Study Abroad

Study Abroad Pre-departure Information for Students

HEALTH AND SAFETY

ALL TU STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE OVERSEAS MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE.

• Overseas Health Insurance

Staying Safe Abroad

Towson University monitors the safety of locations where students regularly study by tracking Travel Warnings issued by the State Department as well as by keeping current and active with our professional organization, NAFSA. See the Travel Warnings on the State Department’s website.

We recommend that students do not study in locations for which a travel warning has been issued. However, for those students whose academic interests necessitate study in restricted locations, we do require that an additional liability waiver be signed.

In general, students who maintain good common sense and understand the local laws and customs will find themselves living in less dangerous locations than what we are accustomed to in the U.S. Personal theft is the most common crime overseas, and the most dangerous accidents (which rarely occur) are pedestrian accidents, usually attributable to unfamiliarity with traffic laws, e.g.: driving on the left side of the road, pedestrian right of way, and/or those involving alcohol. Because of the sheer number of students going to the UK and Australia, statistics will follow that crossing the street in these locations may be the most dangerous part of study abroad.

Registering with Overseas Embassies

Registering with the U.S. embassy is required of all TU students. Go to the Resources section of our website of our website to link online with the U.S. State department.

Students participating on TU programs and exchanges will be registered by the TU Study Abroad Office.

U.S. consular offices are located at U.S. Embassies and consulates in most countries overseas. They are there to advise and help you, especially if you are in serious trouble of any kind. Some of the ways they can aid you are also explained in the legal requirements section that follows. The Citizens Emergency Center is an arm of the U.S. consular office designed to assist United States citizens in emergency situations.

Help from the U.S. Consul

Consuls cannot do the work of travel agencies, information bureaus, banks or the police. Do not expect them to act as travel couriers or interpreters, to search for missing luggage or to settle disputes with hotel managers. Consuls must devote their time and energy to those Americans who are in serious legal, medical or financial difficulties.

What U.S. officials can do if you break the law is limited by foreign laws, U.S. laws and geography. The U.S. government has no funds for your legal fees or other related expenses. However, you should consult a consular officer if you find yourself in a dispute that could lead to legal or police action.

Although U.S. consular offices cannot serve as attorneys or give legal advice, they can provide lists of local attorneys and help you find adequate legal representation. They will also do whatever they can to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are not discriminated against under local law. They cannot get you out of jail.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED, ask permission to notify the consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

• If you are turned down, keep asking, politely but persistently. American officials will visit you, advise you of your rights according to local laws and contact your family and friends if you ask them.
• If your prison facilities are inadequate, the consulate can transfer money, food and clothing from your family and friends to the prison authorities. Consuls are now permitted to pay (usually subject to reimbursement) for emergency medical care and supplementary food for U.S. prisoners.
• If you need emergency medical care, the duty officer will try to help you get in touch with a doctor of clinic.
• If you become destitute abroad, the U.S. consul will help you get in touch with your family, friends, bank or employer and tell you how to arrange for them to send funds to you.
• If your money is lost or stolen, the consul can advise you on informing the local police and, if the money was in traveler’s checks, on notifying the issuing authority.
• If your passport is lost or stolen, report the loss to the local police and go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate on the next business day to apply for a new one. If you have a police report, photos and proof of identification (or are accompanied by someone who can identify you), a new passport can often be issued the same day.

Legal Requirements Abroad

When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. There are no exceptions, so use good common sense. Develop a cultural and political awareness of your area to avoid inadvertent misunderstanding and political difficulties.

When you enter some countries and when you register at hotels, you may be asked to fill out a police information card listing your name, passport number, destination local address and reason for traveling. In some nations, you will be asked to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight in order that it may be checked by local police officials. These are normal procedures required by local laws.

You should be aware as well that many countries have laws under which you can be held “guilty by associations.” It is wise to avoid others who are in possession of illegal goods of any sort.

Some pointers:

• Deal only with authorized outlets when you exchange money or buy and sell airline tickets and traveler’s checks. Do not exchange money on the black market.
• Avoid areas of unrest and disturbance.
• Do not deliver packages for anyone unless you are certain they do not contain drugs or other prohibited items.
• Become familiar with local regulations before you sell personal effects such as clothing, cameras and jewelry.
• Don’t assume that what is legal in the United States is also legal in other countries. Adhere to local laws strictly. The penalties you risk are severe.

Drug Arrests

Many Americans are now in foreign jail on drug charges. If you are caught with illicit soft or hard drugs overseas, you are subject to local--not U.S.--laws. The penalties for possession are often the same as for trafficking.

