Preparing for Study Abroad

• Ensure that your TLU student account is all paid or that you have made payment arrangements.
• Verify that your TLU login and password works before going abroad, so that you can register online, and check your grades and class schedule while abroad.
• Apply or reapply for financial aid for the next academic year.
• Make arrangements to protect your on- or off-campus job for when you return home.
• Take a small gift(s) from where you’re from for your host family, such as something Texas-themed, from your hometown, or from TLU.

Packing Tips

• The first rule of travel is to pack lightly. Remember that whatever you pack, you will have to carry. Though you may not have to haul your luggage for miles over rough terrain, navigating a city’s public transportation system with even a small, wheeled suitcase can be a physical and cultural challenge. Paying airport fees for overweight bags is also expensive.
• The second rule of travel is to pack selectively. Though you will be packing for a stay of several weeks or months, you will not need all that you think you need. Pack your suitcase(s) early and then remove about half of what you packed. There are most likely going to be a few things you never wear during your trip, so be selective!
• Research the climate and average monthly temperatures in your host country and pack accordingly. Regardless of the climate, it’s always good practice to pack clothing that can be layered and is easy to care for (leave clothes that need dry cleaning at home).
• Take a pair of good walking shoes and at least one outfit that can be worn for any special occasion that might arise—but don’t take any outfit that can only be worn for a special occasion. Rather than a suit or formal dress, take a pair of nice slacks or skirt, a good shirt, and a tie or dressy sweater.

The Essentials

(pack these in your carry-on luggage)

• Passport + a photocopy
• Driver’s license or state identification
• Copy of program acceptance letter
• Airline boarding pass
• Credit/debit card + photocopy
• Refillable water bottle (no liquids in it until you pass security)
• Prescription medication + written prescription: If you have a prescribed medication, talk to your doctor before your trip to figure out those details.
• Extra glasses/contact lenses + written prescription
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Universal adaptor: A lot of countries use different electrical systems than the U.S. so you’ll need an adaptor to charge your phone and laptop, or to use a blow dryer or hair straightener.

Recommended

• Crossbody purse or bag (to put your essentials in when you do not need a full backpack)
• Cell phone + charger (for those long plane, bus, or other transportation rides)
• Layerable, easy-care clothes (you don’t want to bring too many bulky items)
• One “nice” outfit (for a special dinner, etc.)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shower flip-flops
• Suitable outerwear (rain jacket, umbrella, winter coat, etc.)

Once you arrive in your host country, settle in, start classes, and begin navigating your way around your new home—but don’t completely lose touch with home. Remember to:

• Notify your advisor and the TLU International Education office about any changes to your proposed schedule and to seek approval for any new classes you wish to use to fulfill a degree requirement.
• Keep in touch! Let us know how you are doing and tell us what’s amazing, what’s going well, and what’s not so good. Always feel free to send photos to the International Education office so they may share them with others on campus.
• Pay any outstanding balances to the program/host school, so that your transcript will not be delayed once you return to TLU.
• Get the contact information for those you meet while abroad so you can keep in touch via social media or email once you return home.
• Thank your program staff and any particularly helpful faculty and tutors.
• Thank your host family (if you stayed with one) for opening up their home to you. You may want to buy them a small gift while there if you did not bring one from home.

Remember, as you prepare to return to the United States and to TLU, there are both practical and personal issues that you will need to attend to.

Coming home doesn’t mean that you are no longer engaged in education abroad: Your experiences abroad will have a lasting effect on how you see the world, how you view others, and how you see yourself.

Preliminary Phase

The preliminary phase includes anticipation of and preparation for your journey. It is characterized by a growing awareness of the host culture, preparation for the trip, and involvement in farewell activities.

Initial Euphoria

The initial euphoric phase begins with your arrival in the new country. Everything seems wonderful and exciting at first, and you are struck by how similar people seem to be.

