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Student health and safety is a top priority at Whitman College. The information below is intended to help guide you in proactive steps for staying healthy and safe abroad. Students should be aware that there are inherent risks associated with any travel, and that neither ³Ô¹ÏÍø nor the study abroad program they attend can guarantee their safety or eliminate risk. Some destinations may have diseases, pollution and sanitation problems that are not present in the U.S. and existing problems can be exacerbated by conditions in the foreign country.

Steps for Students:

1. Students should disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, disabilities or dietary restrictions to their Whitman Study Abroad Advisor and their program provider when in the process of selecting a program to find out if the student’s possible study destinations can provide them with the health care, disability accommodations or dietary options they need.
2. Read carefully all of the health and safety information provided by your study abroad program.
3. Check out risks and precautions for your destinations on the following websites:
   • The main U.S. Department of State has health, safety and security information listed for every country. All study abroad students should read the information about their destination countries carefully. This website also posts Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts for individual countries when problems surface to warn U.S. citizens of the potential risk for travel there.
   • The describes health issues and risks as well as immunization recommendations for individual countries.
   • The posts informative reports and health precaution information when there are disease outbreaks.
4. Download the AlertTraveler app and activate the GPS location option to receive real time information about risks in your location wherever you are worldwide. (This is provided free of charge to all Whitman Study Abroad students.)
5. Register your travel itinerary abroad with . U.S. citizens who have registered will receive security notifications and assistance from local U.S. authorities in the event of an emergency. Family members and students who are non-citizens can also sign up to receive alerts.

U.S. Medical Insurance

• ³Ô¹ÏÍø requires that all study abroad participants maintain their U.S. health insurance coverage, in case it is necessary to return to the United States for treatment. 

International Medical Insurance

• Most Whitman semester-long study abroad programs include international medical insurance as part of what is covered by program fees. Please see your program’s predeparture information for medical insurance policy details.  
• For Whitman students attending programs that do not offer international medical insurance and evacuation coverage, Whitman’s Office of Global Programs will automatically purchase  and charge the expense to the student's account.  
• iNext has 24/7 Global Assistance. Contact them at +1-240-330-1548 (collect/outside the U.S.) or 1-866-506-5304 (toll-free inside the U.S.). Students will need to identify themselves at the outset of the call as an iNext insured customer. The Generali team is available 24/7 and may be able to arrange direct payment with the hospital or coordinate payment guarantees to facilitate cashless access for serious and expensive medical cases. Students must understand that direct payment is not always guaranteed as each claim is handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Physicians and hospitals outside the U.S. nearly always require payment at the time of treatment, and typically will not be able to bill your insurance company. All students should set aside adequate funds for medical treatments and emergencies to have available while studying abroad. Students should obtain receipts for medical care in English, when possible, and submit receipts to their insurance for reimbursement.

Uwill Teletherapy 

Whitman students abroad have access to  teletherapy provided free of charge to all Whitman students through the Welty Health and Counseling Center.

Be sure to communicate any sort of allergies you may have (to medications, foods, animals, insect bites, etc) and the steps needed to remedy it to your study abroad program. This is usually done on a program Health Disclosure Form or on a Housing Form. Be sure to pack a full supply of prescription and non-prescription allergy medications, including an EpiPen if your doctor has recommended it, with you that will last for the duration of your time abroad.

We also suggest that you write down the words in the local language explaining your food allergy or dietary restrictions to show to locals (at restaurants, etc) to help prevent eating something that might make you ill.

Managing Medications While Studying Abroad: Essential Guidelines

Take a full supply of prescription medications. It is very important for students to carry a full supply of their medication(s) with them to last their entire time abroad. Students who take prescription medicines should ask their physician to write a prescription for the total days needed. 

U.S. prescriptions cannot be filled outside the United States, and mailing medication(s) is not recommended because the medication may not pass through customs.

Consult with your insurance company. To obtain a full supply of medication, students and/or their physicians may need to consult with their insurance company regarding the length of their time abroad and request a “travel waiver.” Many insurers limit refills to 30- or 90-day amounts without the existence of extenuating circumstances.

Documenting Prescriptions. When traveling, students should keep their medication in its original packaging and take a copy of the prescription with them to present to customs officials.

Prohibited Medications. Some drugs now commonly prescribed in the U.S. (such as Ritalin) are banned in some countries. Check with your program to make sure that you can bring your prescription medications legally into your host country.

Non-prescription Medications. Over-the-counter medications that are readily available in the U.S., such as Melatonin, may only be available by prescription abroad. Vitamins can also be difficult to find in some locations abroad. We recommend taking a full semester supply of any essential non-prescription medications with you.