If you are arrested, you will find that Few countries provide a jury trial and most countries do not accept bail. Pretrial detention, often in solitary confinement, may last for months while prisons may lack even minimal comforts such as a bed, toilet, or wash basin. Food is often inadequate and requires supplements from relatives and friends. In addition, physical abuse, confiscation of personal property, degrading or inhumane treatment and extortion are not unknown.

If you are convicted you ou may face a sentence of two to ten years in most countries or death in some countries, such as Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey. Very simply, it is a wise choice not to get involved with drugs while you are abroad. The apparent availability of drugs in some countries is illusory; often the dealer from whom you buy will turn you in and be paid by the police for their services.

Avoid incurring the suspicion of authorities. Anyone carrying parsley in a film canister, or pills in a bottle marked “cough syrup,” may be subjected to the painful uncertainty of hours or even days of confinement while the laboratory analysis is completed.

Photography

Some countries are very sensitive and impose strict requirements about what may not be photographed, such as police stations, military posts, etc. Taking a picture of a harbor may seem harmless to you, but it might be construed as a threat to the country’s national security. Before you take out your camera, check for any signs posting restrictions or ask an official if it is okay.

Personal Safety

As you’re preparing for study abroad, remember to make preparations for your personal safety as well. Many travelers fall victim to crimes because it is assumed they are carrying cash, and in an already-foreign environment, they are often easy to distract. Americans are generally easy to spot and therefore easy targets. Try and blend in with the local people. While abroad, you should take the same common-sense safety precautions that you would at home.

Money and Valuables

Do not carry large amounts of cash - carry traveler’s checks and major credit cards instead.

Keep your passport and money safe in a money belt or small purse that can be worn underneath your clothing. Wearing a purse on the outside highlights where you keep money and valuables; moreover, it can easily be cut or ripped from your shoulder. Many thieves will simply grab the bag and run, sometimes breaking arms in the process. If possible, don’t carry a handbag at all. Wrapping rubber bands around your wallet can make it difficult for a pickpocket to remove.

Do not take valuable items on your trip.

Your Passport

Guard carefully at all times your passport, visas and other documents that you carry with you, and do not leave them in the outer flaps of your bags. It is better to have to dig for them the few times you will need them, than to leave them out for anyone to steal.

Before leaving, make a copy of the identification page of your passport. Keep this copy separate from your passport and carry it with you at all times.

If local law does not require you to keep your passport with you, carry only the photocopy of your passport when you are out and about.

When Traveling

• Make sure someone else knows your itinerary.
• When you’re distracted, you’re an easy target for thieves. Do not leave your bags unattended.
• When you’re on the telephone or reading a sign or train schedule, do not forget to keep an eye on your bags. Remember: keep your eyes-and hands-on your bags at all times.
• Be especially alert in crowds. Train stations, crowded shopping areas and tourist spots -- any place with a crowd is likely to be a place for thieves and muggers as well.
• Be careful to whom you give your luggage. Sometimes thieves pose as porters or taxi drivers.
• When you stay at a hotel, make use of the safety deposit boxes that many hotels have. Leave your passport and any money you don’t expect to need that day safely locked away.

Out on the Town

Two are safer than one. Make an effort to meet the locals but DO NOT go with any strangers if you are alone.

Dress to blend in with the local citizens. Find out which parts of town are considered risky by the locals. As in the United States, always stay in well-lit and well-traveled areas. Don’t take short cuts through alleys or unsafe areas.

If you should fall victim to crime, remember that the U.S. Embassy is there to help you. Every embassy and consulate has a duty officer on-call around the clock to assist in an emergency.

Perceptions from Abroad

Students should be aware that political or natural events in their host country might be in the news at home. News accounts often give a distorted picture of events and a false sense of imminent danger to those not on the scene.

• Keep in touch with family and friends and give them your sense of the local situation.
• Use mature judgment in deciding how to deal with any unusual event in your area.
• Be sure that your parents know how to reach the TU Study Abroad Office in case they have particular concerns.

Racial Issues Abroad

In addition to culture shock, students may experience greater acceptance abroad or perhaps encounter discrimination or even racism. While Towson does not tolerate discrimination or racism on the part of the host institutions, whether and to what extent students have such experiences in their dealing with society at large will vary greatly depending on the culture, socioeconomic and political situation of the host country; where the host institution is located within the country; and the education level, perceptions and attitudes of the people they encounter.

