Health, Safety & Risk Issues inStudy Abroad 2009

Department of Safety & Risk ManagementMinette Ellis, Director

PurposeOffice of

International Affairs has requested the Dept. of Safety & Risk Management provide an annual update of safety issues and risk factors before going abroad to enhance preparedness of the Program Directors.

TrendsAcademic study

abroad experience enhances the education.

Increase in global awareness and international relations.

GSU Study Abroad Destinations

EmergenciesMinor: pick-

pocketing petty theft, illness, injury, language & communication barriers

Major: natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes or acts of terrorism

What is a Medical Emergency?Any Hospitalization- no

matter how briefRape or sexual assaultSevere food poisoningSevere allergic reactionAny mental health issueAny incident involving

injuries or potential injuries

Responding to Medical EmergenciesSeek appropriate medical care.Call Worldwide Assistance if needed.Notify GSU Crisis Committee per the Study

Abroad Crisis Prevention policy guidelines.Protect students’ right to medical privacy.

Share only necessary details with individuals on a need to know basis.

Non- Emergency Medical Care

Students should be prepared to pay for the cost of the treatment. Upon return to the US, they should submit receipts and seek reimbursement by filing a claim.

Medical & Accident InsuranceMandatory Study

Abroad Insurance is included in the cost of the program

Prior to leaving, program directors should communicate to students how medical costs abroad will be paid when services are rendered

Medical & Accident InsuranceEvacuation* (for

medical emergencies-does not include terrorism);

Repatriation* of remains;

Accident and Life insurance

Worldwide Travel assistance to help with emergencies

1-800 number to verify insurance

Protests/Civil Unrest (France 2006)Armed Conflict (Israel/Lebanon

2006)Foiled Terrorist Plot (London ‘06)Military Coup (Bangkok 2006)Widespread Riots (Budapest 2006)Protests/Civil Unrest (Bangladesh

2006)Earthquake (Peru ‘07)Terrorist Bombing (London 2007)Hurricanes (Dean/ Mexico ‘07)Anything “newsworthy” regardless

of its effect on students or programs

What is a General Emergency?

Crisis Planning & PreparednessMake sure everyone –staff & students are

safe and secureMinimize anxiety for the studentsProgram Directors should be prepared to

operate independently if cutoff from US based communication

Contact or respond to directions of local authorities

Follow the GSU Crisis Prevention Policy for Study Abroad Programs

Emergency PreparednessInstruct all students to

review Crisis Management Policy of the Study Abroad Program

Designate a primary and secondary place to meet

Agree on when, where & how to meet

Designate a student leader in case the faculty become incapacitated or unavailable

Health & Safety

World Health Problems are tracked by the CDC and WHO

www.cdc.govwww.who.int Dysentery,

cholera, HIV, HBV are health concerns

#1 Travelers Health Warning…Caused by viruses,

bacteria & parasites that contaminate food or water

Wash hands frequently or use cleansing gel

Yellow Fever Mosquito-borne disease

Vaccination required to enter certain countries

Prevalent in Panama,Central America & Ghana

Malaria can also be contracted in Mexico

Wear long sleeve clothing for protection

Yellow FeverAs of 3/17/09, Yellow

Fever Outbreak in the southern part of Brazil

Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended by CDC

Recommended repellants containing 30-50% DEET for adults

MeningitisAs of 3/17/09, in the NE

states of India (Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram) 230 deaths & 2000 ill from Meningitis & Nigeria

Bacterial infection that causes symptoms of high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea

Meningococcal vaccine should be taken 7-10 days before traveling

Avian Flu “Bird Flu”At this time, WHO

recommends that travelers to countries experiencing outbreaks of this disease in poultry should avoid areas with live poultry, such as live animal markets and poultry farms

As of 3/11/09, Human cases of Bird Flu detected in China, Egypt, Indonesia , Vietnam due to being in contact with ill birds

Health & SafetyStudents should be informed on sexually

transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and HIV

For pre-existing medical conditions-the student’s medical doctor should assist in this planning stage or provide some recommendations

Program Director should have protocol for pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Laws for Alcohol ConsumptionDrinking age in the

host countryIf drinking-do it in

moderationProgram Directors

should advise students “they are subject to the laws of the host country”

South Korea

AGE 18Argentina

SlovacBarbados RepublicBermuda

South AfricaBritish

UKChile

UruguayCzech Republic

Hong KongIndonesiaJamaicaIsrael LatviaMexico

MongoliaPhilippines

AntiguaAustriaBelgiumFrance

Germany*Greece*

ItalyNetherlands*

Norway*Poland

Spain*Turkey*

JapanIceland

New Zealand

ArmeniaAzerbaijan

ChinaNigeriaPoland

SovietGeorgiaThailandViet Nam

AGE 20

AGE 19

AGE 18

AGE 16

No Minimum Age

Effects of Reckless Behavior Makes you vulnerable to

street crimeAuto accidentsFalls from hotel balconiesDrowningFatalismPoor grades abroadSocial conflicts with peers

& authorities“Ugly American

Syndrome”

Drug AbuseLess common than alcohol abuse

Severity is greater as jail sentence can be imposed

Criminal ActsAvoid public demonstrations Be aware where it’s appropriate to take

picturesDo not take pictures of civil disturbances Consequence: Financial burden of legal representation is

the responsibility of the studentMistreatment in the jailsCourt held in language of the host countryUS Embassy can not get you released if

incarcerated

Don’t Become a Victim of CrimeThink about using a money beltStay in well lighted areasBeware of beggarsAvoid being alone at night in an isolated

areasKnow where the high crime areas areDon’t sleep in unlocked areasDo not go in public under the influence of

alcohol or drugs

Nutritional ChangesAdvise your students on the diet of the host country Advise changes may be necessary

