Safety While Studying Abroad

To Maryville Students currently abroad or considering studying abroad:

Given the uncertain situation at home and abroad, members of the International Programming Committee are writing to confirm our support to those of you who are abroad as well as students considering a study abroad exchange next semester. Undoubtedly, most of you who are abroad have been in contact with the International Offices at your host institution who are offering various forms of support for students. All are prepared to assist you and other students, so please avail yourselves of their assistance.

After reviewing State Department advisories and the practices of other universities and programs, we are not canceling or postponing any programs at this time. If you have any concerns after reading this message or if you are concerned about being abroad or leaving to go abroad, please feel free to contact our partner institutions and/or us.

Please read carefully the information from the US Department of State travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html and follow all instructions. We recommend you consult the web page of the U.S. embassy where you are studying. It will offer specific information and safety precautions (usembassy.state.gov). We advise you to consult the Study Abroad Handbook.

In addition to these precautions, we recommend the following, which are always advisable but even more so now:

Seek advice from the authorities in charge at your host institution regarding travel in the region and read the travel warnings at http://travel.state.gov. If you will travel, leave your travel itinerary with the coordinator at the host institution and send our office a copy of this information.
Contact your family and let them know your safety plans and make sure they know when you are traveling. Let us know if you are having difficulty contacting your family. We can try to make contact on your behalf and then be in touch with you via email.
Keep your passport in a safe place.
As we stressed at orientation, blend in with the local populations. Do not join large groups in public places.
In large cities and other popular tourist destinations, avoid or spend little time in areas which could be possible target for terrorist activity, especially places frequented by Americans: bars and fast-food restaurants associated with the U.S.-branches of American banks; American schools and churches; well-known American firms and businesses; and American embassies and consulates. Avoid using American logos on your belongings and clothing.
Report suspicious events immediately to the local authorities.
Know what YOU will do in an emergency. Please read the Crisis Management Plan found in this section of the website.
Be cautious when you meet new people. Do not give out your address or phone number. Never give away or leave any material describing when and where activities for U.S. students are taking place during the semester.
Do not accept packages from strangers or if you have not seen what is inside. Make sure that nobody puts anything in your luggage.
In train stations and airports, do not hang around ticket offices of airline counters; go quickly to your train or the lounges beyond the passport controls.
In all public places, remain alert; look around, get away from any package or bag, which appears to be unattended and mention it to employees or the police. Do not leave your own bags unattended at any time.
In spite of all the shows of support, you may hear negative or disturbing remarks about the U.S. or Americans. Don't respond, and get away from the people making them if you are on public transportation, for example. Don't answer direct questions about your nationality, give information about yourself, or explain why you're here to someone who has no business asking or seems overly aggressive or insistent.
Security checks in airports and train stations may result in long delays or even cancellations, so it's best to stick close to home.

International education is now more important than ever. Only through cultural understanding and respect can future tragedies be avoided. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions: Kirsten.Sheppard@maryvillecollege.edu

Very sincerely yours,

The International Programming Committee:
Kelly Franklin, John Gallagher, Neisa Pamfil, Lori Schmied, Kirsten Sheppard and Chad Berry, Chair.