Melanie Marks
Longwood University
Office of International Affairs
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Remind students and faculty members about
the risks associated with study abroad.
Discuss some of these specific risks.
Provide information on how to limit these
risks as much as possible.
Give you resources so that you may learn
more about these risks.
# Students Studying Abroad
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
1993
1997
2002
2004
2007
Source: IES National Center for Education Statistics,
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2010/section5/table-ssa-1.asp
12
10
8
6
Africa
4
Asia
2
0
1987
1993
1997
2002
2004
2005
Africa
2006
2007
•Graph shows that a larger % of the total study abroad
populations are going to Asia and to Africa.
•This means that fewer are going to places like Europe.
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No two countries are alike.
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There is no way to predict what problems can
emerge on your particular trip.
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Today we will speak in generalities about limiting
risk when you are outside of the country.
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It is wise to learn as much as you can about your
destination.
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It is important to be aware of your surroundings.
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It is important not to expose yourself to
additional risks.
Countries have different laws and ideas about
due process.
 Usual forms of contact may not be readily
available to you (cell phones, Internet).
 Language barriers can lead to
misunderstandings/miscommunication and
make it harder to obtain help.
 Your surroundings are not always familiar to
you.
 Some foreign countries have different
attitudes with respect to women.
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Individuals may look to take advantage of tourists,
especially if they appear vulnerable.
Travel can be stressful—this can lead to mental health
issues for some students.
 If this applies to you make sure that you have any relevant
medicines, coping mechanisms (running gear), etc. with you.
 If you see behavior that concerns you in other students you
need to bring it to your trip leader’s attention.
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Travel can be physically demanding—opportunity for
injury.
The resources available to you might be limited (medical,
etc.).
Drinking age often lower outside the US.
In some places drugs/alcohol is readily accessible.
Opportunity to learn about other cultures.
 Opportunity to practice a foreign language.
 Opportunity to study at a university outside
of your country.
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◦ Taste different foods.
◦ Try new recreational activities (ride an elephant in
Thailand or zip line in Costa Rica).
◦ Use new forms of transportation (tuk tuk in Asia or
camel in Morocco).
◦ Interact with the country’s citizens.
THESE ACTIVITIES ALL INVOLVE SOME RISKS.
Kurt Leswing, a University of Wisconsin student,
died when he was hit by a car in 2008.
The accident took place in SE Asia while he was on
a semester at sea study abroad program run
through UVA.
This resulted in a very traumatic situation for not
only his family but the other students participating
in the UVA program.
Source: The Badger Herald, November 10, 2008
CAR ACCIDENTS ARE THE #1 REASON FOR DEATH/INJURY
WHEN STUDYING ABROAD. CARS MAY NOT YIELD TO
PEDESTRIANS AS THEY DO HERE. AND NOTE THAT IN
MANY COUNTRIES CARS DRIVE ON THE LEFT SIDE!
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In March 2011, Austin Bice, a student at SDSU was
found dead in Europe.
Austin was participating in a semester-long study
abroad.
One night he was drinking with his friends.
They decided to go out for the evening to a bar.
Upon not feeling well, Austin chose to walk home alone
at night.
It has not been determined what exactly happened to
Austin, however, this death might have been
preventable.
Source: Huffpost College, April 28, 2011
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Justin Little, a college student was on a solo trip to
Europe in 2009.
When he did not return as scheduled, his family
filed a missing person’s report.
Justin was found dead in a suburban park.
Justin had been walking alone.
He was in a place that was considered to be very
unsafe.
Police suspect robbery to be the motive for this
death; however, this death might have been
preventable.
Source: Today MSNBC 10/23/2009
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One of our own modern language professors
tells of an incident he had in Europe.
On the way home to his apartment he was
“befriended” by some locals.
They walked together back to his home.
Later that night his apartment was robbed—
the door was unlocked.
This professor believes that these individuals
were responsible.
What could he have done differently?
Department of State is a very good place to go.
 Go to “International Travel Information” located
at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_t
w_1168.html
 Section on “safety and security” and “crime”.
 Look for any travel alerts/warnings.
 If the Department of State indicates an alert,
Longwood will monitor the situation. Trips will be
cancelled if significant risk is indicated (for
example, a “warning”).
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Do an Internet search related to your country
on the following types of topics:
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Travel tips for women in _____
Travel tips for students in _____
Tips for women traveling alone in _____
Common scams in _____
Visit Center for Disease Control website to
get information about vaccinations.
 Go to link for “Travelers’ Health” at
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
 Some recommendations might be for things
that students are likely to have (Hep A, B).
 Other shots might be suggested (Ex: Japanese
Encephalitis for Thailand)
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The local Department of Health can offer
many of the suggested immunizations.
