SAFETY ABROADSAFETY ABROADPrePre--departuredepartureBriefingBriefing

December 17 2004December 17 2004

PPresented by: resented by: The International Programs OfficeThe International Programs Office

How To Reach Us:How To Reach Us:

International Programs International Programs OfficeOffice

NH, Rm. 1043NH, Rm. 1043

DREW KNIGHTDREW KNIGHT -- ext. 2288ext. 2288Email: dknight@uwaterloo.caEmail: dknight@uwaterloo.ca

MARIA LANGO MARIA LANGO -- ext. 3999ext. 3999Email: mlango@uwaterloo.caEmail: mlango@uwaterloo.ca

UW POLICE UW POLICE -- ext. 4911ext. 4911

Resources and Requirements Resources and Requirements Prior to DeparturePrior to Departure

ReviewReview Your Safety First: PreYour Safety First: Pre--Departure Information Departure Information for Students Going Abroadfor Students Going Abroadwww.research.uwaterloo.ca/intl/predeparture.htmwww.research.uwaterloo.ca/intl/predeparture.htmRegisterRegister at a Canadian Consul Office Abroadat a Canadian Consul Office Abroadhttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapagehttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage--en.aspen.aspReviewReview Country ProfilesCountry Profileshttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/profileshttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/profiles--en.aspen.asp

SubmitSubmit: UW Risk and Responsibility Form: UW Risk and Responsibility FormSubmitSubmit: UW Emergency Information Sheet: UW Emergency Information Sheet

PrePre--departure Briefingdeparture BriefingIntroductionIntroduction

AgendaAgendaPrePre--departure Kitdeparture KitResponsibilities of StudentsResponsibilities of StudentsResponsibilities of AdvisorsResponsibilities of AdvisorsResponsibilities of UniversityResponsibilities of University

PrePre--departure Briefingdeparture BriefingAgendaAgenda

Shared Responsibilities Shared Responsibilities Health and SafetyHealth and SafetyRisk ManagementRisk ManagementPrePre--Departure ChecklistsDeparture ChecklistsTravel Travel Host Country/Institution ResearchHost Country/Institution ResearchCultural AdaptationCultural AdaptationReRe--EntryEntryEvaluationEvaluation

Student ResponsibilitiesStudent ResponsibilitiesAbide by UW and Government policies, procedures and Abide by UW and Government policies, procedures and directivesdirectivesHost country research: language, culture, customsHost country research: language, culture, customsHost institution research: academic, workHost institution research: academic, work2 stage mandatory pre2 stage mandatory pre--departure briefingsdeparture briefingsAdvise university of potential health issuesAdvise university of potential health issuesMaintain adequate health insuranceMaintain adequate health insuranceRegister at a Canadian Consul office abroadRegister at a Canadian Consul office abroadMonitor DFAIT travel advisoriesMonitor DFAIT travel advisoriesRespect local laws and customsRespect local laws and customsNotify university of emergency situationsNotify university of emergency situationsValid contact information abroadValid contact information abroadPersonal risk assessment (location dependent)Personal risk assessment (location dependent)

Advisor ResponsibilitiesAdvisor Responsibilities

Ensure information on host institution Ensure information on host institution /program is up to date/program is up to dateProvide program and location specific Provide program and location specific prepre--departure briefings departure briefings Monitor DFAIT travel advisoriesMonitor DFAIT travel advisoriesMaintain communication links with Maintain communication links with student/host partnerstudent/host partnerCoordinate deCoordinate de--briefingsbriefingsOn going program evaluation and On going program evaluation and improvementsimprovements

International Programs Office International Programs Office ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Monitor institutional agreements, midMonitor institutional agreements, mid--term term assessmentsassessmentsProvide generic preProvide generic pre--departure briefingsdeparture briefingsDisseminate safety abroad resources to Disseminate safety abroad resources to students, advisors and administrative students, advisors and administrative appointmentsappointmentsCentral data base of student recordsCentral data base of student recordsMonitor DFAIT Travel Advisories and Monitor DFAIT Travel Advisories and inform students and advisorsinform students and advisorsDevelop risk management protocols Develop risk management protocols Coordinate reportingCoordinate reporting

