PREPARATION | SAFETY ABROAD I GENERAL TIPS | TCU ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICIES | SEX AND GENDER ISSUES I PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
TCU mission is to prepare students to be "ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community." Now, more than ever, the world needs citizens who are understanding of cultural differences, flexible and adaptable, and knowledgable about political and social issues from various perspectives. Study abroad is an important avenue for developing these skills and perspectives, and we hope you'll take advantage of it. Nonetheless, we understand there may be concerns about travel. There is an on-going threat that can surface anywhere in the world at any time (including cities in the US), and we should not be complacent. However, we cannot predict when and where threats will occur and our lives should proceed as usual. Students and their families must make individual decisions about whether they feel safe enough to travel anywhere, both in the U.S. and abroad.
INTERNATIONAL SOS
TCU contracts with International SOS (SOS), a company that provides worldwide travel, medical and security advice and services for all TCU faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad under the auspices of TCU. The services provided by SOS range from telephone advice and referrals to full-scale evacuation by private air ambulance. Detailed information about the services is on the TCU SOS website (log on to my.tcu.edu, and look for International SOS under Helpful Links.
Before and during your time abroad, you can review up-to-date reports on safety and security, health issues, medical care and vaccination requirements on the TCU SOS website. You are also welcome to call SOS at any time prior to or while abroad for advice and information.
To ensure quality assistance, please be sure to do the following prior to departure:
- Contact Tracy Rundstrom Williams, 817-257-7473, for a membership card. Carry this card, which contains the TCU group membership number and the Alarm Center phone numbers, at all times while abroad.
- Complete the Emergency Record on the SOS website.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR U.S. CITIZENS ABROAD
U.S. students are urged to look at the U.S. State Department’s website regularly for their host country and that of countries they plan to visit, for updates on health, safety, political, economic, and social issues: http://www.travel.state.gov/ or http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
The State Department reminds U.S. citizens to keep out an extra eye of precaution while abroad. Generally speaking, while you may find individuals who disagree with U.S. foreign policy or the President, it is not likely that this would ever turn into harassment or abuse towards Americans. In fact, you may find it interesting to learn their perspective on the U.S. and the world. It is easy to take criticisms of the U.S. personally, but make every effort to be open-minded, and be careful to not let disagreements escalate.
AS YOU ARE TRAVELING:
- Be aware of the regulations in travel
- U.S. Transportation Security Administration restrictions: http://www.tsa.gov/
- Check with your airline for any additional restrictions
- Allow plenty of time for security
- Be cooperative, patient, and sensible
- Do not to make jokes about security
- Be vigilant and observant in all situations
ONSITE ORIENTATION
When you arrive in country, your faculty leader(s) or director will conduct a mandatory safety orientation, providing information about the city and its neighborhoods, rules of conduct, and a designated emergency meeting point.
Upon arrival abroad, you should write all onsite contact information on the emergency card and carry this card at all times. You should also program important contact numbers into your cell phone.
Take similar precautions as you would at home:
- Be aware of your surroundings and the people in it.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Don’t carry large amounts of money.
- Stay along well-lit streets.
- Don’t draw negative attention to yourself by being loud, obnoxious, or drunk.
- Avoid demonstrations and political rallies
- Notify program coordinators or faculty leaders when travelling outside the program city during the program dates.
- Note phone numbers for American Embassies in the countries you will be visiting and carry them while travelling.
- Keep in contact with parents, especially if there are any newsworthy items in your host country that parents would be concerned about.
Please also see the SOS Country-Specific Security Guide and the State Departments Tips for Students.
It’s a fact of human nature: we tend to overestimate the danger of rare events over which we have little or no control (such as terrorist attacks) and underestimate the danger of common events over which we have some control. So please be concerned with preventing the things you can: theft, pedestrian safety, getting lost, and personal safety.
Also, know that TCU is authorized to communication information regarding your health, safety, academic progress, and behavior to your emergency contacts and to appropriate individuals at TCU.
Theft:
While you may (and probably should) feel very safe walking around in foreign cities late at night because there are many people out, you should still be aware of petty crime such as pick-pockets and scam artists.
One very easy solution to avoiding petty theft is to blend in with the locals. This means not wearing American “gear” such as baseball caps, t-shirts and sweatshirts with American logos, and tennis shoes, as well as lowering the volume of your voice.
The second easy solution is to limit the amount of valuables you have with you, and be very conscientious with what you do carry. Keep your wallet in a front pocket, or in a bag that you carry across your torso – not on your back. Hold onto your bag as you walk, and never leave it unattended. Do not carry large amounts of cash or many credit cards.
Transportation / Pedestrian Safety:
For those who have traveled in New York City, Washington D.C., or major European cities, you are undoubtedly aware that life in many cities centers around mass transit. Alternatives to mass transportation include taxis and walking, if costs and distances are not prohibitive. Whether you ride a bus, a train or other public transportation, or whether you walk or take a taxi, use your best judgment about tradeoffs between cost, safety and convenience.
