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Health and Safety
Health and Safety
Health and Safety
Traveling abroad requires much the same precautions that one would take in the US, although depending on your destination, you will need to be aware of other potential risks for health and safety. While we can never eliminate risks completely at home or abroad, there are many things that we can do to minimize risk and be prepared in the event of an emergency.
The following topics should be explored prior to your departure and are here for your review while you are away. The information is provided to ensure you understand some of the risks you may face while abroad and is based on recommendations by the US Department of State and the International Education community. We want you to be prepared so that you may avoid potentially unsafe situations.
In the event of an emergency, you should have the necessary information handy to quickly receive the assistance and guidance you need. Our mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation will also cover health and safety concerns. Please see the Health and Emergency Statement (pdf) for suggested actions. You will sign and acknowledge receipt of this form as part of your EA at UK application.
Travel Medical Insurance
All UK students traveling abroad academically must hold adequate travel medical insurance for the duration of their time abroad.
We recommend that students become familiar with their particular travel medical insurance policies prior to departure. Special attention should be given to the method of making insurance claims from abroad and the procedures for reimbursement. In addition to carrying the insurance card, students should keep the telephone number and policy number on their EA Emergency Information Card (pdf). A copy of this card should be given to a trusted family member or friend at home.
Traveling abroad requires much the same precautions that one would take in the US, although depending on your destination, you will need to be aware of other potential risks for health and safety. While we can never eliminate risks completely at home or abroad, there are many things that we can do to minimize risk and be prepared in the event of an emergency.
The following topics should be explored prior to your departure and are here for your review while you are away. The information is provided to ensure you understand some of the risks you may face while abroad and is based on recommendations by the US Department of State and the International Education community. We want you to be prepared so that you may avoid potentially unsafe situations.
In the event of an emergency, you should have the necessary information handy to quickly receive the assistance and guidance you need. Our mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation will also cover health and safety concerns. Please see the Health and Emergency Statement (pdf) for suggested actions. You will sign and acknowledge receipt of this form as part of your EA at UK application.
Travel Medical Insurance
All UK students traveling abroad academically must hold adequate travel medical insurance for the duration of their time abroad.
We recommend that students become familiar with their particular travel medical insurance policies prior to departure. Special attention should be given to the method of making insurance claims from abroad and the procedures for reimbursement. In addition to carrying the insurance card, students should keep the telephone number and policy number on their EA Emergency Information Card (pdf). A copy of this card should be given to a trusted family member or friend at home.
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International Health and Immunizations
Prior to embarking on an international experience, you should contact your physician or the University of Kentucky University Health Services, as well as your mental health practitioner if applicable. Depending on your country of destination, you may need immunizations. Some immunizations are given in a series and will need to be arranged well in advance.
If you are currently taking prescription medication, you will need to obtain a written prescription to take with you in case your medication is lost. Some countries have limitations on some prescription medications, so discuss your options with your physician in advance to determine potential solutions or alternatives.
Determine the food and safety guidelines for all countries you plan to visit during your international experience. Recommendations for countries worldwide are found on the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. It would be prudent to learn not only how to prevent illness, but also measures to take in the event that you do become sick. Some over-the-counter medication is easier to find in the US and can be taken with you. You should discuss this further with your physician if you will be traveling to areas prone to food and/or water-borne illnesses.
Prior to embarking on an international experience, you should contact your physician or the University of Kentucky University Health Services, as well as your mental health practitioner if applicable. Depending on your country of destination, you may need immunizations. Some immunizations are given in a series and will need to be arranged well in advance.
If you are currently taking prescription medication, you will need to obtain a written prescription to take with you in case your medication is lost. Some countries have limitations on some prescription medications, so discuss your options with your physician in advance to determine potential solutions or alternatives.
Determine the food and safety guidelines for all countries you plan to visit during your international experience. Recommendations for countries worldwide are found on the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. It would be prudent to learn not only how to prevent illness, but also measures to take in the event that you do become sick. Some over-the-counter medication is easier to find in the US and can be taken with you. You should discuss this further with your physician if you will be traveling to areas prone to food and/or water-borne illnesses.
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Personal Safety Abroad
This section will outline some ways to decrease your risks to personal safety.
This section will outline some ways to decrease your risks to personal safety.
A priority in the first few days of your Education Abroad experience is to determine the safety risks in your destination city and country, as specific risks are unique to each place. If you do not receive an orientation regarding safety in your local city by a program director, ask your host family or other students who have been at your location for a while to provide you with the following information.
- First and foremost, fill out your EA Emergency Information Card (pdf) and keep it with you at all times. The phone number for police, fire, and ambulance are typically not '911' outside of the US, so having the number at hand when you need it will save you valuable time.
- Register with your local US Embassy.
- Explore your neighborhood during daylight hours, and locate the police station and hospital nearest your accommodations. Is there a 24-hour pharmacy nearby? What are the typical business hours for stores in your area? What are the hours for public transportation? Do you see taxis frequently in your neighborhood? Find out how to hail a cab in your city--the hand signals are different in many places.
- You will want to know which areas are known to be targets for pickpockets (normally on public transportation and major tourist attractions) and which areas of the city to avoid.
- Do not walk alone at night, and when in doubt even in a small group, take a taxi directly to your destination/accommodations.