University ResponsibilitiesUniversity ResponsibilitiesProgram approvalsProgram approvalsPolicy approvalsPolicy approvalsEmergency response mechanisms Emergency response mechanisms (4911)(4911)Senior level commitment to risk Senior level commitment to risk management programs, policies and management programs, policies and procedures in Student Abroad procedures in Student Abroad programsprogramsGeneral due diligenceGeneral due diligence

Taking risksTaking risks

Enjoy but take some precautionsEnjoy but take some precautions

Be careful who you trustBe careful who you trust

Risk ManagementRisk Management““Risk Management is an interactive process Risk Management is an interactive process

consisting of wellconsisting of well--defined steps which, defined steps which, taken in sequence, support better taken in sequence, support better decisiondecision--making by contributing a greater making by contributing a greater insight into risk and their impacts.”insight into risk and their impacts.”

“The Risk Management process can be “The Risk Management process can be applied to any situation where an applied to any situation where an undesired or unexpected outcome could undesired or unexpected outcome could be significant.”be significant.”

Australian StandardAustralian Standard

Classifications of RisksClassifications of Risks

Natural HazardsNatural Hazardse.g. Avalanche, earthquake, vermine.g. Avalanche, earthquake, vermin

Environmental Environmental e.g. Contamination, pollution, biohazardse.g. Contamination, pollution, biohazards

HealthHealthe.g. Diseasee.g. Disease

Classifications of Classifications of Risks(Cont’d)Risks(Cont’d)

Occupational Health & Occupational Health & SafetySafety

e.g. Inadequate safety measures or traininge.g. Inadequate safety measures or training

TechnologicalTechnologicale.g. Explosion, travele.g. Explosion, travel

Security Security e.g. Vandalism, thefte.g. Vandalism, theft

Classifications of Classifications of Risks(Cont’d)Risks(Cont’d)

Human/PoliticalHuman/Politicale.g. Riots, sabotage, assaultse.g. Riots, sabotage, assaults

EconomicEconomice.g. Explosion, travele.g. Explosion, travel

Legal Legal e.g. Contracts, negligencee.g. Contracts, negligence

Personal Risk AssessmentPersonal Risk AssessmentRiskRisk PrecautionsPrecautions ResourcesResources

Injury/Field Injury/Field TripTrip

*pre*pre--assessment of assessment of location (hazard maps)location (hazard maps)*buddy system*buddy system*inform local officials*inform local officials

*local guides*local guides*first aid training *first aid training coursecourse*emergency evacuation *emergency evacuation planplan

Lab AccidentsLab Accidents *safety audits*safety audits*equipment inspection*equipment inspection*specialized training*specialized training

*safety *safety standards/manualsstandards/manuals*professional *professional supervisionsupervision

Local DiseaseLocal Disease *vaccinations*vaccinations*area avoidance*area avoidance*know local conditions*know local conditions

*costs of vaccinations*costs of vaccinations*expert consultation*expert consultation*evacuation plan *evacuation plan

““I picked I picked up some up some stones stones …. and …. and

ended up ended up in jail for in jail for

three three monthsmonths!”!”

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

HEALTHHEALTHHealth and accident insuranceHealth and accident insurance––www.hr.uwaterloo.ca/student.htmlwww.hr.uwaterloo.ca/student.html–– (UW Health Plan)(UW Health Plan)

Proof of vaccinationsProof of vaccinationsMedicationsMedicationsHealth checkHealth check--upupDrugs/alcoholDrugs/alcohol

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

HEALTH (cont’dHEALTH (cont’d))Emergency contactEmergency contactFirst Aid KitFirst Aid KitInternational Association forInternational Association forMedical Assistance for Travelers Medical Assistance for Travelers (IAMAT)(IAMAT)

www.iamat.org/www.iamat.org/

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

TRAVELTRAVELMailing & email addressMailing & email addressFlight bookingsFlight bookingsDriver’s license/rail pass/phone cardDriver’s license/rail pass/phone cardInternational student card/Youth International student card/Youth hostelhostel