In dealing with such issues, try to remember some key points. First, being aware of your own self-image and expectations is very important. In addition, it is possible that other people’s actions might reflect their curiosity about you. Therefore, keep in mind your own cultural assumption when encountering new situations before jumping to conclusions. It is also good to remember that you do have choices in how to deal with these issues. Finally, be aware that the “culture shock” and discrimination you may experience by your fellow foreign students. Should any racial incidents arise, please speak to the program coordinator at your host institution. Should this fail to resolve the situation, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor at Towson.

Being Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Abroad

It is important to be aware of the laws pertaining to homosexuality in other countries, as well as the general attitudes of the populace toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of their community. The countries you visit may be more, or may be less, ‘liberated’ (on a general U.S. scale of values) in these regards but will in all cases be at least somewhat unique. Moreover, whatever the general rule, there will always be pockets of difference and personal idiosyncrasies. Country-specific information is often available from campus offices, personnel, and student groups. You should certainly talk with other students who have been where you will be.

For information on issues and resources pertaining to gay, lesbian, and bisexual travel, you also may want to consult publications available in most bookstores and libraries which carry such literature as Gaia’s Guide, “an international guide for traveling women,” that includes nformation on restaurants, accommodations, travel, and the like; or Sparticus International Gay Guide, which provides listings of hotlines, publications, bars, etc. for gay men throughout the world.

Special Note to Women

Some women students, in certain overseas countries (e.g. South America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe) have a hard time adjusting to attitudes they encounter abroad, in both public and private interactions between men and women. Some (but not all) men in such countries openly demonstrate their appraisal of women in ways that many American women find offensive. It is not uncommon to be honked at, stared at, verbally and loudly appraised, and to be actively noticed for being an American woman. Sometimes the attention can be flattering. However, it may become very annoying, and potentially even angering. Indigenous women, who often get the same sort of treatment, have been taught how to ignore the attention. Many American women students find this hard to do. Eye contact between strangers or a smile at someone passing in the street, which is not uncommon in the States, may result in totally unexpected invitations. Some women feel they are forced to stare intently at the ground while they walk down the street.

You will have to learn what the unwritten rules are about what you can and cannot do abroad. Women can provide support for each other, and former students suggest that you get together several times early in your stay overseas to talk about what works and what doesn’t for dealing with the unwanted attention. American women are seen as “liberated’ in many ways, and sometimes the cultural misunderstandings that come out of this image can lead to difficult and unpleasant experiences.

Staying Healthy Abroad  

Good health is a prerequisite to an enjoyable stay abroad and crucial while you are traveling. You may be exposed to unfamiliar climates, food, medicine, and health care systems. In many cases, a good measure of common sense and a health respect for your own body (and its limitations) will help to avoid medical problems. A few preliminary precautions can spare you a good deal of unpleasantness.

Medical and Dental Check-Ups

Medical and dental checkups prior to your departure are a good idea. It is a good idea to review your travel plans with your physician. Remember: only your physician knows your personal and medical history and can advise you if your situation warrants some alteration of the general preventative guidelines outlined here. Frequently, health statements from your doctor are required to obtain a visa to enter your host country. Be sure to inform the Study Abroad Office if your checkup raises any health issues or concerns not mentioned previously, so that Towson can take steps to accommodate any needs you may have.

Shots and Inoculations 

• Passport Health Travel Clinic
• Towson University Dowell Health Center
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Sometimes students will plan travel to countries with health advisories while they are studying and living in a country without a health advisory. It is your responsibility to inform yourself and take appropriate precautions.

Any inoculation should be recorded with the officially approved stamp on the yellow form “International Certificate of Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization.” Forms or cards that are not properly stamped are not acceptable to health authorities in many countries. Plan to take this vaccination card abroad with you, especially if you plan to visit developing countries.

Since many inoculations require more than one visit to the clinic or cannot be taken in combination with others, it is recommended that you begin your inquiries well in advance of your departure. You may be able to combine your physical checkup with an appointment for inoculations.

Overseas Medical Emergencies

Seek medical assistance immediately! In case of a medical emergency overseas, contact local authorities for help. Staff at the International Office at the university overseas or the local program staff should also be contacted for assistance.

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT), an international nonprofit organization, provides travelers with info about health risks, immunization requirements for all countries, and medical care. It also provides the names of English-speaking doctors in foreign countries – all of whom speak English and have trained in a Western country.

Medic Alert Emblem

Be sure to wear a Medic Alert emblem (recognized internationally) for a specific medical problem. In how many languages can you convince a nurse that you are allergic to a medication and not just afraid of a needle?

