Safety Issues

Your personal safety while you are away from home is a very important consideration, to you, to your family and friends, to your program sponsor and to Allegheny College. In this spirit, we offer some thoughts and some advice, some of which has changed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
The U.S. Department of State issued another "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement on February 6, 2003. All the announcements underscore the importance for Americans living and traveling overseas to remain vigilant and security conscious. The text of the announcements is available on the U.S. Department of State web site: http://travel.state.gov/. Please note that these cautionary messages are not "travel warnings." Cautions from the State Department remind us to be careful. Warnings tell us it may be best not to go to certain places for specific reasons. The difference is real and is important.

Below are listed guidelines for personal safety and policies in case of emergency.

A. PERSONAL SAFETY

It is important to remember that travel to another country is not inherently dangerous. However, no matter where you go, you inevitably stand out as a stranger, a "tourist," and therefore as a target to the local criminal. And while you should use "common sense", you cannot always rely on your seemingly instinctive knowledge of danger, of what is permissible, of what is and isn't asking for trouble, as you do at home. You don't know enough yet about the new environment. Therefore, in general, the most useful things you can do are listed below.

1. BE INFORMED, WATCH AND LEARN WHAT THE LOCALS ARE DOING
If they do not go out after 9 p.m. without an escort, you shouldn't either. If they walk with an escort or don't carry large purses or do not put their wallets in their back pockets, you should follow their lead. Ask questions of resource people, like your host family, your resident director, or your contact person at the international study office, if you are uncertain. Read newspapers, listen to local TV/radio, and consult the U.S. Consulate. Stay away from demonstrations or other public gatherings, which might become violent. Leave any place that seems unfriendly or threatening. Look for police or other figures of authority and ask for help or advice.

2. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE AND YOUR STREET SKILLS
If you wouldn't camp out in a city park in the United States, then be circumspect about doing it elsewhere. Look confident, plan your route, don't make yourself a target, dress appropriately for the cultural context. Avoid walking alone at night.

3. BE CAUTIOUS AND WATCHFUL OF YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Pickpockets can be extremely adept. Don't carry valuables in a backpack, never carry large amounts of cash. Never leave bags unattended. Bring and use a lock. Take only as much luggage as you can carry, and never let it out of your sight. Cooperate with security measures at airports and train stations; it may be burdensome, but keep in mind why security is tight. NEVER accept luggage or packages from a stranger, avoid abandoned packages in the airport or elsewhere and report them to authorities.

4. COPY THE IMPORTANT PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT
Keep these in a safe place, separate from the original. Leave a copy at home in the U.S., should you need to replace it (check with the closest U.S. Consulate). Keep your passport, travel tickets, travelers checks in a money belt or inside pouch, not in your backpack. When you don't need your passport, carry the copy.

5. GET A ROUND-TRIP TICKET
We strongly recommend your studying abroad with a round-trip ticket. Although you may incur costs if you change your return date, at least you won't be scrambling to get a ticket at the last minute for the return flight.

6. BE INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL TRAFFIC RULES AND ROAD CONDITIONS
The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) statistics indicate that the single greatest cause of death and serious injury abroad is road accidents, far exceeding the number of deaths resulting from disease, violence or terrorism. Avoid car or bus travel at night; use a seat belt where possible.

7. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE IN A DIFFERENT CULTURE!
While this may seem obvious, sometimes it's not so clear what the implications are. Very often, the excitement and the problems of traveling come from the same source. That is, the fact that even daily routines abroad may be different than daily routines at home lends excitement to otherwise mundane activities. However, "culture shock" surfaces when things or events that are similar have different meanings or implications (e.g., smiling at strangers, wearing particular clothes, going out with members of the same or opposite sex). For example, a common situation in most countries is that a lower age for legal alcohol consumption may be exciting for Americans, but it's no big deal in the host culture, especially where alcohol is considered an integral part of the cuisine. Allegheny policy requires you to abide by local law, but especially in the case of alcohol, this may mean not only knowing the local law, but also understanding the different "norms" about drinking. This means that while it's appropriate that you have a glass of wine at lunch in France, it doesn't mean that it's acceptable to come to class after lunch inebriated. Take it slow before taking on pieces of a new culture without understanding the whole fabric!!!

