The Office of Overseas Studies in the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California urges students and parents to stay informed of conditions that may affect the health and safety of USC students abroad. Traveling and living in a foreign country always have their elements of risk. In study abroad as in other settings, students’ own decisions and behaviors can have a major impact on their own health and safety. There are many resources available to help students and parents better understand risks associated with traveling and living in foreign countries as well as precautions that can be taken. To aid students and parents in their consideration of potential health and safety risks, we have put together some information and provided links to readily accessible web sites that address issues of health and safety while abroad.
Health
The most frequent health issues faced by students abroad are those that affect travelers in general and include gastrointestinal troubles, colds and flu. The stress of adjusting to a new culture and new physical environmental can contribute to health problems. Minor, moderate, and serious (physical and mental) health issues can and do arise. Sometimes these issues are not new to the student but are exacerbated when the student tackles the challenges of living in a different culture far from his or her normal routine and support system. Some health issues are new to the student or unique to the host country or region.
Safety
Students are encouraged to carefully consider the safety risks and relevant precautions involved in traveling and living in a foreign country. Issues of safety are covered in the Study Abroad Handbook that study abroad students receive prior to studying abroad and are covered in the mandatory pre-departure orientation. When students arrive at their study abroad sites, they usually receive more specific information on safety issues. Students should carefully read the Study Abroad Handbook and consider all materials issued by the program sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in their host country.
University Response
When there is a known significant increase in the level of potential danger to USC students in a city or region where they study abroad, University officials meet to determine what steps to take to maximize student safety. U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Advisories, embassies’ and consulates’ Public Announcements, the travel advice of other governments, news sources, the resident directors and international student offices at the study abroad sites, and other information sources are all instrumental in informing University decisions.