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

CITIZENSHIPCITIZENSHIPLetter of IntroductionLetter of IntroductionPassportPassportVisas/Research/Work PermitsVisas/Research/Work PermitsCanadian EmbassyCanadian Embassy–– http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_

homehome--en.aspen.asp

Cultural AmbassadorCultural Ambassador

Register with Foreign Affairs Register with Foreign Affairs and monitor as needed:and monitor as needed:

www.voyage.gc.cawww.voyage.gc.ca

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

ACADEMICACADEMICKnow organizationKnow organizationRegistrationRegistrationAcademic Advisor (UW)/(Host)Academic Advisor (UW)/(Host)Registrar’s officeRegistrar’s officePrePre--register/course approvalregister/course approval2 sets of photocopies2 sets of photocopies

PrePre--departure departure ChecklistChecklist

FINANCIALFINANCIALAid/Financial Planning Aid/Financial Planning Clear debtsClear debtsIncome taxIncome taxPower of AttorneyPower of Attorney$$$$$$

Monthly Budget SheetsMonthly Budget SheetsPER MONTH COSTSPER MONTH COSTS

Estimated Costs for : ITESM Campus MazatlanEstimated Costs for : ITESM Campus MazatlanCurrent Currency Exchange Rate 1 Can $ is 6.2 pesosCurrent Currency Exchange Rate 1 Can $ is 6.2 pesos

Date of information : March 2000Date of information : March 2000Books : Books : US$150 (Business Program)US$150 (Business Program)rrrrInsurance: Insurance: US$60 for the semesterUS$60 for the semesterSupplies :Supplies : $25$25

Lab fees : Lab fees : --

Academic Field Trips :Academic Field Trips : Basically freeBasically free

Food (meals, board) :Food (meals, board) : If live with a family $475 CDN with meals included, if live in If live with a family $475 CDN with meals included, if live in an apartment an apartment $350$350--400. Meal of the day at the cafeteria costs around US$3, breakfa400. Meal of the day at the cafeteria costs around US$3, breakfast and dinner shouldn't be st and dinner shouldn't be more than US$3 each.more than US$3 each.

Clothing : Clothing : Clothes for warm weather all year long, however, from DecemberClothes for warm weather all year long, however, from December--March it can get a bit March it can get a bit chilly, and a light jacket may be required. Some formal clothes chilly, and a light jacket may be required. Some formal clothes is required for special visits as well is required for special visits as well as for the closure ceremony. Transportation : Buses are very comas for the closure ceremony. Transportation : Buses are very common and inexpensive, a public mon and inexpensive, a public bus costs around US$0.30 a ride.bus costs around US$0.30 a ride.

Lab fees :Lab fees : -- n/an/a

Incidentals : Incidentals : Phone cards come in 50 pesos and last for five minutesPhone cards come in 50 pesos and last for five minutes

Others:Others:bars during the off season is very cheap and almost free (sometibars during the off season is very cheap and almost free (sometimes is free) and usually is all you mes is free) and usually is all you can drink however during the college tours season every place iscan drink however during the college tours season every place is $20 US dollars or more $20 US dollars or more

Host CountryHost Country ResearchResearch

Language, customs & culture Language, customs & culture DFAIT Travel Reports DFAIT Travel Reports http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpagectry/reportpage--en.aspen.aspRisk ManagementRisk ManagementHost Country reps on campusHost Country reps on campus

Host Country ResearchHost Country Research(Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Career Resources Library/Career Resources Library/International Offices/Library International Offices/Library

Survival GuidesSurvival GuidesAdvisorsAdvisors

““CULTURE SHOCK”CULTURE SHOCK”““Culture Shock” is the term used to Culture Shock” is the term used to

refer to one’s reaction to entering a refer to one’s reaction to entering a new environment where things are new environment where things are unpredictable, uncertain and unpredictable, uncertain and ambiguous, and where it is often ambiguous, and where it is often impossible to understand particular impossible to understand particular situation or read the unspoken situation or read the unspoken clues. clues. Everyone who travels to Everyone who travels to another country is subject to it in another country is subject to it in varying degrees of intensity. varying degrees of intensity.