B. SPECIAL CAUTION TO WOMEN

1. LEARN QUICKLY THOSE LOCAL SITUATIONS WHERE YOU MIGHT BE HARASSED OR MOLESTED
In many places, you may have to contend with the local notion that as an American woman you are immodest, promiscuous, and wanton.

2. ASK LOCAL WOMEN WHAT TO EXPECT
Find out which non-verbal messages (eye contact, tone, gestures, dress) to avoid.

3. STRIVE TO BLEND IN, BE DISCREET
When socializing, have a "buddy" with you, keep aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and always carry money and the phone number for a taxi home, if needed.

4. DISCUSS SEXUAL HARASSMENT WITH FORMER STUDENTS AND TALK WITH THE PROGRAM STAFF, IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN
If you are verbally hassled on the street, the best path is to ignore it, unless you are touched or your safety is threatened.

5. BUY A CELL PHONE once you are on-site and be clear as to its calling range (local, international, intercontinental).

6. LEARN the local equivalent to "911".

C. AS AMERICANS

Millions of Americans have traveled without incident during the past ten years, but we would like to emphasize standard precautions given to students going abroad.

1. AVOID GOING TO PLACES IDENTIFIED AS AMERICAN HANGOUTS, like US military bases and the restaurants and nightclubs nearby or large tourist hotels that cater to Americans or are run by American companies.

2. WHEN GOING THROUGH AIRPORTS OR TRAIN STATIONS, STAY OUT OF THE ENTRY AREAS AND GO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO SECURED AREAS, e.g., gates or train platforms, where only ticketed customers are allowed.

3. DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TOURIST, i.e., don't wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, or baseball caps with American logos, like a college name or the name of a city. Don't wear your camera around your neck.

4. CHECK WITH THE U.S. CONSULATE UPON ENTERING (OR BEFORE YOU GO TO) A LARGE CITY to ask about any local unrest or for advice about areas to avoid.

5. MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OR CONTACT AT YOUR PROGRAM SITE. Let them know of your travel itinerary.

6. CONSIDER OBTAINING A CELL TELEPHONE. Make sure you know whether its range is local, regional, international and/or intercontinental. Make sure you know how to dial the local equivalent of "911".

7. MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH "HOME" so parents and others are assured of your safety. CONTACT THOSE FOLKS ESPECIALLY IF AN EVENT OCCURS (e.g., earthquake, strike, demonstrations, bombing) IN YOUR AREA - LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE OK.

8. LEARN the local equivalent to "911".

D. CASES OF EMERGENCY: POLICIES IN CASE OF POLITICAL OR SOCIAL UNREST, TERRORISM, AND THE THREAT OF WAR

In addition to the personal safety concerns noted above, we are often asked about our policies in dealing with political or social unrest, terrorism, and the threat of war. Allegheny College is concerned about the safety of students at all of our study abroad program sites.

Those of you who are participating in programs sponsored by a program provider other than Allegheny College (e.g., Boston U or an independent program) should be aware of the contingency plans of that program.

For students on programs directly administered by Allegheny (e.g., James Cook University, exchange program in South Africa), please read below for our policies and guidelines.

In general, the International Office:

1. Provides you the name, address, and telephone number of the program director or contact in your host country.

2. Provides you the Web address for the United States Department of State's Consular Information Sheets. You should consult the Consular Information Sheet for the country where you are going. It provides health and safety information which we want and expect you to know. This information is regularly updated on the Web at: www.travel.state.gov

3. Registers you with the US embassy or consulate in the country where you are studying.

4. Stays in close contact with the on-site program providers or international office. We balance the knowledge and experience of those who live in the area and have worked with US students with the information provided by US government officials.