Allergies. If you suffer from allergies, be especially sure to take an adequate supply of medication. Big cities may have more airborne pollutants than you are used to, which can trigger allergic reactions.

Students With Chronic Medical Conditions

Students with chronic medical conditions (either physical or mental), physical disabilities or learning disabilities, should fully disclose their medical condition and/or disability to the study abroad program as early as possible, to make the program aware of their needs.

Students Who Have Ongoing Support From a Medical Provider and Believe They May Need Medical Support While Studying Away

Students who have ongoing support from a medical provider and believe they may need medical support while studying away should consult with the Office of Global Programs and their study abroad program to ensure that those resources are available in the study destination. Students should ask their doctor for a written diagnosis of any medical conditions they have to carry with them, in case they need to share it with a doctor abroad.

Students With Medical Conditions or Problems That May Not Be Immediately Apparent to a Physician Abroad

Students with medical conditions or problems that may not be immediately apparent to a physician abroad (like diabetes, allergies, epilepsy, heart condition, etc.) are advised to consider obtaining Medic Alert identification. This internationally recognized emblem provides all vital information to medical personnel in case of an emergency. Further information may be obtained from:  or Medic Alert Foundation International, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA  95382 (tel. 888-633-4298).

Students with documented disabilities should take the following steps to determine if disability accommodations are available on their study abroad program and to request accommodations:

• Inform your study abroad advisor of your disability accommodation needs before selecting a Study abroad program so that the necessary supports you may need will be taken into consideration during program selection. Note that some disability supports may not be permissible or possible in certain countries due to local conditions or laws.
• Consult with Disability Access Services to ensure that your disability accommodation documentation is current.
• Submit your disability accommodation documentation to your study abroad provider either via the program’s student portal or asking Disability Access Services to email the letter to your study abroad program. (Documentation should include a description of the student’s needs as well as the support they receive from Whitman.)
• Due to privacy laws, Whitman will not automatically send a student’s disability documentation to a study abroad program. It is the student’s responsibility to request this.
• Students who do not submit their disability documentation to their study abroad provider in a timely manner will usually not be eligible to receive any disabilities support while abroad.
• We encourage students with disabilities to submit documentation to their program even if they are unsure about whether they will need the accommodations, as it may be difficult or impossible to arrange after arrival to your program.
• Take these steps early as disability accommodations may take time to arrange in your study abroad destination.
• For additional resources regarding disabilities abroad, visit the  website.

Mental Health Support for Studying Abroad

Students who are under the care of a mental health counselor should discuss plans to study abroad with their medical provider, to determine if studying abroad is advisable and, if so, what support may be needed while away. Developing a “Self Care” plan with your counselor prior to leaving for study abroad can be beneficial. The student should also inform Whitman’s Office of Global Programs as well as their study abroad program about what services they may need while off campus so that Whitman College can confirm what types of student resources will be available.

Students with a history of mental health conditions, alcohol and/or drug problems, or an eating disorder may find that the stress of adjusting to a new culture exacerbates their condition. It is therefore important for students to disclose their condition(s) to their study abroad program, and to Whitman’s Office of Global Programs so that Whitman and the program can provide adequate and informed support if any issues arise.

Access to Therapists Off-Campus

Most study abroad programs can refer students to a network of local counselors or a counseling center in the event that a student needs mental health support while studying away. However, keep in mind these potential limitations:

• Wait times for a first appointment could be long, so establish yourself with a therapist early on.
• Working with a new therapist can require some adjusting.
• The types of therapy practiced in your destination may be different from what you are accustomed to in the United States.
• Some international medical insurance has limitations on the number of visits and/or may require a co-pay.

Uwill Teletherapy 

Whitman students on study abroad programs have access to  teletherapy provided free of charge to all Whitman students through the Welty Health and Counseling Center. 

Essential Immunization Guidelines for Studying Abroad

Which immunizations are needed?
Students should review the Centers for Disease Control immunization recommendations for all destination countries at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ and read the health recommendations in their program’s predeparture materials.

Where can students get their immunizations? 
Whitman’s Welty Health and Counseling Center offers free travel immunization advice to students, as well as many of the standard international immunizations at a relatively low cost. Drop by Welty for more information, or call to schedule a consultation.

When should students begin getting their immunizations?
Some vaccines must be administered six months prior to travel so students should look into what immunizations they may need as soon as they know which countries they will be studying in.

What about boosters for childhood immunizations?
Students should check with their doctor about whether or not they are up to date with childhood immunizations like smallpox, tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria, MMR and polio. Some of these vaccines require periodic boosters. This is especially important for students going to the developing world where outbreaks of some diseases, like polio, still occur.

