Health, Safety and Security Concerns in Study Abroad

Emergency Assistance line:
517-353-3784 (Details on accessing emergency assistance while abroad)

OSA's Policies regarding U.S. State Department Travel Warnings

State Department's Homepage

MSU is dedicated to offering a wide variety of study abroad opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse student population.  MSU has recognized the importance of establishing policies and procedures in the effort to protect the safety and well-being of study abroad participants, while acknowledging that no single plan can address all contingencies. listed below are a few of the ways MSU strives to keep study abroad, before and during your participation, as safe as possible.

• OSA regularly and responsibly monitors safety issues in each of our program locations. A review of all study abroad programs at departmental, college, and university levels is conducted in which safety, security, and overall quality are measured.
• OSA is one of the few study abroad office's in the country to employ a full-time travel security analyst responsible for overseeing health and safety concerns and serving as first responder to any emergency abroad involving MSU students, faculty or staff.
• Each MSU program's safety and security conditions are evaluated by an independent committee. The Study Abroad Risk and Security Assessment Committee is headed by a senior university official appointed by the President and Provost. The committee has ultimate authority for approving the safety of programs and sites, and has the ability to cancel programs or revise them to address safety and security concerns.
• All participants are required to attend one or more general orientation sessions that stress safety issues and understanding cultural differences. Most programs also provide a country-specific orientation in which safety precautions are outlined.
• Emergency procedures are in place, including medical and general emergency evacuation procedures. In any emergency, OSA has plans to be in contact with faculty and students abroad. MSU's procedures for handling emergencies abroad have served as a model for other institutions.
• All program leaders who accompany a MSU study abroad programs are required to attend an Emergency Preparedness and Response Seminar conducted by the Office of Study Abroad's Health and Safety Team.
• All who accompany a study abroad program are required to carry an international cell phone to facilitate emergency communications.
• In addition a collect-call phone number has been established to provide emergency assistance to members of the MSU community who are abroad on University business or study abroad. This number will connect callers directly to the MSU Police Operations Desk. Calls are processed following a detailed emergency response protocol. The phone number and procedures, produced on a wallet-size card, are given to all students at orientation.
• The Office of Study Abroad strives to keep students, faculty, and parents informed of conditions and decisions related to student safety and well-being. However, in these changing times, it is necessary that each student take responsibility for his/her own safety by staying informed and conducting themselves accordingly. This web site as well as the Study Abroad Student Guide and the Study Abroad Program Leader Guide are designed to provide tools and resources about a variety of such issues. Below are some specific sections of both guides that may be of interest:
  • Specific health, safety and security Information for students (from the Student Guide)
    • Preparing for flight delays
    • MSU Travel Clinic
    • International health Insurance
    • Insurance coverage before or after your program
    • Everyday safety tips
    • Emergency assistance (while abroad)
  • Specific health, safety and security information for program leaders (From the Program Leader Guide)
    • Community building
    • Emergency seminars information
    • Program leader/assistant health insurance
    • Responding to general emergencies
    • Loss or theft of passport or credit cards while abroad

If you have any questions regarding travel health, safety or security, please contact Cindy Chalou chalouc@msu.edu, Office of Study Abroad, (517) 353-8920.

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