Irritability

During the irritability phase, your focus turns from the similarities to the differences. You will be acclimating to your setting and will likely become frustrated with elementary aspects of everyday life because things still appear so foreign to you. Insignificant difficulties can seem like major problems. One typical reaction during this stage is to associate mainly with other Americans—but remember, you are going abroad to get to know your host country, its people, culture, and language. If you avoid contact with others, you cheat yourself out of valuable experiences and lengthen the process of adaptation. This phase is often called “culture shock.”

Gradual Adjustment

When you become more used to the new culture, you will slip into the gradual adjustment stage—you may not even be aware that this is happening. You will begin to orient yourself, to interpret subtle cultural clues, and to feel comfortable and familiar with the culture.

Adaptation and Biculturalism

Eventually, not only will you be more comfortable with the host culture, but you may also feel a part of it and even value aspects of it over your native culture.

Culture Shock is a term that psychologists use to describe the disorientation people experience when they move for an extended period of time to a culture different from their own. Some of the symptoms of relatively severe cases of culture shock include:

• Homesickness
• Boredom
• Withdrawal (e.g., spending excessive time alone or only with Americans)
• Excessive sleeping or eating
• Irritability
• Stereotyping of or hostility toward host nationals
• Physical or psychosomatic ailments

Although not everyone will suffer from such dramatic symptoms, students going abroad will all likely experience some degree of culture shock. In fact, recent studies have shown that virtually everyone who lives abroad goes through a distinct set of phases as they adjust to their new culture.

Once abroad, you can take some steps to minimize emotional and physical ups and downs.

• Learn as much as you can about the host country before going.
• Keep yourself healthy through regular exercise, staying hydrated, and sticking to good eating habits.
• Get enough sleep. While staying out late can be fun, your body is still adjusting to the new time zone.
• Try to establish routines that incorporate both the difficult and enjoyable tasks of the day or week.
• Don’t expect things to be the same as they are at home. You have left home to experience new things.
• Stay in touch with your friends and family, but don’t just call them when you are lonely or frustrated. Share your accomplishments and the positive moments with them as well. They will like knowing that you are enjoying your time abroad.
• Don’t confuse difference with inferiority. The U.S. is a unique and well-developed country, but that does not necessarily make it the best one. Others will likely love their country as much as you may love the U.S.
• Don’t judge the people of a country by the one person with whom you have trouble with.
• Resist looking down on or making jokes and comments about the host culture. Avoid others who take part in such derogatory remarks.
• Treat yourself to an occasional indulgence, such as an American magazine or newspaper, a favorite meal or beverage, or a long talk with other Americans experiencing the same challenges.
• Accept invitations to activities that will allow you to see parts of the host culture outside the classroom and help you to meet new people.
• Remember that you are a guest in the host country and that when you treat a host with respect, you will be treated similarly.
• Be flexible and open to new experiences. Your trip, classes, or stay may not be exactly what you expected. Be open to change and all that comes with it.
• Above all, keep an open mind, be sensitive to the feelings of others, and maintain your sense of humor.

The best advice on when to apply for a U.S. passport is to apply now. Waiting will cost more money and stress.

Changes in passport requirements for travel have significantly increased processing times. Currently, the U.S. State Department estimates that the average time to process an application for a new passport or to renew an existing passport is 4−6 weeks.

You may also need to apply for a student visa to study abroad as well, which can also take up to 8 weeks, depending on the country. For those who pay an additional fee to expedite their passport application, the estimated processing time is 3 weeks.

You may apply for a passport in person at an approved passport facility. In Seguin, you can apply in person at The Guadalupe County Clerk’s Office. They will take your photo and you submit your application to them. Please note that if you are under 18, parental consent may be requested and a parent may need to accompany you when you apply.

To apply for a passport, you will need to do the following:

1. Complete the online application (Form DS-11).

2. Print off the completed application, but do not sign the application. When you take your application and all supporting materials to the passport acceptance facility, you will then be directed to sign the form in the presence of a witness.

