Fort Lewis College | International Programs

Global competence and awareness gained by such an experience is crucial to national and international interests. Students who leave college without having had a significant international experience will increasingly be thought of as not fully educated for the professional world they will enter. Your son or daughter understands this. We live in a global society in which knowledge, resources and authority cross national and regional boundaries. The knowledge, skills and attitudes it takes to understand and prevail in such a society can be best achieved by living and learning through direct experience in a culture beyond one’s own. Study abroad offers this.

Is it safe? What are the primary causes of health and safety problems that students might face overseas?

Many of the health and safety problems students find abroad are similar to those they find on American college campuses. Individual student behavior (sometimes misbehavior) is the cause of most illnesses, injuries and fatalities. When students do not prepare themselves properly, ignore the advice and counsel of campus and overseas personnel, or act naively or as if they are invulnerable, they can get into a lot of trouble. This is especially true when they travel excessively on their own or engage in dangerous social behavior, such as binge drinking or hanging out in unsavory local nightspots. Your daughter or son is considerably less likely to be the victim of a natural catastrophe, social violence, disease, or program negligence than of being victimized by her or his own poor judgment exercised in unfamiliar surroundings.

However, there are health and safety problems that are not the direct responsibility of students themselves, but which can victimize them. These involve modes of travel (airplane, bus, van, taxi, car, etc.); criminal behavior directed against them (theft, sexual assault); and permanent or evolving health and safety conditions in the local environment (disease, natural catastrophes, political upheaval). In order to be prepared to meet the challenges specific to particular programs and locations, it is important that you and your daughter or son learn from information provided by the program sponsors and from the experiences of past study abroad students. When you discuss study abroad with your child, make sure to cover not only the academic portion of the study abroad program, but what can happen during their free time, on excursions, and when traveling independently.

What steps does the FLC take to ensure the safety of students who go abroad?

It is impossible for us to foresee or prevent every emergency, but the reality is, traveling could be risky – whether for pleasure, work or school. We are committed, however, to providing accurate and timely information about ways to minimize risks when students travel abroad and how to respond to emergencies when they happen. We regularly review the programs with which we are affiliated to ensure that they meet nationally accepted standards for safety and security for study abroad. Our partner programs keep us regularly informed of any changes or safety concerns. We provide students with information about how to stay safe and healthy while abroad through our GS250/GS251 classes and pre-departure orientation. We strongly suggest students maintain health insurance sufficient to cover the specific needs associated with international travel. We do not approve students to study abroad in countries under a US State Department travel warning for Americans abroad. If there are warnings for the countries where we have students, these are posted on our webpage. And finally, we encourage regular communication with students while they are abroad in order to quickly respond to major and minor emergencies.

Newspapers and TV accounts suggest that overseas risks may be great. Is this true?

Most Americans know what they know, not from direct experience in other countries, but from the mass media, which tends to sensationalize world events. Established overseas study programs fully recognize the responsibility to provide a secure and unthreatening environment in which your daughter or son can live and learn safely. Responsible campuses and programs regularly consult with colleagues around the country who are involved in the administration of study abroad programs, with resident directors, with responsible officials of foreign host universities, with contacts in the U.S. Department of State, with governmental and non-governmental agencies, and with other experts, including faculty who are well-informed on issues and events. It is in no one’s interest to risk student safety or well being. It is also imperative that knowledge of geography, and the proximity of countries to “danger zones” is necessary in order to understand the news reports that bring “overseas risk” warnings into our homes. Australia is not Afghanistan.

Are certain countries more dangerous than others? Why?

Yes. Depending on the current relationship with the United States (and perceptions about Americans), and/or the current political climate of the country based on internal circumstances, some countries are certainly not as “friendly” as others and should be researched carefully before choosing as a study abroad destination. Lifestyles, cultural practices, and expectations will be very different from home—even in places that seem on the surface to be relatively similar to the U.S. Students must make sure they understand how things “work”. They cannot assume that behavior they took for granted at home will be accepted in the host country. They must ask about:

Political climate and relationship with the U.S.
Recent economic and/or social climate of the country/city
Safety issues such as local transportation, swimming practices, and electrical appliances
Security issues such as neighborhood security, and personal security at night

 Cultural issues like attitudes toward gender, friendship, and dating. Rules regarding drinking, fashion, and modesty.

Aren’t most countries just inherently dangerous to Americans? What do U.S. embassies do to guarantee safety of American citizens?

No. Few countries, for instance, have as much street crime and the potential for stranger-upon-stranger violence as the United States. U.S. students may be statistically “safer” in foreign cities and towns than they are at home or on their own campus. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of injury to study abroad students. Many U.S. students report, when they return from a period abroad, that they had never felt safer in their lives. This does not mean that there is no crime elsewhere, or that your daughter’s or son’s personal safety is ever completely assured. Minor street crime (especially pick-pocketing) is a fact of life in many countries, especially in crowded cities that receive regular influxes of foreign visitors. The U.S, government issues updated travel advisories and warnings to head off travel in regions where there may be a risk of danger to Americans.

