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Safety Abroad

Hello Marist World Travelers:

On behalf of all of us here at Marist International Programs I want to assure you that we are looking out for you. Marist College International Programs adheres to the safety guidelines of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, headquartered in Washington DC. We have procedures in place for an emergency, and you are welcome to be in touch with us by e-mail.

We would like to share with you what we are doing from our end and what we would like of you to do on your side:

• We are in touch on a regular basis with all Resident Advisors or host institution international offices;
• We would like all of you to do the following:
  • Maintain a low profile;
  • Avoid using clothes that have American logos or names of cities and or universities on them (including ALL baseball caps);
  • Avoid being in large groups;
  • Try not to talk too loudly in public areas;
  • Stay away from visible American businesses such as McDonalds, American Express;
  • "Stay Informed;" (watch TV or read the news)
  • Follow the advice of Program Advisors;
  • Stay calm at all times;
• Overseas Program Advisors are in touch with US Embassy or Consular officials. They will provide appropriate and necessary local and regional information to you when necessary;
• There is no need to frequent the embassy or consular offices in person unless you have to in case you misplace your passport, etc;
• All sites have our contact information in case of any emergency;
• Host sites will arrange information meetings and counseling sessions (when warranted) to assist you; feel free to talk to your resident advisors;
• If you are planning independent excursions please provide a detailed information itinerary to the Resident Advisor as to the place you are visiting, with who, for how long and name of hotel;
• Please refrain from providing any opinions to newspapers or media personnel. Do not sign any petitions of any kind and avoid all demonstrations;

If you have a mobile phone or a land-line, please share that number with us, in case we need to contact you.

If you did not book your flight through Advantage Travel, please send us a fax of your ticket for our records.

You may have questions related to evacuation procedures. Evacuation would happen only if and when the US Department of State indicates that all US citizens must leave a country. What is currently announced by the state department is a "World Wide Caution." A "caution" is not a "travel warning" or "evacuation." In the past two years, the State Department has issued cautions as a result of world events, conflicts in certain countries, health epidemics, and other reasons. These cautions are to remind Americans who live abroad or are traveling abroad to be alert.

We work closely with Advantage Travel. Should the US government advise evacuation, Advantage Travel will make arrangements to put you on the first available flights. Advantage Travel has all the necessary ticket information on students who made arrangements through them. If you did not make arrangements with Advantage Travel, please send us a copy of your ticket and we will share this information with them. In the event of an emergency, Advantage Travel has graciously agreed to work with us for your safe return (this applies to ALL students).

Yes, these are difficult times. We prefer to be optimistic about the future and open-minded about the world. Traveling is a gift. There will be times when you have to be a realist too, but that does not mean you have to become alarmed. Assess each situation. You are probably getting information from various sources. Give it some thought. People in general, at all the places you are studying, are kind and helpful. Sometimes you might sense that the local population sees things or approaches issues in a different way. That is because they are thinking from their cultural perspective. All of you are studying abroad to learn about this.

Remember, we are always here should you have any questions or concerns.

-The Marist International Programs staff