially after midnight
being alone in an isolated area
being alone in a high crime area
being asleep in an unlocked place
being out after a local curfew
being new to the country
being unable to speaking the local language
being in a new place and having no established friends
Depression
Be familiar with the symptoms of depression so that you can identify
problem signs and can seek help if needed. Speaking another language
all the time and getting used to cultural differences is tiring. You
will need to pamper yourself from time to time. Take care of yourself.
Be patient and flexible with others and yourself.
Alcohol Abuse -- This cannot be emphasized enough!
Be careful of over indulging. Be aware of the customs of the country.
To drink to get drunk, may not be the custom even though, like in France,
they drink with every meal. It is very tempting in a foreign country
where the beer may be stronger and cheaper and there are no barriers
to drinking before the age of 21. However, there are some serious dangers.
Drugging is not at all uncommon. Always try to buy your own drinks.
Keep control of yourself. Never go home with a stranger. Always go out
with at least one friend (especially if you are a woman), and return
with that friend. Please note that abuse of alcohol can be grounds for
dismissal from the program.
Swimming
Many drownings on beaches abroad are due to the fact that foreign swimmers
are unaware of what the local population knows about undertows or particular
dangers on the local beach. A very large percentage of drownings are
foreign swimmers (for example in Costa Rica and Mexico). Do not count
on lifeguards, for most of the places you will be visiting, there will
be none. Swimming under the influence of alcohol or other drugs increases
your risk.
Drugs
Doing illegal drugs in a foreign country is a VERY BAD IDEA.
Drugs account for 1/3 of Americans arrested overseas. If you get caught
with them, you could be thrown into a jail unlike any you could ever
imagine. And the U.S. government cannot help you out of such a situation.
You are subject to laws of that country. Some countries have death penalties
for illegal drug possession (Turkey, Malaysia, etc.), with the average
sentence being over seven years. The fact you were carrying a small
amount may not make a difference at all. Very few countries are liberal
in regards to drugs. The penalties may be the same for marijuana and
heroin. Read about the laws of the country you are visiting. Drug use
may be very rare in your host country and many people will be horrified
to learn about drug use in the U.S.
Sex
Although sex is not necessarily planned, safe sex should be. You should
always be prepared for any eventuality. Therefore, even if you are not
expecting to experience intimacy with anyone while overseas, bring a
supply of condoms with you anyway. Keep in mind that American-made condoms
are in general safer and more reliable than many of the ones you may
purchase abroad. If you are a woman do not be afraid of being perceived
as promiscuous if you carry condoms, and do not expect male partners
to always have their own. Most importantly, understand that this is
not a joking matter: even one apparently insignificant episode could
ruin and shorten the rest of your life--and often someone else's.
Pack your condoms!
Beside their primary function, condoms can come in very handy when
you're travelling. Infantrymen (and women) as well as seasoned jungle
travelers use them to carry surprisingly large volumes of water among
other things. They are also good waterproof covers or containers. They
can be used as temporary fan-belts in cars, washing machines and vacuum
cleaners. Condoms can be filled with ice and placed on swollen painful
joints to decrease inflammation and discomfort.
(Source: Bugs, Bites & Bowels, Dr. Jane Wilson Howarth)
All this said -- be aware that in some countries, especially outside
of Europe, males and females may be virgin until they get married. Likewise,
sex may not be talked about publicly.
Standing out
If you are in a minority in the environment you find yourself living
in, people will be very curious about you. Children may follow you on
the street. People may yell out your most obvious or physical characteristics
to acknowledge you or just stare at you. You will be surprised at people
calling you "Blond One, Tall One, Black One, Crazy Tattooed Man, etc."
Most of this attention is not negative or dangerous but sometimes you
may be categorized based on their own stereotypes (which may be very
different from country to country). These types of episodes might force
you to confront racism and/or sexism for the first time. Remember that
you do not have to respond to the harassment or change the society all
on your own. You just have to be safe.
So, if you are in an ethnic/religious or racial minority, or openly
gay or have a lot of piercing and tattoos, be prepared for standing
out in a crowd. Here again, it is important to try to blend in with
dress and behavior and to learn about the culture in order to understand
and live in a safe environment. Do not judge all of the society by the
actions of a few. We have hate groups and individuals who are racist
in the U.S. but most of us do not agree with their views. It is the
same abroad.
Prior to leaving, ask your advisor or program about information and
talk to other students about possible scenarios.
Being gay is also different everywhere, although there are gay people
in every culture. Each society has its own gay culture. But how open
can you be about being gay? What are the local laws and norms? There
is a website especially written for gay students by Study Abroad Advisors
http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/.
For more information on health and safety issues, as well as health
and safety updates, please visit the following related links:
U.S.
State Department Travel Warnings
U.S. Embassies
Tips
for Students Studying Abroad (Department of State website)
Safety Abroad Handbook
(USC Center of Global Education's resources and preparation tips for
students considering studying abroad)