How do students document their immunizations?
Students who receive immunizations before going abroad should request an “International Certificate of Vaccination” from their doctor as a record of what immunizations they have received. This document should be kept alongside passport and visa documentation.

We highly recommend that students have a full physical exam prior to studying abroad and a dental check up to ensure that you are healthy prior to departure. If your program requires that a medical examination form be completed prior to departure, those medical forms can usually either be completed by your family physician or a physician at the Welty Health and Counseling Center.

Some countries require medical examinations, and possibly even chest X-rays and an HIV test, as a requirement to apply for the student visa. Please contact a Global Programs staff member or your program provider if you have questions regarding visa requirements for the country where you plan to study.

Students who study abroad may assume that they will be less likely to be a victim of crime overseas because some countries have a lower rate of violent crimes than the United States. However, as a visitor to a new country, you are likely to stand out because of your clothes, the way you walk, your speech and other factors. Unfortunately, that makes you more likely to be targeted by petty criminals or others with ill intentions.

Here are a few tips to help students have a safe experience abroad:

(Disclaimer: Please note that these tips are not intended to place blame on victims but to heighten students’ awareness of the different cultural contexts they may find abroad.)

• Try to wear clothing that doesn’t make you too conspicuous, and walk with a confident air. Remember that in many countries visitors from the U.S., from East Asia, and from other western countries are perceived to be quite wealthy and pickpockets won’t distinguish between a “poor” college student and a “wealthy” tourist.
• Don’t accept drinks or food from strangers and don’t leave drinks unattended in bars or on trains. Incidents have been reported in which students have been drugged in clubs and elsewhere.
• Consider using a money belt or passport pouch to keep valuables hidden under clothing and away from view. Be aware that pickpockets often ride buses and subways looking for wallets within easy access.
• Don’t leave your wallet, backpack or luggage in a place where a passerby could walk off with it, and keep your hands on your bags in public spaces.
• Find out from program staff when you first arrive if there are any parts of town that should be avoided and the safest forms of local transportation.
• Avoid walking alone or taking an uber or taxi alone, especially at night.
• Be aware that while it is sometimes safer to travel with a group of friends, people sometimes let down their guard or do not notice their surroundings as much when they are with others.
• Use locks on your luggage and backpacks.

Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Incidents

Whitman students are protected by and held accountable to Whitman’s Sexual Misconduct Policy & Title IX and the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Grievance Policy while studying abroad. This is true even if a student is attending a program run by another organization (such as IES, SIT, CIEE) or a foreign university.

Whitman students studying on programs not administered by Whitman are also protected and held accountable to the program’s policies on sexual and gender-based misconduct. In other words, Whitman students are responsible for understanding and complying with both Whitman’s policies, as well as their Study Abroad program’s policies.

If you are involved with sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or a gender-based incident, our first concern is to provide immediate support to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

Steps to take if you think you may have been involved in sexual harassment, sexual assault or a gender-based incident:

• First: remember that a sexual assault or gender-based incident is NEVER the victim’s fault.
• Report the incident to your local program staff to access local support resources such as confidential victim services, access to medical assistance, help with reporting to police (only if you choose to do so), potential housing changes, academic accommodations, etc.
• Know that Whitman on-campus support services are available to you from a distance regardless of where you are studying and regardless of who else (fellow student, stranger, etc.) is involved in the incident. 
• Contact the Director of Equity and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator at titleix@whitman.edu or complete the .
• Attitudes and laws related to sexual misconduct and/or assault will vary from country to country. For this reason, if you believe you have been involved in an incident, we highly recommend that you consult with someone in Whitman’s Office of Global Programs, Title IX Director (titleix@whitman.edu), or the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (sava@ywcaww.org) for guidance about how to proceed. Depending on local conditions, it may or may not be beneficial to report a sexual assault to local police. Seek guidance from your local program staff and Whitman’s Office of Global Programs about this.
• If you are a responding student and an incident report is brought against you, you will be held to the standards and adjudication of your program and those of ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Things you should know when considering reporting:

• Most study abroad programs do not have one designated Title IX officer but rather encourage participants to talk with whichever staff member they are comfortable with. 
• Study abroad program staff may be legally obligated to report incidents to ³Ô¹ÏÍø or others but this does not oblige the student to pursue adjudication. It is an opportunity for Whitman to share resource information with a victim.
• Contact the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate employed by the YWCA at sava@ywcaww.org, if you would like to talk to someone who is not obligated to report incidents and can maintain confidentiality.
• Even if you are getting support from your program, we encourage you to report the incident to Whitman as well. 
• A complete copy of the Whitman sexual harassment policy is available in the college’s Sexual Misconduct and Grievance policies:

³Ô¹ÏÍø Grievance Policy

Sexual Misconduct Policy & Title IX

Details about how to handle an allegation of sexual harassment or assault can be found at: Sexual Misconduct Policy & Title IX.