5. Determines what actions can reasonably foster the safety of students by monitoring events such as:

· Changes in State Department announcements regarding program country/region/city
· Recommendations of US Embassy in country
· Declaration of war by the US against the country where the program is located or an adjacent neighbor
· Declaration of war by a third country against the country of the programs location
· Significant violence and/or terrorist activity in the program city
· Protracted or indefinite closure of the program/host university
· Disruption of public utilities and/or services
· Widespread civil unrest and/or rioting in the program site or region
· A declaration of martial law in the program city
· Feasibility of travel, whether to another site or return to the US

6. Reviews any US State Department Travel Warnings and consults the on-site program director. Should the State Department prohibit travel to a certain country and/or ask American government dependents to leave that country, we will carefully review the situation and inform you of Allegheny's program decision. Should Allegheny cancel the program, students who choose to remain in unsettled areas will do so at their own risk.

E. WITHDRAWAL FROM PROGRAM (review from release form)

Your participation may be interrupted voluntarily (e.g., you decide you don't like the program) or involuntarily (e.g., Allegheny cancels the program due to a crisis). Allegheny will respond differently in each case, depending on the timing and reason for program participation interruption. If the interruption occurs after the Allegheny semester has started, we will do our best to place you in classes at Allegheny. However, there is no guarantee in which classes you may enroll. The farther we are into the semester, the more difficult it may be to place you, and it may be that you will not be able to return to classes at Allegheny. Should Allegheny cancel the program after the semester has begun, and it is impossible for you to enroll in classes, we will do our best to facilitate independent study credit (no more than 8 hours) for that semester. Refund of program fees is not guaranteed: it also depends on the timing and reason for program interruption, and is dependent on any refund we may obtain from the program provider or host institution.

For more information on personal safety abroad, here are a few useful Websites:
1. U.S. Department of State: this has information on US consulates overseas, Travelers Guidelines, etc. http://studentsabroad.state.gov/
2. Global Access, a Network for Disabled Travelers http://www.globalaccessnews.com/
3. Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide and Resources http://www.ciee.org/program_resources/knowledge/identity.aspx
4. Centers for Disease Control http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
5. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) at the U.S.Department of State http://www.osac.gov/

