Studying safely
Due to recent global events such as the Arab Spring, many students have re-evaluated their plans to study abroad. Drake University, and the study abroad program providers which it contracts with, has always considered safety a priority. Now though Drake and its program providers have taken a closer look at policies to ensure that they are as effective as possible.
“We’re always planning for the worst-case scenario,” said Jen Hogan, the assistant director of International Programs and Services.
When the evacuation order was issued for Egypt, there were three Drake students in Cairo. They did not witness any of the turmoil themselves, but they were immediately evacuated through the program. They fled to Prague, where they were given the option to return home or to continue to study abroad in another country. All three chose to study abroad in other countries and stayed in the region but far from the dangerous area. None of the students were harmed as a result of the uprising.
When students sign up for a study abroad program, part of the cost is insurance. This allows students to evacuate at no charge if a situation arises. Drake does not send students to locations where the Department of State has a travel warning.
If they had prior experience in the region, family who lived there, or other special circumstances risk assessment is then done on a case-by-case basis. However, for most students the travel warning will prevent them from being able to study in a country for their own safety. Part of this limitation does not come from the university. Providers for the study abroad programs suspend their programs in countries with travel advisories. In cases where no provider has functioning programs in an area, it is no longer possible to study there, regardless of Drake’s appeals process.
There have always been risks associated with studying abroad, risks that Drake has worked to reduce as it prepares to send students abroad. Studying abroad is riskier in many respects because of language barriers and unfamiliarity with customs and culture. Once an incident occurs, these barriers can make crime abroad more challenging to report. Therefore, Drake and the program providers work to ensure student safety as they travel. Before the students leave for their programs, they attend a pre-departure session, where they receive general information about being abroad and learn how to be global ambassadors.
“There have been issues in places where it’s been assumed to be almost 100 percent safe. There is no guarantee of safety when students go abroad,” Hogan said.
In these sessions, students also learn about American stereotypes and the actions that Americans do abroad that can increase the risk of harassment. The staff at Drake, and the program staff on location in the various countries, help students blend in as much as possible by respecting cultural differences in modesty, speech, social interactions, etc.
“People will be able to identify Americans pretty readily by the way we dress, the way we talk,” Hogan said. “There is extra risk in places where you don’t know the language; because you’re speaking loudly in English you’re going to be a target. How you convey yourself as an American abroad will determine how you are treated.”
The students also receive detailed handbooks with a full range of safety information, including numbers to contact if hospitalized, victimized or arrested abroad. They also provide information on discrimination, sexual relations, hitchhiking and theft. The handbooks also cover practical information about the student’s specific study abroad location and program, as well as other practical advice and assistance on topics such as culture shock, packing, and behavior in this new environment.
The study abroad providers employ staff on-location to assist students while they are abroad. These staff members are an especially important resource once the students arrive in the country. They help the students adapt and are there for support in a wide variety of situations.
The situations in the Middle East have caused students and parents to ask more questions regarding safety about the policies and procedures. However, this has not deterred interest in the region according to Hogan.
“The Arabic language program has grown in interest and in numbers. It hasn’t been a deterrent as far as students go,” Hogan said. “From several majors the perspective of how these countries are going to rebuild in a democracy is really exciting, especially for some of those types of political science students.”
Drake faculty and students went to Egypt the summer after the Arab Spring, but most providers re-opened their programs in the fall of 2012.The political situation, state of the travel warning, and student interest, all factor into the decision of when to resume programs in a conflicted country.
“The programs in Syria are not going to open for a long time, which is unfortunate but that is the political climate there,” Hogan said. “Students are not allowed to study in Syria until this situation over and, or the travel warning has been changed or lifted.”
The State Department has issued a strong warning against travel to Syria for Americans at this time. Part of the warning reads: “No part of Syria should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, including kidnappings.”
As long as the State Department has a travel warning in effect for travel to Syria, students will have to find alternative locations for their study abroad experience.
For some students, instability in countries has forced them to alter their study abroad dreams. However, this trade-off is acceptable to those students who want to enjoy their experience without the increased risk. Erin Menardi, a sophomore graphic design and magazines double major, is one such student, and will be studying at Arcadia University in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I really wanted to travel abroad to Greece when I was first thinking about places I wanted to go, but the economical instability and riots that were going on made it seem like a difficult place to be at during that time,” Menardi said. “Also, many of the programs took it off of their lists because safety was such a concern. I don’t think, if it was possible, I would have chosen to go there if it was a dangerous place because studying abroad is supposed to be fun and enjoyable; you shouldn’t have to spend it worrying about your safety the whole time.”
