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Office of International Programs

Travel Health, Safety, and Emergency Procedures

The Office of International Programs’ first priority is preparing its students to have a safe and meaningful experience abroad. Our staff and affiliated programs’ in-country staff work together to ensure student safety.

The following are some of the programs and services that exist to maximize safety abroad:

The mandatory ½ credit course “Pre-departure Topics for Study Abroad” is required for all students studying abroad for a semester and year. Students research cross-cultural communication, cultural adaptation and culture shock, and the customs of their future host country. Summer study abroad students meet with the class before their departure. The Great Wall of China

The mandatory BSC Study Abroad Insurance is provided for all students when they pay the study abroad fee. In addition, an optional medical evacuation plan is offered by Air Ambulance Card for interested students and parents.

The Associate Director of the OIP, Anne Ledvina, is on call 24 hours a day for students who are abroad and have an emergency situation. Her emergency cell phone number is noted on the Study Abroad Emergency Card, which is given out prior to students’ departure.

The Study Abroad Session is available to parents on BSC Family Day. This is a time for parents to become more informed about BSC study abroad options and policies. Furthermore, this webpage serves the purpose of providing students and parents with the information necessary for a safe study abroad experience. Click on the links below to learn more about the topics:

Emergency Information

  • BSC Mandatory Study Abroad Insurance Policy Information
  • Air Ambulance Card optional medical evacuation plan
  • Medjet Assistance optional air medical transportation membership program
  • Be sure to keep the BSC Study Abroad Emergency Card with you while you are abroad. This card includes the 24-hour emergency cell phone number and other important contact information. If you do not have a card, please visit the Office of International Programs or contact Anne Ledvina.
  • All study abroad students should register online with the U.S. Embassy. It is important that the Embassy knows how to contact you in case of emergency.

Health Tips
(from the UAB school of Public Health)

Medications

  • Schedule an appointment with your physician well in advance of your trip; discuss how you will take medication as you cross time zones.
  • Have an ample supply of medication in original, labeled containers. Do not use pill cases or other unlabeled containers.
  • Carry along extra prescriptions, as well as a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug, as some countries have strict laws regarding narcotics.
  • Carry along the generic names of your medications, as pharmaceutical companies overseas might use different names from those in the United States.
  • Consider wearing a “medical alert” bracelet if you have allergies or reactions to medications, insect bites, certain foods, or other unique medical problems.

Diet

  • Eat carefully while abroad, especially in developing countries.
  • Avoid eating foods from street vendors.
  • Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and raw or uncooked seafood.
  • Eat foods that are steaming hot and well-cooked, as these are usually the safest.
  • Peel fruits yourself.
  • Drink commercially bottled water or carbonated beverages.
  • Avoid ice.
  • Use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Other

  • Pack a travelers’ first-aid kit for on-the-road emergencies.
  • If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, take extra pairs with you.
  • Have necessary immunizations for your destination.
  • Take insurance information cards and claim forms with you.
  • If you become ill or injured abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a list of local physicians and medical facilities.

For more information on health and safety abroad, view the “Links” section at the bottom of this page.

Money and valuables

  • Bring some traveler’s checks in case credit/debit cards are lost or stolen. Also have some foreign currency with you upon arrival in case you cannot find a bank or ATM right away.
  • Do not be obvious when counting money, and try not to carry unnecessarily large amounts of money on your person.
  • Be sure to receive a claim check for each piece of checked luggage.
  • Do not leave valuables in your room while you are out.
  • Conceal personal valuables (money, passport, etc.) in several places to avoid easy theft. Put them in different pieces of hand luggage or on your person.
  • Put your passport in a safe place or keep it on you at all times. Keep personal information and medications in a secure place.
  • Women should carry handbags in a secure manner to prevent snatch theft. To avoid motorcycle thieves, walk on the inside of paths and/or carry your purse on the side away from the street. Carry purses that have a flap and clasp.
  • Keep a rubber band around your wallet or keep it in a zipped compartment of your handbag.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings. People can train monkeys and children to pick pocket you. Be especially aware in crowds, or if you are being pushed (such as on a subway).
  • If confronted by a superior threat (ex. gun, knife, gang etc) don’t fight attackers; relinquish your valuables.
  • Report loss or theft to appropriate authorities and keep a copy of the report for insurance purposes.
  • Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money, buy airline tickets, or purchase souvenirs.

Personal Safety Concerns

    • Consider purchasing a cellular phone in your host country. It will be easier to stay in touch with family, friends and emergency contacts. Be sure to give these people your number so they can reach you in an emergency.