Sexual Harassment

Tips that should help reduce harassment are as follows:

• It is important to remember that student safety comes first. If students feel uncomfortable with a situation, they should not worry about being polite or offending someone. Students should follow their intuition, and get out of potentially unsafe situations as soon as possible.
• In many societies (Italy, France, Latin America and some parts of Asia) making any kind of eye contact at all or smiling at local men will be construed as a sexual advance.
• Be aware of how clothing may send cultural signals. In some societies, wearing short skirts or shorts, crop tops, camisoles or low necklines will be associated with promiscuous behavior. Students even may wish to dress more conservatively than their local peers, in order to counteract local stereotypes about U.S. tourists.
• In some countries and regions (such as Italy, Greece, the Middle East and Latin America) it may not be appropriate for young women to walk alone on the street unaccompanied even during the day. Women may discover that they need to be accompanied by a friend when walking around town in order to avoid being followed or catcalled.
• Watch what local women do to protect themselves and follow suit. In many societies, students might observe women walking arm and arm, or huddled together in conversation. This is a tactic for avoiding the unwanted intrusions of men on the street.
• Find out from program staff the safest way to respond to unwanted advances in the host culture and what to say, if anything, in the local language. In some places it is best to ignore comments from men, in others there is a particular phrase in the local language that can be used to put a stop to the harassment.
• In some traditional societies, young people do not travel alone without their family members or friends. In these countries, a young person who travels alone, or stays alone at a guesthouse may be harassed for sexual favors because, by that culture’s norms, that individual is sending a message to locals that they have low moral standards.

Students who encounter any form of harassment should inform their program staff and Whitman’s Office of Global Programs immediately.

Alcohol Use and Abuse

• Students studying abroad may be old enough to drink legally in their destination country.  Please be aware that customs surrounding alcohol vary significantly from country to country. In many European countries, for example, wine or beer is often consumed with a meal, but it is uncommon for people to drink until they are drunk. 
• In more conservative or religious countries, alcohol may be taboo or it may be socially unacceptable for college-age students to drink even if not technically prohibited by the law.
• As in the U.S., excess use of alcohol overseas often leads to poor judgment and is frequently a factor in accidents and other problems. Students should remain aware that, if drinking to excess, they may be putting their safety and the safety of those around them at risk—and will probably be more vulnerable to crime and accidents abroad.
• Students who do not drink and wish to find out how prevalent alcohol consumption is in their study abroad destination should consult with their program staff or Whitman’s Office of Global Programs. It is perfectly acceptable for students to decline a drink and ask for a non-alcoholic drink instead, wherever they study abroad.

Drugs

• Whitman students are absolutely prohibited from using illegal drugs while abroad. Students who do so run the risk of immediate expulsion from their study abroad program, with loss of credit and program fees, and being barred from returning to the host country in the future.
• Whitman students are prohibited from using marijuana while on study abroad, including medical marijuana. Marijuana is still considered a serious illegal drug in many countries and arrest for use or possession can result in long prison sentences or worse.
• In most countries, the authorities consider illegal drug use an extremely serious matter. Even possession of small amounts of some drugs, which may result in relatively light penalties in the U.S., may be considered a very serious crime in a study abroad destination.
• If a Whitman student is caught with any illegal drugs, they are subject to the laws of the host country, not U.S. laws. ³Ô¹ÏÍø, the student’s study abroad program, and U.S. authorities will not be able to do much to help. Since local drug laws frequently carry very stiff penalties, many young Americans find themselves in prison for seemingly small offenses. 

• If arrested abroad, students will find that:
  • Few countries provide a jury trial.
  • Most countries do not accept bail.
  • Pretrial detention (which is often solitary confinement) can last for months.
  • Prisons may lack even the minimal comforts of a bed, toilet or washbasin.
  • Diets are often very poor.
  • Officials may not (or may not want to) speak English.
  • Treatment may be inhumane.
• Some countries execute those convicted of possession of illegal drugs. And some countries have drug laws that include guilt by association.
• Students should not be fooled by the apparent availability of drugs in some countries. It is not uncommon for drug dealers to turn their customers in and get paid by the police for doing so.

At airports do not agree to check or carry bags of strangers, as you could be found responsible if illegal items are being transported.

The change in diet and water can greatly affect students’ health while overseas. When trying new foods and getting used to a new diet overseas, take it slowly and do not overindulge in new foods too quickly. This gives newcomers’ bodies some time to adjust.