Most students who choose to study abroad value their safety, and don’t want a potentially unsafe environment to detract from their experience. They look forward to experiencing a new culture and taking classes while being able to tour a foreign country.
“I would never place myself in a setting where I would know of danger or harm to me in any way. For example: Iraq or a war, just not my thing,” said Nicole Kasperbauer, a magazines and graphic design double major who will be studying abroad.
Studying abroad is still highly valued at Drake and many students look forward to the experience. Despite the logistical challenges and increased risk of being in a foreign place, students at Drake continue to work study abroad into their college plans.
“There are so many things about the world that we do not know about or only learn about through the news,” Kasperbauer said. “Why not fly across the ocean and experience courses that will take your breath away and give you opportunities beyond your normal reach?”
There is no guarantee of safety when students go abroad,” Hogan said.
In these sessions, students also learn about American stereotypes and the actions Americans do abroad that can increase the risk of harassment. The staff at Drake, and the program staff on location in the various countries, help students blend in as much as possible by respecting cultural differences in modesty, speech, social interactions, etc.
“People will be able to identify Americans pretty readily by the way we dress, the way we talk,” Hogan said. “There is extra risk in places where you don’t know the language; because you’re speaking loudly in English you’re going to be a target. How you convey yourself as an American abroad will determine how you are treated.”
The students also receive detailed handbooks with a full range of safety information, including numbers to contact if hospitalized, victimized or arrested abroad. They also provide information on discrimination, sexual relations, hitchhiking and theft. The handbooks also cover practical information about the student’s specific study abroad location and program, as well as other practical advice and assistance on topics such as culture shock, packing, and behavior in this new environment.
The study abroad providers employ staff on-location to assist students while they are abroad. These staff members are an especially important resource once the students arrive in the country. They help the students adapt and are there for support in a wide variety of situations.
The situations in the Middle East have caused students and parents to ask more questions regarding safety about the policies and procedures. However, this has not deterred interest in the region according to Hogan.
“The Arabic language program has grown in interest and in numbers. It hasn’t been a deterrent as far as students go,” Hogan said. “From several majors the perspective of how these countries are going to rebuild in a democracy is really exciting, especially for some of those types of political science students.”
Drake faculty and students went to Egypt the summer after the Arab Spring, but most providers reopened their programs in the fall of 2012. The political situation, state of the travel warning and student interest, all factor into the decision of when to resume programs in a conflicted country.
“The programs in Syria are not going to open for a long time, which is unfortunate but that is the political climate there,” Hogan said. “Students are not allowed to study in Syria until this situation over and, or the travel warning has been changed or lifted.”
The State Department has issued a strong warning against travel to Syria for Americans at this time.
As long as the State Department has a travel warning in effect for travel to Syria, students will have to find alternative locations for their study abroad experience.
For some students, instability in countries have forced them to alter their study abroad dreams. However, this trade-off is acceptable to those students who want to enjoy their experience without the increased risk.
Erin Menardi, a sophomore graphic design and magazines double major, is one such student, and will be studying at Arcadia University in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I really wanted to travel abroad to Greece when I was first thinking about places I wanted to go, but the economical instability and riots that were going on made it seem like a difficult place to be at during that time,” Menardi said. “Also, many of the programs took it off of their lists because safety was such a concern. I don’t think, if it was possible, I would have chosen to go there if it was a dangerous place because studying abroad is supposed to be fun and enjoyable; you shouldn’t have to spend it worrying about your safety the whole time.”
Most students who choose to study abroad value their safety, and don’t want a potentially unsafe environment to detract from their experience. They look forward to experiencing a new culture and taking classes while being able to tour a foreign country.
“I would never place myself in a setting where I would know of danger or harm to me in any way. For example: Iraq or a war, just not my thing,” said Nicole Kasperbauer, a magazines and graphic design double major.
Studying abroad is still valued at Drake and many students look forward to the experience. Despite the logistical challenges and increased risk of being in a foreign place, students at Drake continue to work study abroad into their college plans.
“There are so many things about the world that we do not know about or only learn about through the news,” Kasperbauer said. “Why not fly across the ocean and experience courses that will take your breath away and give you opportunities beyond your normal reach?”