 They accept walk-ins
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Tuesdays only
8:30-11:00 and 1:00-3:00.
Located in Courthouse on Main Street…enter
from the rear of the building.
 They do charge fees so see if anything is
covered under your insurance.
 Have also learned that Martin’s has a wellness
center that can provide you these shots.
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In some countries women should not dress
provocatively…it is socially unacceptable and
might attract undesired attention.
 Example: Malaysia is a Muslim country—women should dress
accordingly.
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The “boisterous American” is unwelcome in some
parts of the world.
 Your behavior will attract undesired attention
 It might make you vulnerable.
 It might be harder to get help when your dress/behavior is
inappropriate.
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Women walking alone might be socially
unacceptable in parts of the world…and this can
put them at risk.
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Traveling in a group can be safer than traveling
alone.
Always walk with a purpose and be aware of your
surroundings.
Be wary of people who approach you on the street
and want to take you somewhere.
Be wary of people who act too familiar…there are
common scams that can cost you a lot of money.
Don’t leave your stuff unattended…use safes when
they are available.
Leave jewelry and other valuables that are not
important at home (even more important in the
developing world where poverty is more common).
Alcohol compromises your ability to make
good decisions…and inebriation can put you
at risk.
 Limit alcohol consumption and never accept a
drink from a stranger. Always keep track of
your beverages.
 Date rape drugs, etc. are not uncommon
ways that tourists are preyed upon.
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Do not undertake an activity if you feel it is
not well managed or if it will not be safe for
you.
For example, if you do not swim be aware of waterrelated activities. Consider bringing this to the
attention of your trip leader.
Do not undertake an activity if you do not feel
that there are reasonable safety standards.
 Do not undertake an activity until you feel
you have been adequately briefed.
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Guse, Corrtes, Hargarten, Hennes (2007)
Determined risk of injury is higher while
traveling.
Lack of familiarity, infrastructure, medical
care, geography, etc. play their roles, the
number one contributing factor is BEHAVIOR.
This is a variable that is WITHIN YOUR
CONTROL.
Have extra money/credit cards just in case of
emergency…and don’t put all in one place.
 Keep your money and passport safe…your
faculty trip leader can advise you on what is
best for your destination.
 When possible, use a safe to lock up your
passport and money.
 It many cases it makes sense to leave your
passport locked in suitcase and travel with a
copy of the passport. (Your trip leader can
advise you on this.)
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 Crowded areas (tourist areas and
transportation) are particularly
attractive to pickpockets.
 Keep a close eye on your
possessions when you find yourself
in these areas.
 Consider wearing backpack on
your “front” instead of back or a safe
purse (described previously).
 Consider small locks on your
zippers.
 Be careful when falling asleep on a
train/bus…people do troll looking
for accessible luggage. Sleep with
your backpack as a pillow!
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Travelers checks don’t always work in all
locations…some places do not accept them!
If carrying traveler’s checks, write down the numbers
issued to you and cross them off as you cash them (if
lost you need to provide this information). Also leave
this info behind.
Contact your credit card company and inform
them that you are leaving the country.
Otherwise your card might frozen and the
fraud department will try to investigate.
 Have more than one way to access your
funds!
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Find out about any issues related to money in
your country.
 For example:
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◦ Some countries encourage traveler’s check use; others
make it difficult to use.
◦ Some countries won’t accept old bills, ones that are
folded, torn, marked, etc.
◦ Some countries won’t accept bills that are older than a
certain year or have certain letters in their serial
numbers.
THIS INFORMATION IS EASY TO FIND OUT WITH SOME
INTERNET RESEARCH. You can find yourself in a bind if
you are not prepared in this way!
We can help to keep each other safe.
 Travel with a partner, even if it is across the
street to buy a bottle of water.
 Communicate with each other and make sure
someone knows where you are going.
 Keep an eye out for unusual behavior in other
students (for example, any sign of poor mental
health).
 Communicate with trip/program leaders if you
are concerned about the behavior of another
student.
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 If one student ends up with a lost passport, injury, mental
illness, etc. it could mean the trip is impacted for EVERYONE.
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It is important that you/your trip leader register with the
State Department.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
Allows you to get routine information from the nearest US
embassy.
Allows them to better help you in the event of an
emergency.
STUDENTS should also register themselves as individuals.
NOTE: In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your
welfare and whereabouts may not be released without your
express authorization. The STEP registration allows you to
indicate who may be notified in the event of an emergency.
They cannot contact your family without consent.
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Obviously you are bringing your passport.
You should also make copies of your passport
page and put in multiple places that are
accessible during your trip (luggage, backpack).