All decisions regarding program operations are made with reference to data from a number of sources. In addition to the consular information sheets and advisory messages posted by the U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov), our resident directors and program directors use information gathered locally and through conversations with other providers in the city or country. In making individual decisions concerning participation, we suggest that participants and their parents carefully review the State Department Travel Advisories web page listed above.

In case of a “situation” abroad, will the Fort Lewis College International Programs Office know what is going on overseas, and will they keep us informed?

The ability to communicate almost instantaneously worldwide via e-mail enables campuses, third-party program sponsors, and parents to obtain and share information quickly and accurately in planning programs. Modern telecommunications also allows for the monitoring of evolving events. In the event of an overseas emergency that may have repercussions for study abroad programs and students, it is possible to take immediate action. As soon as Fort Lewis hears of a potential situation abroad that would affect our students, parents will be notified. Pertinent information will also be posted on the international webpage. With communication between program providers and FLC, we are able to make proactive and reactive decisions concerning the safe operation of our programs. The IPO subscribes to SECUSSA-L, the major industry list serve which posts all emergency issues and situations as they occur worldwide.

Who can help my daughter or son if trouble occurs?

In those few locations where even remote danger might occasionally exist, program directors work with local police, U.S. consular personnel, and local university officials in setting up whatever practical security measures are deemed prudent. In such places, students will be briefed during orientation programs and reminded at times of heightened political tension about being security-conscious in their daily activities. It is important to remember that the on-site personnel have more insight regarding these situations than we do, and we depend on them - just as they depend on us to protect their students who are here. In regards to health or accidents, it is important that your son or daughter has sufficient insurance. Be sure to talk to your child about alternate insurance plans if your current family plan does not cover your son or your daughter overseas.

If our child is abroad when something dangerous develops, how can we make contact? What if something happens here, and we want to communicate this immediately?

Don’t let your child leave home without having as many reliable means of contact as possible in place – a mailing address, an e-mail address, and phone and fax numbers. As noted, overseas programs and home campuses are likely to have set up regular and reliable means of communication, so it may be best to utilize these systems as a first resort, rather than trying to make direct contact with your daughter or son overseas. It is always possible to contact the FLC international office and we will transmit information to the program provider. Nevertheless, you should develop a family communication plan for regular telephone or e-mail contact, with contingencies for emergency situations. With this in place, in times of heightened political tension, natural disaster, or other difficulty, you should be able to communicate with each other directly about safety and well being. On the other hand, responsible programs may even anticipate your concerns, and make contact with you immediately. Instant international communication in emergency situations continues to improve with easy access to e-mail and international cell phones.

 Each student should take the list of contact numbers provided with their study aboard acceptance package and make copies for their emergency contacts. Laminated wallet sized “emergency cards” are handy when thinking straight may be compromised. Each card should include their international address, phone number, school phone number and emergency contact, the nearest US consulate and local police. The FLC International Programs Office and campus police umbers should also be included. A general website and number to have available is the U.S. State Department Overseas Citizens Emergency Center (202.647.5225)

What if our child gets ill or hurt while abroad?

Students are required to have a physical and emotional health check during the application process. They are also required to learn about immunization requirements and recommendations and check for regional health advisories for their host country. It is also the responsibility of the student and their family to assess and address their physical health, state of mind, and any health requirements honestly BEFORE they travel abroad. New circumstances can exacerbate existing issues into crises while students are away from home. If you are concerned about your child’s physical or emotional health, including use of alcohol or other controlled drugs, address this situation honestly during the “program consideration” period, not after they are gone.

It is critical that students and families understand—and communicate—any health requirements they have when applying for a program and making housing arrangements. This means allergies, psychological therapy, dietary requirements, disabilities, and any other medical or special educational needs. Disabled students study abroad successfully all the time, though resources and services for people with special needs vary widely by country and region. If you have been using services here at home to address those needs, make sure you understand ahead of time exactly what accommodations can and will be made. In some cases, these needs may determine which program is suitable for the student.

Can anyone absolutely guarantee our child’s safety?

No. Nor can we (FLC) guarantee 100% safety here. As long as you have asked all the questions of the campus, of the program sponsor, of your son or daughter, and have the answers you need concerning potential health and safety risks, you have done all you can do. No matter how safety-conscious the program provider is, none can guarantee 100% security or health. That’s because no one can eliminate all risks from the overseas environment (some things are just beyond a provider’s control) or prevent students from engaging in illegal, dangerous, or plain unwise activities. That part is up to them.

If the risks are unacceptable, you have every right to find another alternative or decide not to support study abroad in any form. If the risks are unacceptable, you have every right to find another alternative or decide not to support study abroad in any form. If these risks are acceptable, and common sense and caution are observed, then only fate can interfere with what should be a great journey and return. .