Health and Safety

COVID-19

The reality of study abroad is drastically changing due to COVID-19 and its global impact. Changes and provisions are constantly being made to ensure student safety.

Due to the current global outbreak of COVID-19, all university-sponsored international travel, including study abroad, is suspended.

The Office of Study Abroad will not be offering study abroad programs for the rest of the calendar year 2020. Spring 2021 semester-long programs may be approved on a case-by-case basis; however, we will continue assessing for health, safety, and travel conditions. If such conditions are not safe, the travel restriction could be extended.

For more, please visit the WTAMU Coronavirus page: https://www.wtamu.edu/about/information/covid-19/index.html

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation

When study abroad resumes as normal, all students participating in an OSA approved study abroad program (faculty-led, reciprocal, provider program, or individual study) must attend a pre-departure orientation prior to their departure. The OSA will inform students of the date and time of these pre-departure orientations. If for any reason the student does not attend a pre-departure orientation, they will not be eligible to participate in the study abroad program.

Some of the topics in the pre-departure orientation include, but are not limited to:
General recommendations, documents, insurance, travel regulations, packing, money, flight, arrival and jet lag, culture shock, academic responsibility, phone calls, health and safety, in case of an emergency, and standards of conduct.

Insurance and Vaccinations

Find out if vaccinations are required for the country or countries you plan to visit. Also, read about health warnings for other countries, tips for traveling abroad, and our insurance policy with CISI (below).

All students studying abroad are required to have health and medical insurance for the duration of their time abroad. Most affiliated program providers will offer health insurance in their program fees; the OSA and Risk Management will review the coverage offered by the provider to determine if the policy meets our minimum standards of coverage.

All WTAMU students on faculty-led study abroad programs are required to have Health and Travel Insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). For information on coverage, please see the brochure at CISI or contact the OSA.

• CISI, vaccinations by region, english speaking doctors overseas, and U.S. embassy locations: Resources and Links
• World Health Organization: www.who.int/en/
• The Center for Global Education - An International Resource Center - Safety Abroad First (SAFETI): www.globaled.us/safeti/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov

As a reminder, students are required to abide the WTAMU Student Code of Conduct while enrolled in the university; this includes your enrollment while abroad.

In case you are not sure where to find it, here's a quick access to the WTAMU Code of Student Life.

The U.S. Department of State provides information regarding international issues including policy, travel warnings, and more. The U.S. Department of State also offers great resources for students abroad, so make sure you check them out!

• Travel warnings and travel alerts: www.travel.state.gov
• Students Abroad: http://studentsabroad.state.gov
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/step

Travel Regulations and U.S. Customs

Curious about travel regulations or what to bring to or from your host country? The following resources can help you find the answers:

• Travel Security Administration: www.tsa.gov
• U.S. Customs: https://help.cbp.gov
• U.S. Embassy and Consulate locations by country: www.usembassy.gov

Airfare

When the time comes to book your flight, check out Student Universe. Of course, do not limit yourself to this sole resource; if you find a more convenient itinerary elsewhere, go with what you think is best.

You can set trackers and watch flight prices through Google Flights and Hopper, the flight tracking app for phones. In addition, try the following airlines and internet search engines:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• British Airways
• Delta Airlines
• Orbitz
• Travelocity
• Expedia
• Cheaptickets
• Kayak
• Priceline

Money

"How much is that in U.S. dollars?" Instead of guessing, prepare yourself financially by knowing the exchange rate for your host country. Have a plan for finances. Will you use an ATM/Debit card to withdrawal cash? Do you plan to use a credit card? Be sure to notify your bank of your destination(s) so that they do not freeze your account.
We always encourage travelers to have additional finances available in the case of an emergency. 

Find an excange rate calculator here:

• XE: www.xe.com

Phone and Data

We encourage students to unplug, be present, and fully experience their study abroad program in full. However, we do understand the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones while abroad. 

For students with questions about phone service while abroad, we suggest the following options:

• Turn your phone on airplane mode and only use WIFI. While traveling, you can find many places that offer free WIFI: your hotel, cafes, museums, airports, train stations, and even city centers. This is free and ideal for those studying abroad for a shorter amount of time.
• Request that your phone company unlock your phone so that you can use it internationally. This will allow you to purchase an inexpensive SIM card and pay for data month-by-month in-country. This is ideal for students studying abroad for a semester.
• Research your phone company's international plan offerings. You can purchase international service for the length of your stay. Though this is expensive, this is ideal for those who desire to be in contact and accessible by others outside of their program country. 

Learn to make phone calls to and from your host country. Don't wait until you get there to figure this out!

Country calling codes: www.countrycallingcodes.com/index.php

What's going on in the world? There is nothing like being up-to-date with international issues! 

• U.S. Department of State: www.state.gov
• Reuters: www.reuters.com
• CNN: www.cnn.com

Country Specific Research

The following websites have useful information specific for the country you plan to visit. Enjoy learning and planning your travels!

• Study Abroad: www.studyabroad.com 
• Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com 
• Frommer's: www.frommers.com

Weather

Be sure to check out the weather in your host country. This will allow to pack accordingly and prepare for weather changes! 

• Weather channel: www.weather.com 

If you find that adjusting while abroad has been difficult, know that you are not alone. Oftentimes, when we travel to new places, we experience changes, and our bodies experience these changes as well.

We are proud of our University Counseling resources. While you are abroad, you can login to Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) and access modules to work through.

TAO Connect Portal

We care a great deal about this topic; one of our study abroad professors in the Counseling Department shared a bit about her knowledge and experience with Culture Shock. You can find the mentioned article here: Buffs Abroad Fall 2019.

Know that we are here for you; please reach out if you need anything.

Emergency and Liability Forms
All students participating in an OSA approved study abroad program must review the Terms of Participation which outlines students responsibility while participating in a study abroad program, and includes an acceptance form, FERPA Waiver, Waiver of Liability Form (with listed witness), Medical Consent & Emergency Contact Form, and Verification of Insurance. This is completed prior to studying abroad. Students will not be eligible to study abroad if these forms have not been completed and returned to the OSA prior to departure. To access emergency and liability forms, please go to the Forms page.

Emergency Situations
Students and faculty should contact the OSA with emergencies at +1 806.651.5309 during office hours. The OSA will work with students, whether it be an evacuation, medical assistance, or any other type of emergency. If it is after hours, please contact the University Police Department at +1 806.651.2300.

Students on faculty-led study abroad must contact CISI directly at the numbers below:
Calling toll-free from within the US: 855.327.1411
Calling from outside of the US, collect calls accepted: 312.935.1703.

Pathways to Safety - empowering victims of interpersonal and gender based violence abroad: https://pathwaystosafety.org/