3. Provide proof of US citizenship. Note that all documentation submitted as evidence of citizenship will be returned with the issued passport. Citizenship can be proved with one of the following documents:

• A certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state: A certified birth certificate has a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office.
• A previously issued U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• A Naturalization Certificate
• A Certificate of Citizenship

If you do not have any of these, please refer to the travel.state.gov site for alternative documentation.

4. Present proof of your identity. The following documents are acceptable forms of proof:

• Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of identity)
• Naturalization Certificate
• Current, valid driver’s license, government ID, or military ID

5. Provide TWO passport-sized photos (2 X 2 inches), taken within the past six months. (NOTE: You will likely need to submit additional photos with your study abroad application and for a visa application if an entry visa is required for study abroad in your host country, so you may want to have additional photos taken at the same time.)

6. Provide your Social Security card.

7. Pay the $140 fee ($110, if you are renewing) and $25 execution fee. We recommend that you also pay the $60 fee to expedite your application if you plan to travel soon or if you need to apply for a student visa. You should also consider paying for overnight delivery service, both to submit your application and to secure your passport’s speedy delivery once it has been issued.

Once you have submitted your application, you can check the status of your application online.

How long is my passport valid?

If you were 15 or younger when you received your passport, your passport is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. If you received your passport when you were 16 or older, it will be valid for 10 years.

What is a passport card?

The U.S. passport card does not replace your passport and cannot be used for international travel by air. The card can only be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

Do I need to purchase a passport card AND a passport?

No. The U.S. passport card can only be used at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry to the previously mentioned countries. Your U.S. passport book (and visa, if required) will allow international travel by air, sea, and land. Your study abroad program and/or home institution will require that you have a passport that is valid six months after you return to the U.S.

When should I renew my passport?

You should renew your passport approximately 9 months before it expires. Keep in mind that some countries require your passport to still be valid for no less than six months after your scheduled return from your education abroad program. If you’ve reached the point where your passport has only 2-4 blank visa/stamp pages, then it is time to renew or have pages added. There have been cases where airlines did not allow passengers to board if these requirements were not met.

If I don’t need the Passport Card to study abroad, what can I use it for?

Some people use the passport card as a second form of identification. For example, if your passport is stolen, you will have another form of identification. Also, instead of carrying around your passport while you travel within a city, you can use your U.S. passport card as a form of ID.

Pack photocopies of your passport, immunizations, and birth certificate when traveling abroad (keep these copies separate from the real documents). Leave additional copies at home with your parents or guardians. Request a 48-page passport when you apply for a new passport so you will not have to pay to have pages added at a later date if you need them.

Some countries require that U.S. citizens apply for and receive an entrance visa, depending on the length and purpose of their stay. A visa is an official document giving permission to enter a country and is granted by the government of the country you wish to enter. The visa may be in the form of a stamp imprinted on a page in your passport, or it may be an official document that includes a photograph.

• If you are planning to study abroad in a country for an extended period of time, you may need a student visa or residency permit. (Note: Some students participating in programs that travel through a number of countries may need to apply for multiple visas.) In most instances, you will need to receive the visa before you depart.
• Note: If your host country requires that you obtain a visa in order to study there, you must do so—this is non-negotiable.
• Visa requirements vary from country to country. Information relating to all visas may be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate of the country or countries in which you will study and/or travel.
• When you receive notification of acceptance to your study abroad program, the program provider should inform you of visa requirements and the application process. In addition, your program may need to provide you with certain documents that you are required to submit with the visa application.
• Some countries require that you submit your visa application in person at the appropriate consulate, and that you make an appointment to do so. If this is the case for the country in which you plan to study, you should contact the consulate sooner rather than later (remember that every student who wishes to study abroad in that country will also be seeking an appointment and that the consulate will be flooded with requests).

