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Safety Tips

The Office of International Education (OIE) wants you to have a safe trip abroad. While the OIE is careful in selecting destinations for our programs, and operate programs only in locations which have no active travel warnings issued by the US Department of State, incidents may happen.

The OIE follows these precautions to help ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff who travel abroad:

  1. UWGB regularly monitors and followsU.S. State Department Travel Advisories.
  2. Students (on semester/interim programs) are enrolled in Alert Traveler, a safety application for mobile devices where students can monitor situations around them in real time and the OIE can reach out to students and require a check-in during emergency situations or when needed.
  3. UWGB registers all travelers in the STEP program, which provides local U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad with traveler information in case of an emergency.
  4. Students are required to complete a pre-departure assessment of health and safety information as well as attend mandatory orientation meetings with OIE staff or faculty program leaders.
  5. All study abroad participants are enrolled in international health insurance that includes coverage for medical and security evacuations.
  6. The OIE has emergency procedures to contact students and faculty leaders abroad if an unexpected incident occurs and all participants are provided with OIE emergency contact information as well as contacts for local U.S. Embassies or Consulates for their program.

Tips to Keep Safe

Use the tips and resources below to help reduce this likelihood so you can have a safe and enjoyable experience abroad.

General Tips

  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times
  • At night, walk in well-lit areas and try not to be alone in an isolated area
  • Know where to get help if necessary
  • Don't carry a lot of money or valuables
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
  • Moderate your alcohol consumption and watch for others
  • Use the "buddy system"

General Resources

While all students should follow the advice above, below are extra tips and resources for you:

Women Traveling Abroad

Women make up the majority of students who travel abroad, especially at UW-Green Bay. Many women are extra vigilant while abroad, especially while traveling alone. Below are some specific safety tips and resource links to learn more.

Tips
  • Act confident, even if you don't feel like it
  • Try to sit next to other women or couples on public transportation
  • Dress and act like a local woman
  • Be aware of cultural differences and learn about stereotypes of U.S. women
  • Ignore catcalling or other unwanted approaches
Resources

LGB and Trans Students Traveling Abroad

There are many reasons that LGBTQ students choose to study abroad. Whether it be gaining perspective on your own identity, understanding sexuality in different cultural contexts, dispel stereotypes, or to gain confidence or flexibility skills that are useful in a future career, the benefits are many. Below are some specific safety tips and resource links to learn more.

Tips
  • Consult a variety of resources and get to know queer communities abroad
  • Don't feel that it's necessary to "out" yourself abroad
  • Remember that sexuality is embedded in the culture you will study in and research how you will be received and what language differences you may face
  • Get to know your resources in your local area
Resources

Multicultural Students Traveling Abroad

Studying abroad can be an amazing experience that helps you gain confidence, explore your identity, view the U.S. from other perspectives, and help dispel stereotypes. Below are some specific safety tips and resource links to learn more about how to keep safe while abroad.

Tips
  • Act confident, even if you don't feel like it
  • Be aware that stereotypes exist and learn how you will react if someone says something insensitive or offensive to you
  • Learn how your ethnic group is perceived in your host country
Resources