Travel Preparation & Safety Tips

Are you prepared?

As educators in international studies, we work hard to ensure that our students are prepared to handle a variety of emergency situations. Our office receives regular travel safety information from a variety of national and international organizations. In the event of an emergency, the College's risk management team would assemble to discuss the situation and determine what steps would need to be taken.

To help students better prepare for their study away experience, the Office of Study Away requires that students carefully read the CC Study Away Guide and Handbook, which is an A-Z guide of all issues relating to study away at CC, including:

- Basic Passport and Visa Information
- The Study Away Application and Acceptance Processes
- Information about courses, credits, and required paperwork
- Health and safety protocols and CC contact information
- Helpful pre-departure checklists
- Frequently asked questions

CISLA students should also consult the Junior Year Guidelines & Pre-Departure Manual, available on ePortfolio, for CISLA-specific advice and requirements.

Students must also attend the CC Pre-Departure Meeting (held each semester), as well as their study abroad program's own on-site orientation meeting(s). In addition to these, CISLA holds an additional required pre-departure meeting for its students covering issues specific to the CISLA experience.

To further prepare students, staff, faculty and parents for a comfortable and safe international travel experience, we highly recommend utilizing the following web sites:

International Student Identity Card
UNESCO endorses the ISIC card and recognizes it as the unique document for student travel and cultural exchange, as well as the only official internationally recognized proof of student status. The card also provides special discounts for local attractions, accommodations, and travel services, in addition to basic travel insurance coverage.

STA Travel
STA Travel is an international student travel agency that offers a unique range of flights, accommodations, tours, and expeditions, as well as informative travel resources.

BBC: Country Profiles
This site provides in-depth, country-specific background information (historical, political, economic).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
An excellent online resource where student's can learn about health-related topics effecting their study abroad destinations.

World Health Organization - International Travel & Health
Another excellent online resource to learn more about country specific vaccinations, outbreaks, and other health issues.

U.S. State Department Links
The following links provide both general and country-specific advice that can be extremely helpful in preventing and facilitating assistance to travelers in an emergency situations. We recommend reading these sites prior to departure. CISLA students are also required to register their travel with the State Department at the link below prior to leaving for their internship.

State Department Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Consular Information Sheets

STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

Safety Information from our Program Providers

IES Safety Abroad

IFSA Butler Programs: Health and Safety Abroad

School for Field Studies (SFS): Health and Safety

SIT Study Abroad: Health, Safety, and Security

Recommended Resources for Cultural Preparation

What's Up With Culture: Online Cultural Training Resource for Study Abroad

Culture Matters: Online Workbook developed for the Peace Corps

Brown University, Diversity Issues on Study Abroad