UT INTERNATIONAL TRAVELSpring 2011

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is

yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

Pre-Departure Forms

For Students participating in:

International internships

International practicum’s

International research

International service learning

International volunteer work

Follow this process:

http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/ITR/processa.html

Forms in MY SAO

Pre-Departure Forms

For Students participating in:

International travel with registered or sponsored student organizations

International travel to meetings and conferences that are academically related

Follow this process:

http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/ITR/processb.html

STOP!

If you will be traveling to a country on UT’s Restricted Regions List you MUST seek approval from UT’s International Oversight Committee (IOC) prior to travel.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/health/suspension.html

Health & Safety Abroad

Let’s Focus on:

Good Resources

Preparing for an Emergency

Responding to an Emergency

Tips for Safe Travels

Resources

International SOS www.internationalsos.com(Member ID: 11BSGC000037)

UT’s emergency assistance provider

US State Department www.travel.state.gov

Find country-specific information

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov/travel

Advice on vaccines, medications, etc.

US Embassies & Consulates www.usembassy.gov

Connect with local Embassy

International SOS

UT System provides all students and faculty with access to International SOS, an international emergency assistance service. This is not insurance. Rather, it is a global 24-hour help line that will help you:

locate hospitals or pharmacies

identify English speaking health professionals

request emergency medical assistance, including evacuation

coordinate payment of medical services (if insurance provider cannot assist)

Their website allows you to upload your travel itineraries and any pertinent health information so that doctors may access it internationally in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Preparation

Be knowledgeable –do all your research pre-departure

Get acquainted with region-specific health/safety concerns Diseases or parasites

Access to clean water

Cell phone coverage

Crime rates and trends –kidnapping, ATM scams, assaults, etc.

Civil unrest…

Distribute your emergency info to people at home

ALWAYS carry info that will help YOU in the event of a crisis

Rehearse what to do in an actual emergency situation –have an EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Emergency Preparation, cont’d

Suggested documents to bring with you:

Copy of Passport and Visa

Emergency Contact Info

Copy of Insurance Card

International SOS Card (available on SOS website)

Copy of Home (and/or International) Drivers License

Items to have with you at all times:

Communication Device (mobile phone, PDA, calling card…)

Funds (Local, USD, credit/debit card)

First Aid Kit

A Few Safety Tips

Make Copies(Passport, license, credit cards numbers, etc)

Keep a Low “American Profile”

Tourists are often preyed upon –adapt to the culture

Have Street Smarts

Use the same logic you would at home

Trust your instincts

Move away from uncomfortable situations

When in doubt, play it safe

Money

Never carry large amounts of cash on you. ATM cards are great for accessing cash abroad

Learn the Laws of the Land

You are subject to the laws and regulations of that country’s legal system

If you are arrested, there is very little that UT or the US Embassy can do for you

Emergency Action Plan

STEP 1: Remain Calm - Remember, UT has resources to help you

STEP 2: Assess the Situation - Is this a true emergency?

STEP 3: Take Action - Assess the situation and decide whom tocontact for immediate assistance

STEP 4: Get in Touch

Update your local contacts

International SOS &Health Insurance

Can help coordinate medical response

SOS will make contact with the UT

STEP 5: Monitor Situation

#1 Health/Safety Tip

Focus on what you can control & prepare for what you can’t…

….and safe travels!

Questions? www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/ITR/index.html

Email us:

liah@austin.utexas.edu