Faculty-Led Study Abroad
Pre-Departure and Risk Management
CIE Study Abroad
SCENARIOS
Common Problems for students
1. Lost Luggage
2. Departure Problems
3. Debit/Credit Card Issues
4. Demonstrations, Protests, Riots
SCENARIOS
What you need to be prepared for:
1. Robbery
2. Assault
3. Injury/Illness and Mental Health
Worst Case Scenario:
1. Missing Student
2. Death of a student
-traffic accidents (pedestrian)
-drowning
PREVENTION
The best time to address common health and safety concerns is during the
planning phase of your program.
Main factors to consider:
 Road travel – outline your travel plans; does time of day determine the route/travel option? In many
locations, traveling at night may not be the best option. Have alternative travel plans or alternative plans in case
an emergency occurs at night, or if your program requires long-distance travel.
 Communication with students – plan for frequent informal/formal communication
with students prior to, during, and after your program; have an emergency communication plan in place if a
natural disaster or political event were to disrupt phone/internet communication
 Communication with CIE Study Abroad - plan for frequent communication
with the office prior to, during, and after your program; have an emergency communication plan in place if a natural
disaster or political event were to disrupt phone/internet communication
 Routes and travel to health organizations/professionals –
outline your travel routes and consider alternative methods of travel if a natural disaster, political event, or time of day
were to affect modes of transportation
Program Planning
 Destination concerns: Know the potential health and
safety concerns of your location
 Weather, walking/hiking conditions, water/food
 Road travel safety
 You need to consider the factors that will impact the
physical, mental and emotional health of your students
 Student concerns: What kind of student will your
program attract? What kind of student do you expect?
How do we best work with these students to ensure a
successful program?
Itinerary
 Your itinerary needs to reflect a well-timed program
 Time for reflection (both in a group and individual)
 Time for travel
 Scheduled downtime to allow everyone to recharge
 Remember this is 24/7 togetherness!
 Students will bicker with you and each other
CIE Pre-Departure
 Students will attend pre-departure with CIE Study
Abroad and other students
 We will give them country specific information regarding
immunizations, weather, etc.
 It is recommended you do additional follow-up with
students
 Address any specific health concerns they have
 Outline expectations for student behavior/conduct
 On-site orientation for students upon arrival
How you can prepare
 Be proactive not reactive
 Know the location of the US Embassy
 Understand the health insurance coverage
 Always have emergency plans with students
 Meeting location
 Contact information (back-up ways to communicate)
 In case of emergency: document and communicate with
CIE
Planning for Safety
 Resources
 U.S. Department of State: www.travel.state.gov

Travel warnings, public announcements, consular information
sheets, background information sheets

Students register: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/
 OSAC www.osac.gov
 CDC http://www.cdc.gov/
 WHO http://who.int/en/
 Mental health
 Be prepared mentally and physically before you leave. Stress of
traveling can intensify current mental/physical health issues
HTH Worldwide
 Covers up to $500,000
 Up to $5,000 if someone needs flown to you (in hospital
week or more)
 Will not cover injuries sustained while participating in a
riot or civil commotion
 Does not cover high risk activities
 Driving, scuba diving, sky diving, parasailing, hang
gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping
 NO DRIVING
HTH resources
 Hthstudents.com
 Find hospitals, doctors, pharmacies from their portal
 Insurance card
 Recommend students print and have on hand
 Remind students to take ownership of their health
Documentation
 An incident report is included in your handbook
 Contact CIE immediately and document the incident in
writing
 Who, where, when, how, why—as many details as
possible
Communication
 Communication is key both with CIE and with your
students
 Contact us as soon as you are safe/stable
 Follow-up and debrief with students after any incident
regardless of how minor it may seem
 Do not communicate with the media if you are
contacted, direct them to Mike Counter
Student behavior:
Alcohol & Drugs
 Model appropriate social behavior
 Alcohol and Safety Video – University of Texas – Austin
 Alcohol is usually a factor when students find themselves in
danger while abroad.
 Alcohol and drug laws differ in other countries
 Ensure students know how these differ and what that
means for them
 Why the behavioral expectations are important
Student Behavior & Conduct
 Remind students to remember they are subject to host
country’s laws and regulations
 They do not receive special treatment because of US
citizenship
 Violation may lead to deportation, arrest, or
imprisonment
 Remind students:
 Know the rules and laws of your host country
 Learn the necessary phrases in your host country’s
language
 Exercise sound judgment, common sense, and
responsibility
What we tell students
 Encourage students to submit HIPAA forms to medical providers
 Take ownership of your health
 If you have health conditions or other circumstances that
require special attention, you must note this on your Medical
Report
 Health issues and illness abroad
 Water and food
 Culture-shock related illnesses
 Drugs and alcohol
 Be aware of your host country’s laws regarding drugs, alcohol and
prescription medication
Your Health
 Immunizations
 What’s required? When do you need them?
 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
 Prescriptions
 Plan (with your doctor, the consulate, and HTH
Worldwide) to ensure that you can have access to your
medication
 Is your medication legal and can you can the
necessary amount with you?
 Pack medication in your carry-on luggage
 Keep all medications in their original containers
Final thoughts
 The onus is on students to take responsibility for their
health and safety.
 We need your support to give them the information they
need to make informed decisions while studying abroad.
 It can be stressful traveling with students 24/7 but also
incredibly rewarding.
What we will provide
 Emergency contact information for all students
 Campus emergency contact information
 Resources for finding country/city specific information
 Additional sessions with students regarding health and
safety
 Up-to-date insurance information for your reference
 Pre-departure and re-entry for students