With all of the events of previous years – Sept. 11 attacks and the subsequent war on terrorism and Iraq – the climate for global travel has changed, and increased security and stricter regulations are now a regular procedure. But despite the climate of heightened security around the world, Ohio State students continue to study abroad.
Approximately 220 students are studying abroad this quarter alone, and yearly totals range from 1,100 to 1,200 students. The Office of International Education has implemented many safeguards to protect study abroad students because their safety is a major concern for the university.
One of OIE’s biggest precautions is ensuring all students are registered with the U.S. Embassy in the country in which they are studying. This is to inform the country of the students’ presence and ensure a record of each student is kept. Host institutions also are registered as having study abroad students.
OIE remains conscious of current world tensions and will not continue programs in countries where there is perceived to be a strong threat.
“We monitor, very carefully, regular updates on different regions of the world provided by the state department. University policy is never to send students to a country for which there is currently a travel warning,” said Grace Johnson, assistant director for international education.
Israel’s travel warning, which was issued prior to the Sept. 11 attacks, has suspended three study abroad programs. In the past, India also has had a travel warning, and programs in Egypt were suspended during the bombing of Afghanistan. Short-term programs also have been temporarily suspended because of public announcement advisories that state possible tensions, such as trade agreement protests. Not all of the Middle East has received such warnings, and programs in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey continue.
OIE places a great emphasis on personal safety, highlighting that student awareness is a large agent of prevention. The staff provides a student handbook and pre-departure orientation, which encourage students to be conscious of the norms, dress code and appropriate behavior while in foreign countries.
Students who look like a tourist may be an easy target, so blending in is one of the biggest ways to ensure personal safety. Johnson recommends leaving the shirts that read “USA” in bold, bright letters at home.
“Be a good guest – not loud in dress or behavior,” Johnson said.
Host institutions also have vested interests in protecting students through their own orientation session and post-Sept. 11 plans of action and procedures. During their orientations, students are informed how to travel and which areas are unsafe.
“They realize it’s important that students aren’t hurt,” said Jenny Kraft, OIE coordinator.
A site visit to each area is performed by OSU staff or faculty to ensure things like hotels are in safe neighborhoods, said Serif Barsoum, OIE assistant director and coordinator for South Africa and Egypt.
Johnson said there have been no reports of violence, and most incidents are thefts.
As part of their safety measures, OIE provides students with a 24-hour emergency phone number students can use if there is a problem. An OIE staff member will then explain step-by-step actions the student should take, and there are also OSU resident directors present to aid students.
Regardless, knowledge remains the best protection.
“We really encourage students (that) the more you know about the country, the better – really learn about the country, understand, read some newspapers, go on the Web,” Johnson said.
