The health, safety, and security of CSUB students participating in our study abroad programs is the primary concern for the CSUB Study Abroad Office. Every effort is made to ensure that our students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad have the resources and information they need for a successful study abroad experience. Though absolute safety cannot be guaranteed abroad just as it cannot be guaranteed in the United States, CSUB is committed to taking the necessary steps to maximize student safety at every program site.
We have protocols and guidelines in place to minimize risk to our student participants:
- We monitor U.S. government advisories, considering both those issued by in-country embassies and consulates and by the U.S. Department of State.
- We are a member of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State.
- We monitor news and intelligence information from a variety of sources around the world.
- We coordinate with a network of international safety and security experts working in higher education institutions around the U.S.
- Our staff are in contact with all students abroad, and students are kept updated on travel warnings or potential threats in their area. We maintain an emergency telephone number for students abroad. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Students attend mandatory pre-departure orientation sessions during which health and safety issues are covered in detail.
In an effort to ensure participant safety abroad, we have compiled a number of health and safety resources and strongly recommend you review each of these areas before traveling abroad.
Pre-departure Orientation
Once students are accepted to the study abroad program, they are required to review the pre-departure orientation slide deck and pass the exit quiz before the departure. The orientation addresses tips to stay safe and healthy while students enjoy the study abroad experiences. It also discusses what students need to do in case of emergency.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol laws and regulations vary by country – from legal drinking age to outright prohibition. It’s important that if you choose to drink, that you do so responsibility and legally.
Health and Accident Insurance
Everyone studying abroad is required to purchase travel abroad health insurance from CSUB’s authorized vendor. Here we explain in detail what this is and how to use it.
Health Tips
A successful trip abroad is a healthy trip abroad. There are important steps to take for your health before and during your trip. We’ve compiled some of the most important tips here.
Illegal Drugs
Similar to alcohol laws, drugs that are illegal in the U.S. might be legal in the country you’re traveling to — or vice versa. It’s vitally important to make sure you are acting responsibly and within the laws of your host country.
Sexual Health Abroad
In addition to good safe sex practices, there are laws and cultural norms in other countries that should also be observed. We’ve compiled some good resources best practices.
Adjusting to Culture
Traveling abroad can be an adjustment — especially if the culture of the host country looks and acts differently than in the U.S. Here we’ve provided some tips on how to be culturally aware and adjust as necessary.
Gender Identity Issues
Your host country may have a different stance on your personal gender identity than here in the U.S. and may play a role in deciding whether you should even visit that country. We’ve listed some external resources to help determine the situation worldwide.
Travel and Safety Advisories
The U.S. State Department plays a significant role in ensuring your safety abroad by providing safety and travel alerts before and during your trip. It’s important that you register your trip with the State Department well in advance. We explain that process here.
Additional Travel Resources
In addition to all of the other resources we’ve provided, there are a number of additional practical and informational resources available from third parties. We’ve provided a list of those here.
Some content above is adapted from Arizona State University Study Abroad Office and is used with permission. Thank you to ASU.