- Don't fall asleep on short bus or train rides, as this provides an opportunity for an easy theft. In the station, you should always be able to put your hand on all of your belongings (this is why packing light is essential). If you have anything of value or importance in your backpack, it is best to wear it backwards, in front of you, so that you can see it at all times. Don't worry-other savvy travelers will be doing the same!
- Avoid excessive drinking. It is impossible to evaluate your surroundings and risks when you are intoxicated, and besides putting yourself in danger, you may also endanger those around you. The risks commonly associated with intoxication, such as drowning, fights, or being hit by a car, can be magnified by simply being in an unfamiliar city and unfamiliar surroundings. Even if you avoid drunk driving, you are still at risk if your judgment is impaired. The laws regarding public intoxication and driving under the influence are different from country to country, and in some cases are more strict than the laws in the US. Remember that while living in another country, you are subject to their laws.
- The risks for possession and/or use of illegal substances are severe in most countries. Please read the US Department of State warning about drug offenses abroad.
- Avoid public demonstrations and rallies. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent very quickly.
- You will probably look like a tourist, at least for a while; however, you can minimize your tourist appearance by picking up tips from fellow international travelers. Duck into a shop or sit down on a quiet bench away from the crowd to open your map rather than advertising that you are lost by unfolding it on the street corner. One savvy traveler recommended buying a local paper to carry with you in places where tourists are hounded to join tours, buy souvenirs, etc. You may be mistaken as a local and left alone.
- When taking photos in crowds around tourist attractions, take photos in tandem with a friend. Take turns taking photos, with the person not taking photos facing the person using their camera, potentially preventing pickpockets from taking advantage of the person concentrating on the subject of their photo. This is a simple habit with traveling partners that can prevent a very common opportune moment for thieves.
- Do not carry large amounts of money on you at any time, and when you are carrying your credit cards, passport, etc. in high-risk situations such as tourist attractions and transport, put these items in a money belt underneath your clothing. Never pull out your money to count it on the street. Put money for small daily purchases in your pocket or other convenient location separate from your larger bills.
- Do not wear expensive or flashy jewelry, and if you use expensive toys and gadgets in public, you may be seen as a valuable target.
- If you carry a wallet, keep it in your front pocket, rather than your back pocket if you are not using a money belt. If you carry purses, take one with you that fully zips, and carry it with the closed zipper at the front so that you have more control over the opening of your bag. Always keep valuable things in hard-to-reach places, such as inner zipper pockets of your purse, again preventing the crimes of opportunity.
- If you are in an area of town that is high-risk for pickpockets, turn off your MP3 player or cell phone and be aware of your surroundings.
- If you suspect that you may be sexually active during your time abroad, take condoms with you to prevent STDs and/or unplanned pregnancy. If you have bought the condoms yourself, you have control over the quality of the protection. Condoms worldwide are not created equal, so be prepared with your own supply.
- Learn the gender expectations and norms in your host city. Body language in the host country may be very different from that in your home context. For example, eye contact or friendly behavior toward a person of the opposite sex may be interpreted as romantic interest, regardless of the innocent intentions. In the same manner, some cultures have norms for modest dress. You should determine what is considered appropriate clothing and err on the side of caution to avoid unwanted attention or advances.
Culture and Safety
Often we are sidelined as international travelers by an "invisible" safety risk: our cultural assumptions. In America, we have been programmed since birth to understand and evaluate risk situations around us; these risks include avoiding dark alleys late at night, not giving out personal information to strangers, and keeping an awareness of our surroundings and belongings. In fact, we often refer to these tidbits as "common sense." While all of these common sense examples still apply overseas, we can't rely on our common sense alone because we are no longer in our home context.
When evaluating our risk in another country, we need to consider the local attitudes, norms, and behaviors in regard to gender, gender relations, ethnicity, physical ability, and sexual orientation. We can't assume that the attitudes will be the same as they are in the US and that local laws provide the same protection as US laws.
Prior to leaving, you may speak confidentially with any of our Education Abroad Advisors regarding concerns about your personal safety abroad. In addition, we have provided internet resources for further reading on these topics below. Once you are in your host country, we recommend you also ask trusted program leaders, host family members, or members of this community about the current cultural norms for your location, as local norms are constantly evolving.
Often we are sidelined as international travelers by an "invisible" safety risk: our cultural assumptions. In America, we have been programmed since birth to understand and evaluate risk situations around us; these risks include avoiding dark alleys late at night, not giving out personal information to strangers, and keeping an awareness of our surroundings and belongings. In fact, we often refer to these tidbits as "common sense." While all of these common sense examples still apply overseas, we can't rely on our common sense alone because we are no longer in our home context.
When evaluating our risk in another country, we need to consider the local attitudes, norms, and behaviors in regard to gender, gender relations, ethnicity, physical ability, and sexual orientation. We can't assume that the attitudes will be the same as they are in the US and that local laws provide the same protection as US laws.
Prior to leaving, you may speak confidentially with any of our Education Abroad Advisors regarding concerns about your personal safety abroad. In addition, we have provided internet resources for further reading on these topics below. Once you are in your host country, we recommend you also ask trusted program leaders, host family members, or members of this community about the current cultural norms for your location, as local norms are constantly evolving.
EA Program Emergency Information Card (pdf)
We recommend that you print the EA Program Emergency Information Card double-sided, preferably on white card stock or heavy paper.
Health and Emergency Statement (pdf)
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Last modified 09/22/2008