“Boil it, peel it or forget it!” This old adage is important when traveling to locations in the Global South (parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America) where it is unsafe to raw vegetables or unpeeled fruits. Students should be sure to find out from the local staff if they need to take any special precautions with foods. 

In many parts of the world (parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America), it is not uncommon for tap water to be unsafe to drink or even to use for brushing teeth. In these destinations, students will need to boil water to drink or drink bottled water.

When eating out, try to frequent establishments that serve foods fresh and piping hot. If a restaurant has no customers, there may be a reason!

Keep abreast of news reports regarding food contamination.

Driving habits, traffic patterns and road conditions may be very different from those in the United States. Students should keep in mind that the rate of traffic accidents and fatalities is as much as seven times higher in some countries than it is in the U.S. Even in Europe, the roads are not as safe as in the U.S.

• We strongly discourage students from driving any motorized vehicle while abroad, because of differences in driving conditions and informal rules of the road. Many Study Abroad providers (such as IES and SIT) prohibit students from driving while enrolled on their programs.
• Students should exercise extra caution when crossing streets, especially when they first arrive. The pedestrian “right of way” is non-existent in most places outside the U.S., so students should not assume that drivers will watch out for them.
• In some countries, drivers consider traffic signals to be recommendations, not obligatory—they may not necessarily stop at red lights.
• Students studying abroad in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand where drivers keep to the left hand side of the street should be especially careful of oncoming traffic when stepping off of the curb.
• Before taking ubers, taxis or buses, students should ask their program about the safety records of various companies. In some places, it may not be safe to take an uber or taxi alone.

Students should avoid local demonstrations or protests in their host country, even as an onlooker.  These types of events can rapidly become violent. Be aware that in some countries there is no freedom of speech or freedom of assembly, so being part of such an activity may be illegal.

Students should contact program staff for advice about what to do if their country is experiencing popular unrest. Check your AlertTraveler phone app and the U.S. Dept of State travel.state.gov website for safety guidance in the event of civil unrest.

There are some important things that students can do to help ensure a safe and healthy experience overseas. All students should be aware that there are inherent risks associated with any travel, and that neither ³Ô¹ÏÍø nor the study abroad program they attend can guarantee their safety or eliminate risk. Although most foreign countries have less violent crime than the U.S. and may seem to be relatively “safe,” there are certain aspects of living and traveling abroad that make it riskier than being in a home environment.

General Safety Tips

• Read all program information carefully and take seriously any recommendations related to safety, health, the physical environment, the law and cultural conditions in the host country.
• Read the U.S. State Department’s Consular Reports to travelers for the countries you plan to travel to. The reports highlight risks to Americans abroad. It is accessible at .
• Consider personal health and safety needs when accepting a place in a program.
• Students should provide the sponsor with accurate and complete physical and mental health information about themselves, so they can be efficiently helped if a problem arises.
• Students should familiarize themselves with the local police, fire and hospital services as soon as they arrive overseas, so that they know how to contact help in the event of an emergency.
• Inform program staff promptly of any health or safety concerns.
• Do not engage in risky activities such as excessive drinking, involvement with illegal drugs, hitchhiking or exchanging money on the black market.
• Do not swim alone. Before swimming, students should make sure the body of water they plan to swim in is safe. In the developing world in particular, water that may look fine could be severely polluted or contain the parasites that cause the disease Schistosomiasis. Before swimming in the ocean, make sure it is a safe area to swim in without a strong undertow or rip tide.
• While programs try to screen host families and other student accommodations carefully, problems can arise. If a student feels their housing situation is at all unsafe, they should discuss your concerns with the program staff immediately.
• Students should use their common sense and instincts—if a situation seems strange, or feels inappropriate, the student should remove themselves from the situation as soon as possible, while remaining as safe as possible.

U.S. consular officers are available at U.S. Embassies and Consulates in most countries overseas. They are there to advise and assist U.S. nationals, especially if they are in serious legal, medical or financial trouble. (They do not perform the work of travel agencies, information bureaus or the local police.)

All study abroad students who are US citizens are encouraged to sign up for the Department of State’s  prior to departure. This will result in the student receiving advice from local U.S. officials in the event of an emergency in the host country. Non-U.S. citizens and family members of students are also welcome to sign up for STEP alerts free of charge.

If a Whitman student runs into trouble with the local authorities, they should remember that they are subject to local laws. Local laws, U.S. laws and international agreements can tie the hands of the American representatives. The U.S. government does not have funds for legal fees or other related expenses for U.S. citizens who get into trouble overseas.