Medical Records

While living and traveling abroad, it is a wise precaution to keep personal medical records with you to be used in case of an accident or illness. A good medical record will mention ALL drugs you are taking, including any not related to disease, and identify any chronic ailments, allergies or hypersensitivities. It will also list your immunization history, blood type, eyeglass prescription, personal physician, health insurance (along with the number of the policy) and, if pertinent, your religion. Be sure to make a photocopy of your medical records in case of loss. Carry these documents in a place that is both secure and accessible to you at all times while traveling

Medicines

If you take prescription medicine, you should research whether it is availablein your host country and bring a copy of the prescription for the generic name of the drug. In developed countries, you will need to take only an initial supply of the medication; in most developing countries, you will want to take a supply that will last your entire stay. Your doctor may also recommend medications to bring along if he or she thinks you might be susceptible to a recurrence of a recent illness, infection, or allergy. If you have any favorite over-the-counter remedies that you use, you may want to take an initial or full year’s supply.

IMPORTANT:Some prescription and over-the counter medicines that are readily available in the United States may not be permitted overseas. If you plan on taking any medications with you abroad, check with the host country’s embassy to make sure they are legal to take through customs and use in-country. In some instances you may need to acquire documentation from the host country consulate in the U.S. before you go or switch medications in consultation with your doctor prior to studying abroad.

TIP: For customs purposes, it is best to take all medicines in their original containers. Pack important medicines in the carry-on bag in case the checked luggage is delayed or lost.

Syringes

Syringes can be construed as drug paraphernalia. Bring a doctor’s note if you have to bring them (i.e. if you are a diabetic or require frequent medication by injection, as for allergies) AND check whether you need to acquire documentation from the host country consulate in the US before you go.

Tips on Staying Healthy Abroad

There are a number of precautions you can take while abroad to ensure that you stay healthy. Here are some basic pointers:

• Monitor your health. Do not run yourself into the ground trying to see everything and to sample all the culinary delights. Moderation will pay off in the long run.
• Eat well. This does not mean spending money freely in elegant restaurants, but it does mean eating a well-balanced diet. Note to vegetarians --You may find that maintaining a vegetarian diet abroad can be a challenge since many countries use meat as a staple of their cuisine. It may be difficult to obtain enough quality fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy diet, and meal plans may or may not include vegetarian offerings.

• Be sure to note the fact that you are a vegetarian and/or specify any dietary restrictions to your program coordinator/faculty leader. He or she will make appropriate arrangements for you.
• Research the cuisine and foods offered in your host country.
• You may wish to bring protein powder, vitamins and other dietary supplements with you to ensure good nutrition while abroad.
• You may need to find a tactful way to deal with social situations in which you are offered specially prepared meals that include meat.

• Watch what you eat. Traveling will bring your body in contact with different bacteria, which are not necessarily harmful in themselves, but the change can unsettle your stomach or cause other health problems. Water, including ice cubes, milk, fresh fruit and unwashed, raw vegetables could upset your system until your body adjusts to its new surroundings.
• Take measures to reduce the risk of exposure to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Intimate contact could expose you to different bacteria or viruses that could lead to infections or contraction of STDs, including AIDS.
• Know where to get treatment. When you settle in, find out where health care facilities are and check your IAMAT directory of physicians (see “Overseas Medical Emergencies”) or ask the U.S. Embassy or your host program coordinator for the name of a doctor before the need for medical treatment arises.

AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening illness caused by the human immunodeficiency (HIV). The virus causes the breakdown of the body’s natural immune system, making the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections and diseases, such as cancer.

HIV infection and AIDS have been reported worldwide. Comprehensive systems to monitor the spread of the disease are often lacking in less-developed countries, so the true number of cases of often far more than the number reported. Because HIV infection and AIDS are globally distributed, the risk to international travelers is determined less by their geographic location than by their individual behavior.

Travelers are at risk if they:

• Have unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral-genital) with an infected person wither heterosexual or homosexual.
• Use or allow the use of contaminated syringes or needles for any injections or skin piercing procedures including acupuncture, body or ear piercing, tattooing, use of illicit drugs, steroid injections, or medical or dental procedures.
• Use infected blood, blood components or clotting factor concentrates. AIDS has not been shown to be spread by casual contact, such as living in the same house or sharing eating utensils. You cannot get AIDS by shaking hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing, swimming in pools or from pets, toilets, or telephones. Biting insects do not transmit AIDS. (From the Peace Corps Information Notice and the Surgeon General’s report on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.)