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Safety Issues
EMERGENCY 24/7 CONTACT NUMBER: ALLEGHENY SECURITY (814) 332-3357
Your personal safety while you are away from home is a very important consideration, to you, to your family and friends, to your program sponsor and to Allegheny College. In this spirit, we offer some thoughts and some advice, some of which has changed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The U.S. Department of State issued another "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement on February 6, 2003. All the announcements underscore the importance for Americans living and traveling overseas to remain vigilant and security conscious. The text of the announcements is available on the U.S. Department of State web site: http://travel.state.gov/. Please note that these cautionary messages are not "travel warnings." Cautions from the State Department remind us to be careful. Warnings tell us it may be best not to go to certain places for specific reasons. The difference is real and is important. Below are listed guidelines for personal safety and policies in case of emergency. A. PERSONAL SAFETY It is important to remember that travel to another country is not inherently dangerous. However, no matter where you go, you inevitably stand out as a stranger, a "tourist," and therefore as a target to the local criminal. And while you should use "common sense", you cannot always rely on your seemingly instinctive knowledge of danger, of what is permissible, of what is and isn't asking for trouble, as you do at home. You don't know enough yet about the new environment. Therefore, in general, the most useful things you can do are listed below. 1. BE INFORMED, WATCH AND LEARN WHAT THE LOCALS ARE DOING If they do not go out after 9 p.m. without an escort, you shouldn't either. If they walk with an escort or don't carry large purses or do not put their wallets in their back pockets, you should follow their lead. Ask questions of resource people, like your host family, your resident director, or your contact person at the international study office, if you are uncertain. Read newspapers, listen to local TV/radio, and consult the U.S. Consulate. Stay away from demonstrations or other public gatherings, which might become violent. Leave any place that seems unfriendly or threatening. Look for police or other figures of authority and ask for help or advice. 2. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE AND YOUR STREET SKILLS If you wouldn't camp out in a city park in the United States, then be circumspect about doing it elsewhere. Look confident, plan your route, don't make yourself a target, dress appropriately for the cultural context. Avoid walking alone at night. 3. BE CAUTIOUS AND WATCHFUL OF YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS Pickpockets can be extremely adept. Don't carry valuables in a backpack, never carry large amounts of cash. Never leave bags unattended. Bring and use a lock. Take only as much luggage as you can carry, and never let it out of your sight. Cooperate with security measures at airports and train stations; it may be burdensome, but keep in mind why security is tight. NEVER accept luggage or packages from a stranger, avoid abandoned packages in the airport or elsewhere and report them to authorities. 4. COPY THE IMPORTANT PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT Keep these in a safe place, separate from the original. Leave a copy at home in the U.S., should you need to replace it (check with the closest U.S. Consulate). Keep your passport, travel tickets, travelers checks in a money belt or inside pouch, not in your backpack. When you don't need your passport, carry the copy. 5. GET A ROUND-TRIP TICKET We strongly recommend your studying abroad with a round-trip ticket. Although you may incur costs if you change your return date, at least you won't be scrambling to get a ticket at the last minute for the return flight. 6. BE INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL TRAFFIC RULES AND ROAD CONDITIONS The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) statistics indicate that the single greatest cause of death and serious injury abroad is road accidents, far exceeding the number of deaths resulting from disease, violence or terrorism. Avoid car or bus travel at night; use a seat belt where possible. 7. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE IN A DIFFERENT CULTURE! While this may seem obvious, sometimes it's not so clear what the implications are. Very often, the excitement and the problems of traveling come from the same source. That is, the fact that even daily routines abroad may be different than daily routines at home lends excitement to otherwise mundane activities. However, "culture shock" surfaces when things or events that are similar have different meanings or implications (e.g., smiling at strangers, wearing particular clothes, going out with members of the same or opposite sex). For example, a common situation in most countries is that a lower age for legal alcohol consumption may be exciting for Americans, but it's no big deal in the host culture, especially where alcohol is considered an integral part of the cuisine. Allegheny policy requires you to abide by local law, but especially in the case of alcohol, this may mean not only knowing the local law, but also understanding the different "norms" about drinking. This means that while it's appropriate that you have a glass of wine at lunch in France, it doesn't mean that it's acceptable to come to class after lunch inebriated. Take it slow before taking on pieces of a new culture without understanding the whole fabric!!! B. SPECIAL CAUTION TO WOMEN 1. LEARN QUICKLY THOSE LOCAL SITUATIONS WHERE YOU MIGHT BE HARASSED OR MOLESTED In many places, you may have to contend with the local notion that as an American woman you are immodest, promiscuous, and wanton. 2. ASK LOCAL WOMEN WHAT TO EXPECT Find out which non-verbal messages (eye contact, tone, gestures, dress) to avoid. 3. STRIVE TO BLEND IN, BE DISCREET When socializing, have a "buddy" with you, keep aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and always carry money and the phone number for a taxi home, if needed. 4. DISCUSS SEXUAL HARASSMENT WITH FORMER STUDENTS AND TALK WITH THE PROGRAM STAFF, IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN If you are verbally hassled on the street, the best path is to ignore it, unless you are touched or your safety is threatened. 