Planning for Life Abroad
Ensuring Your Health & Safety
Your safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance to us. This page is designed to offer a variety of helpful resources that provide information on health, safety, identity and sustainability.
Security Announcements & Travel Advisories
Security Announcements
The U.S. Department of State has been issuing periodic “Worldwide Caution” public announcements since September 2001. These announcements underscore the importance for Americans living and traveling abroad to remain vigilant and security conscious.
Travel Advisories
Students are encouraged to check the travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State for their intended destination. Note that conditions can change rapidly at any time. We recommend that all travelers sign up to receive travel advisories and alerts.
Safety & Security
We advise all students studying abroad to consult the U.S. State Department website on a regular basis. This site includes valuable information about countries throughout the world.
Students Abroad
U.S. Embassies Around the World
Travel Advisories
Emergencies Abroad
Country-Specific Information
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Traveler's Checklist
Planning for a Healthy Experience Abroad
Visit Health Services or your family physician to discuss your plans for managing your health and wellness while living abroad. A visit to the dentist is also highly recommended. Many programs will require a physician’s statement of good health. Before you travel, become familiar with the health care system and security issues of the country where you will be studying. AIG/Travel Guard can provide this information.
Identity & Study Abroad
A number of factors may influence your experience abroad, including your nationality; religious, racial or ethnic heritage; gender; sexual orientation; mobility; accessibility and disability; and personality. Attitudes toward women and minority groups vary greatly across cultures, as do experiences in gender identity and sexual orientation. In some cultures you may experience being in the minority (that is, a foreigner) or in the majority for the first time. How the “majority culture” defines itself also differs around the world. No place is monocultural, and learning about difference by living and studying outside the United States can bring new insights upon return. Ask questions, explore resources and remember that all cultures have complexities, and finding opportunities to successfully live in another culture is extraordinary.
Helpful Reading
To learn more about how your identity may be impacted during your experience abroad, we recommend reviewing the Diversity Abroad’s Guide to Study Abroad and IFSA’s Unpacked: A Study Abroad Guide for Students Like Me.
Volunteer International provides information about best practices for selecting a high-quality volunteer abroad program. See especially the “Why Standards” and “Volunteer Stories” tabs on their website.
Brown University compiled a collection of student quotes addressing diversity issues including ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance and language.
Sustainable Travel
Live your life as a sustainable citizen abroad. Global education has an important role to play in your decision, so explore the curated resources to become more informed about green initiatives abroad and how to travel “lightly.”
- Green Passport Program
- 8 Easy Ways to Lessen Your Impact as a Traveler
- Students Organizing for Sustainability - The masterclasses on tenant rights and the climate crisis, food systems, and water scarcity provide very helpful tips!
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Project 350
- Sustainable Travel International
- Global Footprint Network
- Flight Emissions Calculator
- Airline Index - compare and rank efficiency!