Abstinence is the safest protection against sexual transmission. Travelers should avoid intercourse with a person whose HIV infection status is unknown. Condoms decrease, but do not entirely eliminate, the risk of transmitting HIV. Use of spermicides with condoms may provide additional protection and is recommended. If there is any chance of sexual activity while traveling, bring a supply of condoms and spermicide, since these items may be unavailable or of an inferior quality in some countries. Use condoms made of latex rubber, and never use petroleum-based lubricants, such as Vaseline with them. Remember, the HIV virus is transmitted through contact between bodily fluids including semen, female genital secretions and blood. Avoid sexual activity that may injure body tissues and avoid illegal drug use. Aside from increasing the risk of exposure to HIV, in many countries drug use is subject to particularly stringent laws, including the death penalty.

Another important precaution is to reduce your risk of any serious injury that could require a blood transfusion or invasive medical procedures. When riding in or driving a car, wear your seatbelt. Take time to learn the rules of the roads before driving in an unfamiliar country. Should you require a blood transfusion, injection or other invasive medical procedure, try to ensure that the blood and instruments used are safe. Blood should be tested for HIV antibodies. Ideally, needles and syringes should be of the single-use, disposable type, pre-packaged in a sealed container. Inquire at the local Red Cross or at the US Embassy about blood screening practices in the country and about sources of safe blood. You may want to consider forming a “traveling blood bank” in which a group of people know each other’s blood type and agree to be possible donors for each other. (This assumes of course that all the group members are HIV-negative).

International travelers should be aware that some countries screen incoming travelers (especially those on extended visits and on study abroad programs or exchanges) and prohibit entry of those with AIDS and those who have tested positive for HIV.

Take the time to find out about the requirements and policies of the country or countries to which you will be traveling. This information is usually available from the consular offices of individual countries.

If you should decide to be tested keep in mind the following guidelines:

• The testing process takes at least two weeks.
• Pre and Post- test counseling is recommended and available at most clinics that do HIV anti-body testing.
• Testing anonymously safeguards your privacy. Should you need a doctor’s certificate, you can always have the test done again.

Alcoholism

There is much debate about whether alcoholism is a disease, a physical illness or an emotional dependency and whether it is genetically determined or not. An alcoholic’s drinking habits affect his or her life in a negative way, disrupting physical and emotional health, interfering with work, schoolwork, friendships and family stability. In general, it should be assumed that an alcoholic has an illness – although his or her behavior while under the influence may be “out of control” the individual is ill, not lazy or indolent.

There are many ways to achieve recovery from alcoholism, among them psychotherapy, behavior therapy and counseling, including group therapy and “12-step” therapies such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Alcoholics Anonymous strives to have alcoholics reach and maintain physical, emotional and spiritual recovery from alcohol. Although some alcoholics consider themselves “former alcoholics”, completely recovered from the disease and even able to have an occasional drink, participants in AA, considered one of the most successful alcohol-recovery programs, hold a different opinion of recovery. AA promotes the belief that an individual recovering from alcoholism is forever “in recovery” and must be diligent in maintaining sobriety and emotional health.

While studying abroad, recovered alcoholics participating in AA’s 12-step program may be able to continue attending meetings if they wish. The World Services Office of Alcoholics Anonymous has information about services abroad.

World Services provides a directory of international AA meetings for a minimal cost. The directory provides information about AA’s services around the world. Only members of AA may request the directory.

Students may find that AA meetings abroad are different than those they attend in the United States, and meetings may or may not be conducted in English. Differences in such meetings are another reflection of the cultural norms that vary from country to country. Despite the differences, attending meetings abroad does provide moral support.

The normal stresses of cultural adjustment are always challenging and sometimes difficult to handle. if you feel that your recovery may be put in jeopardy by adjustment to the new culture, do no hesitate to ask questions or seek information from your host coordinator regarding support services for alcoholics. Your host program or exchange coordinator can also help you with matters specific to the country in which you study. For example, in some cultures, alcohol is a major part of many meals and activities. Your host coordinator may help you explain how to refuse offers of alcohol without offending your hosts or having to explain your alcoholism if you do not wish to do so. In addition, he or she can also assist with terms to help you discuss your alcoholism in your host country’s language.

By sticking to your program, you can maintain your recovery while abroad and enjoy your study abroad experience.

Study Abroad Office
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2451

Fax: 410-704-4703
Email: studyabroad@towson.edu