5. BUY A CELL PHONE once you are on-site and be clear as to its calling range (local, international, intercontinental). 6. LEARN the local equivalent to "911". C. AS AMERICANS Millions of Americans have traveled without incident during the past ten years, but we would like to emphasize standard precautions given to students going abroad. 1. AVOID GOING TO PLACES IDENTIFIED AS AMERICAN HANGOUTS, like US military bases and the restaurants and nightclubs nearby or large tourist hotels that cater to Americans or are run by American companies. 2. WHEN GOING THROUGH AIRPORTS OR TRAIN STATIONS, STAY OUT OF THE ENTRY AREAS AND GO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO SECURED AREAS, e.g., gates or train platforms, where only ticketed customers are allowed. 3. DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TOURIST, i.e., don't wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, or baseball caps with American logos, like a college name or the name of a city. Don't wear your camera around your neck. 4. CHECK WITH THE U.S. CONSULATE UPON ENTERING (OR BEFORE YOU GO TO) A LARGE CITY to ask about any local unrest or for advice about areas to avoid. 5. MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OR CONTACT AT YOUR PROGRAM SITE. Let them know of your travel itinerary. 6. CONSIDER OBTAINING A CELL TELEPHONE. Make sure you know whether its range is local, regional, international and/or intercontinental. Make sure you know how to dial the local equivalent of "911". 7. MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH "HOME" so parents and others are assured of your safety. CONTACT THOSE FOLKS ESPECIALLY IF AN EVENT OCCURS (e.g., earthquake, strike, demonstrations, bombing) IN YOUR AREA - LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE OK. 8. LEARN the local equivalent to "911". D. CASES OF EMERGENCY: POLICIES IN CASE OF POLITICAL OR SOCIAL UNREST, TERRORISM, AND THE THREAT OF WAR In addition to the personal safety concerns noted above, we are often asked about our policies in dealing with political or social unrest, terrorism, and the threat of war. Allegheny College is concerned about the safety of students at all of our study abroad program sites. Those of you who are participating in programs sponsored by a program provider other than Allegheny College (e.g., Boston U or an independent program) should be aware of the contingency plans of that program. For students on programs directly administered by Allegheny (e.g., James Cook University, exchange program in South Africa), please read below for our policies and guidelines. In general, the International Office: 1. Provides you the name, address, and telephone number of the program director or contact in your host country. 2. Provides you the Web address for the United States Department of State's Consular Information Sheets. You should consult the Consular Information Sheet for the country where you are going. It provides health and safety information which we want and expect you to know. This information is regularly updated on the Web at: www.travel.state.gov 3. Registers you with the US embassy or consulate in the country where you are studying. 4. Stays in close contact with the on-site program providers or international office. We balance the knowledge and experience of those who live in the area and have worked with US students with the information provided by US government officials. 5. Determines what actions can reasonably foster the safety of students by monitoring events such as: · Changes in State Department announcements regarding program country/region/city · Recommendations of US Embassy in country · Declaration of war by the US against the country where the program is located or an adjacent neighbor · Declaration of war by a third country against the country of the programs location · Significant violence and/or terrorist activity in the program city · Protracted or indefinite closure of the program/host university · Disruption of public utilities and/or services · Widespread civil unrest and/or rioting in the program site or region · A declaration of martial law in the program city · Feasibility of travel, whether to another site or return to the US 6. Reviews any US State Department Travel Warnings and consults the on-site program director. Should the State Department prohibit travel to a certain country and/or ask American government dependents to leave that country, we will carefully review the situation and inform you of Allegheny's program decision. Should Allegheny cancel the program, students who choose to remain in unsettled areas will do so at their own risk. E. WITHDRAWAL FROM PROGRAM (review from release form) Your participation may be interrupted voluntarily (e.g., you decide you don't like the program) or involuntarily (e.g., Allegheny cancels the program due to a crisis). Allegheny will respond differently in each case, depending on the timing and reason for program participation interruption. If the interruption occurs after the Allegheny semester has started, we will do our best to place you in classes at Allegheny. However, there is no guarantee in which classes you may enroll. The farther we are into the semester, the more difficult it may be to place you, and it may be that you will not be able to return to classes at Allegheny. Should Allegheny cancel the program after the semester has begun, and it is impossible for you to enroll in classes, we will do our best to facilitate independent study credit (no more than 8 hours) for that semester. Refund of program fees is not guaranteed: it also depends on the timing and reason for program interruption, and is dependent on any refund we may obtain from the program provider or host institution. For more information on personal safety abroad, here are a few useful Websites: 1. U.S. Department of State: this has information on US consulates overseas, Travelers Guidelines, etc. http://studentsabroad.state.gov/ 2. Global Access, a Network for Disabled Travelers http://www.globalaccessnews.com/ 3. Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide and Resources http://www.ciee.org/program_resources/knowledge/identity.aspx 4. Centers for Disease Control http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx 5. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) at the U.S.Department of State http://www.osac.gov/
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For further information, please schedule an appointment with the program advisor by contacting Linda Litzinger in the International Office. Phone: 814-332-4891 Email:llitzing@allegheny.edu