      • Keep a low profile. The best way to do this is to be polite, avoid loud groups of foreigners, and immerse yourself in the culture of your host community.
    • Dress and behave in a dignified manner. Avoid displaying your wealth or nationality.
    • Avoid political rallies and protests.
    • Avoid poorly-lit areas and traveling alone at night.
    • Do not give your room number, phone number, or address to persons you do not know well. Meet visitors at a public place where you feel comfortable.
    • Avoid taking pictures of police, military personnel, and military installations.
    • If staying in hotels on your travels, book a hotel room between the 2 nd and 7 th floors; high enough to avoid easy entrance and low enough for fire equipment to reach.
    • Learn some of the local language to assist you in the process of immersion and so that you can obtain help if needed.

When traveling outside the host country:

  • Carry your official passport with you, leave one copy in your host country, and take another copy in your suitcase.
  • Check the travel advisory/warning list on the State Department Web site (http://travel.state.gov/) prior to departure for countries you will travel to.
  • Check www.cdc.gov/travel for health related issues. Some areas of a country may have pockets of malaria and other problems you need to prepare for.
  • Let your advisor and a friend at the host institution know where you will be traveling and your expected time of departure and return. If you have a cell phone number or contact information, be sure to leave it with your advisor.
  • Use common sense. People are often less cautious when traveling or on vacation.

Pre-Departure Preparations

Travel Precaution Suggestions

  • Make 3 copies of your passport, ID cards (driver’s license, military I.D., ISIC card), credit cards, and medical insurance card. Give one copy to your parents and pack the other two copies in your luggage.
  • Record important numbers such as telephone numbers, addresses, and traveler’s check numbers.
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary or general whereabouts, including flight numbers and information, with a person at home.
  • Type up personal information, including home address, Social Security number, passport number, emergency contact information, health insurance provider and number, and any medical conditions or prescriptions. Give one copy to your parents and keep one for yourself.
  • Make a contact information card to place in your purse or wallet. Include your parents’ numbers, emergency contact number, Anne Ledvina’s phone number, BSC Campus Security’s number, and medical insurance company.
  • Get your embassy or consulate contact information for your host country before you leave. Embassy web pages can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov .
  • Purchase a travel belt, which can hide your passport and money under your clothes while you travel. Do not carry large amounts of money on your person.
  • Study currency denominations and coins to familiarize yourself with the exchange rate to the US dollar. This will make you seem like less of a tourist.
  • Make sure your credit cards can be used in a foreign bank machine, and before you leave, change some U.S. Dollars to some of your host country’s currency in case you are unable to go to a bank for a few days after arrival. This can be done at large banks in downtown Birmingham.

Packing

  • Do not pack knives, nail files, pepper spray, scissors, unmarked packages, or any other object that could be considered a weapon in your carry on luggage. Any such items should be in your checked luggage.
  • Pack a full set of clothes and some toiletries in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost.
  • Check your airline’s baggage policies and restrictions. Pack as lightly as possible. Many items can be purchased after arrival.
  • Pack clothing that will not make you conspicuous or cause you to threatened. This includes stereotypical American items such as baseball and cowboy hats, t-shirts with pictures, flags, or college names and insignia. Provocative clothing is also not recommended. Be aware of what is considered appropriate style of dress in your host country.
  • It is sometimes necessary to show documentation of your student status in airports. Pack letters of acceptance from universities, return flight tickets/itineraries, or other documents in an accessible area while traveling.

While abroad

  • Learn the local laws and cultural norms of your host country and obey them. Americans are subject to the laws of the country they are in. Your embassy cannot get you out of jail but can only advise you, assist in legal translation, and provide a list of local attorneys. Penalties for drug violations, including possession of small amounts of marijuana and other substances, are severe in many countries and a strictly enforced.
  • Learn the location of the U.S. embassy/consulate, of hospitals, and of the nearest police station.
  • Establish a buddy-system or phone tree with your friends in case any of you become sick or need help for any reason. Give your parents your friends’ numbers, and vice versa, in case they cannot reach you in an emergency.
  • Contact your embassy as soon as you arrive.
  • If your passport or purse is stolen,
    • Contact the Embassy immediately. This is when the copy of your passport and typed information will be helpful.
    • Contact your credit card companies
    • File a police report
    • Contact your parents and Anne Ledvina if they can offer you any assistance

Returning home

  • Become familiar with the US Customs rules and declaration policies. The booklet “Know Before You Go” is very helpful and can be found in the federal passport offices. Some souvenirs that go against customs rules are shells, unprocessed food, fruit, plants, and Cuban cigars.
  • Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on
  • Do not pack something that could delay you at security check-points. Be prepared to answer questions such as where you packed your bags, who you were with at the time, the reason for and length of your stay, etc.
  • Be certain you have all of your I.D.s and Passport
  • Send your itinerary information to a family member or friend.
  • Reconfirm flight reservations 2 weeks prior to leaving .
  • Notify the embassy/consulate of your departure from the country.

Links to internationally oriented Web sites:

The U.S. Department of State:

Health and Safety Abroad:

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