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Leave behind a copy of your passport page for
your family and a friend.
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Bring your medical insurance information and
also leave copies behind.
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Carry a copy of your detailed itinerary and leave a
copy behind for your family.
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A faculty leader should:
◦ Have copies of your passport.
◦ Have emergency contact information for your families.
◦ Create an emergency plan that guides students in the event that:
 A student gets separated and does not know where to go to find the
group.
 There is an emergency in the country (Egypt!)
◦ Provide students with the contact information for Longwood
University (a protocol has been set for study abroad emergencies).
◦ Submit these same documents (and proof of ISIC) to the Office of
International Affairs prior to departure.
STUDENT NEED TO KEEP THIS INFORMATION WITH THEM AT
ALL TIMES.
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Longwood requires all students to purchase an ISIC
card (International Student Identity Card) or card
that offers the same coverage.
ISIC can assist in some emergencies: (from ISIC
website)
◦ 24 hour travel assistance—help with emergency cash
transfer, transmission of emergency messages, etc.
◦ 24 hour medical assistance—medical evacuation,
monitoring of the insured, prescription assistance if meds
are lost/stolen, etc.
◦ 24 hour legal assistance—can refer you to a local legal
advisor, etc.
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Coverage you get with ISIC:
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$25,000 accident medical expense
$165 per day sickness/hospital benefit
$300,000 emergency medical transportation
$25,000 repatriation of remains
Also travel document replacement, baggage delay, travel
delay (domestic)
FACULTY MEMBERS NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL
STUDENTS HAVE PURCHASED SOME FORM OF
COVERAGE THAT GIVES THESE BENEFITS.
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sure you bring your ISIC
card…enrollment/phone numbers are
printed on back.
 ISIC MAY not provide you enough medical
coverage.
 It does not provide you with trip insurance.
 You should determine if you need other
forms of coverage.
 The Office of International Affairs
recommends but does not require trip
insurance.
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Offers you some coverage in the event that:
◦ Your trip gets cancelled
◦ Your trip gets delayed
◦ Your baggage gets lost, etc.
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This is NOT required by the university, however, you
should consider if you need this coverage. And, your
trip leader might require it.
Consider how much money you will lose should you
trip be cancelled…how much is nonrefundable?
Longwood will not cover the costs of nonrefundable
airline tickets, etc. in the event that a trip must be
cancelled.
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Not all policies are the same.
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Be sure that you are purchasing the coverage that
you desire.
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EX: Thailand trip moved to Malaysia in 2010. Had
the trip simply been cancelled, many policies
would not have covered the nonrefundable
expenses…can be situation specific.
Some Providers (LU does not officially endorse):
◦ 4-front Insurance Company (Crewe, VA) 877-645-7385
◦ STA Travel www.statravel.com (insurance link)
◦ IMG www.imglobal.com (many products)
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Dr. Robert Frank
 Director of Office of International Affairs
 434.395.2182 (office)
 434.414.5715 (personal cell)
 434.392.5712 (home)
Dr. Ken Perkins
 VP for Academic Affairs
 434.395.2020 (office)
 434.390.3979 (cell)
 434.574.6356 (home)
Robert Beach
 Chief of Police
 434.395.2092 (office)
 434.395.2091 (24-hour dispatch)
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Dial the international access code for the U.S
(learn the international access codes for calling
to the U.S. from abroad at
http://www.countrycodes.com).
Then dial 434-395-2091— you can call collect.
Identify yourself as a Longwood University study
abroad faculty member/student and give the
country where you are currently located.
State your name.
Tell the person what is wrong.
Tell the person how to contact you.
Respond to questions and listen carefully to any
instructions.
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We sometimes get calls from worried parents.
Please make sure your parents understand
that you might not call the moment you land.
 Access to Internet might not be immediate.
 Cell phone reception might be limited.
 Take time to get settled into hotel.
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Ask them to give you a at least half of a day,
if not longer.
Third party programs ask for 24 hours.
 They have many people to check in.
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Of course, a text from your own global phone
can be sent almost at any time.
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Study abroad is an amazing experience that you will
remember for the rest of your life.
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However, Longwood cannot guarantee your safety on
a study abroad program.
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Your trip leader or third party provider cannot
guarantee your safety on a study abroad program.
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YOU play an important role in minimizing the risks
associated with study abroad.
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It is important to be informed and organized.
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It is important to use common sense and good
judgment.
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Dr. Bob Frank
Director of International Affairs
frankre@longwood.edu
434.395.2182 (work)
Cell phones are on previous pages
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Dr. Melanie Marks
Coordinator of Study Abroad/Professor of Econ.
marksmb@longwood.edu
434.395.2372 (work)
434.390.6767 (cell)