Food and Drink Avoid salad, uncooked foods, fruits and foods you do not peel yourselfDo not accept food from StrangersDon’t drink Untreated waterAvoid raw seafood, rare meatsAvoid unpasteurized foods e.g. cheese and milkBeware of the food and water in the

aircraft as it may come from the departing country

Study Abroad Should be…Adventuresome

Informative

Fun

Emotional & Mental HealthPre-existing emotional conditions

may intensify by living in a foreign culture

“Culture Shock” can have a shattering effect on some students and cause “Anxiety”

Minimize Emotional ProblemsConduct one-on-

one counseling with students to establish positive motivation for studying

Be aware of the ten stages of anxiety of students

AnxietyTen Stages of AdjustmentInitial anxiety Initial elation Initial culture shockSuperficial adjustmentdepression-frustrationAcceptance of host cultureReturn anxietyReturn elationre-entry shockreintegration

Coping with Culture ShockMake students aware if

women should not appear flamboyant or aggressive in the host country

Appropriate inconspicuous dress

www.journeywoman.com

http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf

(Dining etiquette quiz)

If racial or religious differences exist within the culture-the students should be made aware

Students should participate in group activities

Non-verbal

communication know the gestures that are considered rude

Foreign Medical PracticeHealthcare standards will vary from

country to country around the world Students should be advised that they

should not expect the same practices as those in the U.S.

Ensure that specialized medications or prescriptions will be available when participating in longer study abroad programs

RELEVANT LEGAL ISSUES CONCEPTS AND THEORIES

Legal RelationshipsContractual Relationships exist simply by the

student being a member of the university and agreeing to abide by university rules.

In Loco Parentis exists if you have an underage student participating in your program; You, the Program Director, act in place of the parent.

Special Relationship exists as the Program Director for Study Abroad who oversees the students enrolled in this program.

Personal LiabilityGeorgia State provides a liability limit of

$1,000,000 for each employee if allegations are made regarding wrong doing while operating within the scope of your employment and services performed on behalf of the university.

Program directors are expected to respond to emergencies with reasonableness and good faith (Prudent Man Theory.)

Suits filed against the GSU Program Director while oversees will have representation provided by the State of Georgia

Tort LiabilityTort Liability

NegligenceNegligence

Standard Standard of Careof Care

Wanton, Wanton, Willful& Willful& IntentionalIntentional

Claims or Allegations are made when Program Directors act Negligent. Tort is a wrongful act or malfeasance against another.

Protect GSU from Potential LiabilityFERPA/HIPAA Protect students’ medical

privacyTitle IX Prohibition Against

Sex Discrimination Do not hold office hours in

your hotel room Avoid excessive alcohol

consumption with your students or while on duty

Forbid students of the opposite sex to share accommodations– even if consensual

The ADA and the Rehabilitation ActUnderstand that medical

conditions may qualify as disabilities

Be aware that the ADA (1990 and 2000) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability

Follow the Rehabilitation Act (1973) that states no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in any federally funded program or activity.

Reducing Liability for you and the University

Disclose any known dangers regarding the trip. Advise or clarify if “warnings are issued in the native language”

Disclose disciplinary action to be taken for rule violation

Waivers and releases of liability should be apart of any agreement

Reducing Liability for you and the University

Where a contract exists, a choice-of-law clause should be included to ensure that, if a case if filed, it will be tried in our jurisdiction under our laws

Disclose all significant cultural differences between countries

Identify potential risks of host county from the US State Department website

Be sure that parents have signed for minors, if any.

GETTING READY TO STUDY ABROAD

Pre-departure Medical EvaluationsMedical evaluations

should be in advance of leaving

Blood type**Dental RecordsEKG’s/X-Ray’s (if

relevant to students medical situation)

Eyeglass/contact lens prescription(s)

Doctors statement about any relevant health problem

Medication prescriptions (written in generic terms)

What to Packsuggested Medicines Extra Syringes

(diabetics)Extra

Eyeglasses/lensesSmall first aid

kit/suppliesSun block \Anti-diarrhea

(Imodium)Anti-motion sickness

meds

Water purification tablets

Allergy medicine(s)Insect repellentMoisturizerCondiments of choiceAntibiotic ointmentHand washing gelAspirin/pain killerFeminine hygiene

products

MedicationPrescription meds

must be in the containers from the pharmacy in order to clear security in the airport and foreign countries

Practical Tips for Safe TravelingFrom: The Parents Guide to Study Abroad by William Hoffa; NAFSA; 1998Take only the cards that

will be used on the trip

Keep a list or copy of the cards, numbers & emergency replacement procedures

Make 3-lists of Travelers Checks (home, carry one & remote location w/ receipts)

Practical Tips: LuggageMark all

luggage inside & out

Enclose an itinerary in each bag

Keep a list of the contents for each bag

Don’t carry everything in one place! Never pack essential documents, medicine etc. in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry on bag.

Keep names and phone numbers of insurance companies in close proximity.

PassportCarry 2 extra

passport photos or 1 passport copy or1 copy of your

certified birth certificate or

1 expired passport

Practical Tips for Safe TravelingFrom: The Parents Guide to Study Abroad by William Hoffa; NAFSA; 1998

A lost passport should be reported to local police

Get written confirmation of the incident from the police

Go to the U.S. Consulate for an application

Ten Tips for Travel Under the New Security Rules

Arrive earlyHave proper id such

as driver’s licenses, passports, military id

Get your ticket on boarding pass before you arrive* (procedures are changing)

Avoid using the Ticket Counter if you have nothing to check

Make sure carryon bags have been cleaned out –no unacceptable items should be left in them

Any questions about the content.

Please contact Minette Ellis413-9548

mmellis@gsu.edu

* Special thanks to Calif Polytechnical State University