CulturalCultural AdaptationAdaptation

Stage 1:Stage 1: HoneymoonHoneymoonStage 2:Stage 2: Culture Shock (it’s normal!)Culture Shock (it’s normal!)Stage 3:Stage 3: AdaptationAdaptationStage 4:Stage 4: Reverse Culture ShockReverse Culture Shock

Stage 1: Explorer/ Stage 1: Explorer/ Honeymoon StageHoneymoon Stage

Stimulated tourist stage: meeting Stimulated tourist stage: meeting new people and seeing new placesnew people and seeing new placesEmotionally you are up: excited, Emotionally you are up: excited, stimulated, fascinated, experimentingstimulated, fascinated, experimentingPhysically some intestinal problems, Physically some intestinal problems, insomniainsomnia

Stage 2: Stage 2: Frustration StageFrustration Stage

Novelty has worn off: strain from Novelty has worn off: strain from meeting too many new people, new meeting too many new people, new places and new soundsplaces and new soundsEmotionally down: depressed, anxious, Emotionally down: depressed, anxious, confused, angry, homesick, confused, angry, homesick, disenchanteddisenchantedPhysically: develop colds, headachesPhysically: develop colds, headaches

Stage 3: Settling In StageStage 3: Settling In Stage

Either participators (very effective & very Either participators (very effective & very involved) OR involved) OR Adjusters (do adequate job but may reject Adjusters (do adequate job but may reject environment ) OR environment ) OR Escapers (reject home environment and seek Escapers (reject home environment and seek to establish identity with foreign environment to establish identity with foreign environment but not fully accepted within host culture) OR but not fully accepted within host culture) OR ReturneesReturnees

Culture ShockCulture Shock

It’s normal and everyone goes through It’s normal and everyone goes through it in some degreeit in some degreeDo not get caught in expat ghettoDo not get caught in expat ghettoTalk to someone if it is too Talk to someone if it is too overwhelmingoverwhelmingWhat level of despair do you feel?What level of despair do you feel?Becoming a minority?Becoming a minority?

COPINGCOPING::

Look for the Look for the familiar?familiar?What are What are some ofsome of

your your day to day day to day activities?activities?

CulturalCultural AdaptationAdaptationCultural stereotypesCultural stereotypes

-- You and the HostYou and the HostCoping strategiesCoping strategies

-- Host Country questionnaireHost Country questionnaire-- Cultural normsCultural norms-- Keep a journalKeep a journal-- Sense of humorSense of humor-- Keep busyKeep busy

Communicate with Advisors & othersCommunicate with Advisors & others

Taking PicturesTaking Pictures

Some areas are “no photo Some areas are “no photo zones”zones”Ask locals permissionAsk locals permission

Cultural AdaptationCultural Adaptation

CrossCross--cultural communicationcultural communication

Be politeBe politePlace of humourPlace of humourSpeak languageSpeak languageObserve peopleObserve people

Cultural AdaptationCultural AdaptationReRe--entryentry

Academic/WorkAcademic/WorkRegistration/paymentRegistration/paymentTranscriptTranscriptCredit transferCredit transferAccommodationAccommodationJob placementJob placement

Cultural AdaptationCultural AdaptationReRe--entryentry

Reverse Culture ShockReverse Culture Shock

JournalJournalDeDe--briefing sessionbriefing sessionGet involved in campus Get involved in campus activitiesactivitiesShare experiencesShare experiences

Before you go Before you go –– some mustssome musts! ! CHECKLISTSCHECKLISTS

See all the checklistsSee all the checklistsIncludeInclude What to Take, To Do, A Health What to Take, To Do, A Health List, A Physician List, Safety List, A Physician List, Safety PrecautionsPrecautions

Return your Emergency Contact FormReturn your Emergency Contact Form* *

Start putting things into a “about to Start putting things into a “about to leave” spaceleave” space

EnteringEntering your Host Countryyour Host Country

Do NOT state that you plan to workDo NOT state that you plan to workHave your letter of acceptance readyHave your letter of acceptance readyDoctor’s note if you require needles for Doctor’s note if you require needles for diabetes, etc.diabetes, etc.

“THE WORLD IS A “THE WORLD IS A BOOK, BOOK,

OF WHICH THOSE WHO OF WHICH THOSE WHO STAY IN THE SAME STAY IN THE SAME PLACE, READ ONLY PLACE, READ ONLY

ONE PAGE.”ONE PAGE.”

Bon Voyage!Bon Voyage!