If you walk, realize that roads may be dangerous (not to mention bumpy) especially after dark, and understand that pedestrian safety may involve things you are not used to, like dodging motorcycles on sidewalks. Check the reliability and safety of public transportation.
Personal Safety:
Safety is a particular concern for study abroad students because of their tendencies to take risks. While living and traveling abroad can be incredibly liberating and enlightening, it can also numb the common sense. You have an innate sense of intuition, so if you feel that you are in a bad situation, leave. Be aware of your surroundings and the people in it.
Cities in other countries, like U.S. cities, have their safe and unsafe neighborhoods. When traveling, you can find out what areas to avoid by asking at an information booth in the train station or tourism office. Also, safety issues differ from place to place. Many would consider the United States a very dangerous country because of its rate of violent crime. Other countries, however, have different safety concerns, so while you may (and probably should) feel very safe walking around in foreign cities late at night because there are many people out, you should still be aware of petty crime such as pick-pockets and scam artists.
TCU students are expected to follow the TCU Code of Conduct while on Study Abroad programs. Regardless of the location, students must adhere to the following:
Students who enroll at Texas Christian University are obliged to conduct themselves in a manner that is compatible with the University’s function as an educational institution. Each student is expected to be fully acquainted with all published policies, rules, and regulations of the University and will be held responsible for compliance with them. Students are also expected to comply with all federal, state, and local laws. This principle extends to conduct off campus that is likely to have an adverse effect on the University or on the educational process of any student.
Students who choose to drink, either on or off campus, are expected to handle alcohol responsibly and conform to the laws of this state. This means students must be 21 years old to drink while abroad, even if the local drinking age is lower.
Students enrolled in Texas Christian University are subject to disciplinary action for the possession, manufacture, use, sale, or distribution (either by sale or gift) of any quantity of any controlled substance or for being under the influence of any controlled substance. Controlled substances include, but are not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, cocaine derivatives, heroin, amphetamines, barbiturates, steroids, LSD, PCP, rophypnol, and substances typically known as “designer drugs” such as “ecstasy.”
In addition to the TCU Code of Conduct, students must also adhere to any rules and regulations set forth by the faculty leaders or program providers during the period of study abroad.
- being susceptible to crimes such as theft, harassment and rape
- being lost and disoriented in a foreign city
- disrupting the experience for others
- being arrested for public intoxication
- being dismissed from the program.
Do not forget that you are an American, and as such, you will be seen with many stereotypes. Many other countries see rampant drug and alcohol abuse in the U.S., and presume that all Americans behave in that manner. You may find yourself targeted, and drug and alcohol laws more strictly applied to you, because of this. If you act responsibly and follow the laws, you should not have any problems. For more information, please read the U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning on Drugs Abroad
Sexual behaviors and gender relationships vary around the world. Because of different customs and attitudes regarding drinking, nightlife, and relationships, and because you want to fit in, you may feel very bold. Remember, however, that sexual harassment, date rape, STDs, and AIDS are a part of every country. At all times, listen to your common sense and do not take unhealthy risks.
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment occurs in all countries. How it is dealt with varies from culture to culture. If you receive unwanted sexual attention, you should immediately distance yourself from the individual or situation, speak up in a clear and firm manner, and report the incident to your program coordinator or faculty leader.
Tips for Women:
Avoid walking alone late at night. Be aware that some men from other countries tend to take friendliness for romantic interest. Avoid eye contact and smiling at strangers. Going on a date alone (as opposed to a double date or group event) can lead to serious misunderstandings. Avoid wearing short skirts on public transportation.
Tips for Men:
Learn about how women view men in your host culture. How do you approach a woman, for information, for friendship, for a date? What is expected of you if you do decide to date? What constitutes sexually harassment, and how do you avoid unwittingly offending someone? How will you deal with sexual norms that are more conservative or more liberal than you are comfortable with?
GLBT students: Attitudes towards GLBT students vary abroad. For more information, see www.ilga.org or http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/student.htm.
For all:
Sexual norms and behaviors may be very different in your host country. Please be aware of compromising situations, and do not feel pressured to do anything that is uncomfortable to you.
You are responsible for your own safety abroad. TCU generally:
- Cannot guarantee the safety of participants or eliminate risk from the study abroad environment.
- Cannot monitor the daily personal decisions, choices, and activities of individual participants.
- Cannot prevent participants from engaging in illegal, dangerous, or unwise activities.
- Cannot assure that U.S. standards of due process apply or provide or pay for legal representation for participants.
- Cannot assume responsibility for the actions of persons not employed or otherwise engaged by the program sponsor, for events that are beyond the control of the sponsor of subcontractors, or for situations which arise due to the failure of a participant to disclose pertinent information.
- Cannot assure that home-country cultural values will apply on the program when these differ from those of the host country.