Learn More About Student Visas

Top Ten Dos

1. Do apply for your passport (if you don’t already have a current one) several months before submitting your application for a visa.

2. Do find out the earliest and the latest dates you can submit your application for your visa. Ideally, apply as close to the opening date as possible but definitely within the required time frame. If the consulate says you must apply at least 60 days before your departure, this means no less than 60 days, and for some this can be no less than 120 days before departure. Some visa offices become overwhelmed the month before most education abroad programs begin and those offices can announce cutbacks or even a halt in visa processing.

3. Do follow all the visa requirements given by the consulate that has jurisdiction over your home or, if allowed, your student address. Follow the instructions very carefully and be sure to submit all of the required documents.

4. Do arrange/stack your application and accompanying paperwork in the exact order given on the instructions from the consulate. Then use a binder clip and place in a large envelope so they stay in order.

5. Do make copies for yourself of all documents being submitted to the consulate. Be sure to also provide any extra copies if the consulate requires them. Students have been turned away because they didn’t provide both the original documents and the required number of copies.

6. Do make an appointment with the consulate (if one is required) as early as permitted. Make sure you have all the documents you need before your appointment (i.e. copies of your acceptance letters, bank statements, notarized letters of support, doctors letters, your passport, etc.).

7. Do communicate in a cordial and respectful tone when speaking with consular officers. Be patient and understanding. Sometimes there is only one person in the visa office handling hundreds or even thousands of visa applications.

8. Do contact the TLU International Education office or program provider if you are having a hard time getting an appointment with a consulate.

9. Do check the holiday schedule of the consulate for any closures when planning to go there. Keep in mind that the consulate will probably be closed for holidays occurring in the host country.

10. Do ask for the name of any person you speak with at the consulate and keep a record of it.

Top Ten Don’ts

1. Don’t forget to check and double-check your visa application and all required documentation before your visit to the consulate. Don’t overlook or rush through anything. Put all documents in the order listed in the instructions. You could be turned away if your documents are not in perfect order according to their requirements.

2. Don’t make travel plans that could conflict with the visa process timeline. Remember that you have to submit your passport with your visa application, so you won’t have your passport for travel until the consulate returns it to you.

3. Don’t expect to receive your passport and visa prior to your departure date if your documents were submitted late, or during the “high volume” period for the consulate (usually 4-6 week before most education abroad programs begin).

4. Don’t mask out account numbers on bank documents unless the consulate has given permission or instructions to do so.

5. Don’t submit scanned copies of personal photos as a substitute for passport-sized photos, which are required for submission with your passport as well as visa applications. Officially accepted passport photos can be taken at select U.S. Postal Service offices and many chain drugstores (Walgreens and CVS).

6. Don’t staple when you should glue, and don’t glue when you should staple. This is an important distinction.

7. Don’t write a personal check to apply for visa fees; most consulates only accept money orders. Confirm the payment requirements with the consulate before your appointment.

8. Don’t mail your visa application if you are required to submit your documents in person.

9. Don’t expect that you can extend your visa or apply for a visa for another country while you are abroad. For example, if you are studying in Spain in the fall and want to extend your stay for the spring semester, you would have to return to the U.S. to apply for another visa.

10. Don’t expect or request exceptions to the rules. They will not be granted.

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
is widely recognized around the world and with it you are eligible for discounts on such things as airfares, insurance coverage, lodging, and admission fees for museums and cultural sites.

This card, next to your passport and visa, is one of the more valuable travel documents you can have. The ISIC card is widely recognized around the world and with it you are eligible for discounts on such things as airfares, insurance coverage, lodging, and admission fees for museums and cultural sites.

In addition, the ISIC provides supplemental health insurance (you should not depend on the ISIC as your sole source of health coverage) and gives you access to a toll-free help line for assistance with medical, legal, or financial emergencies.

Many programs provide participants with an ISIC. If your program does not, you can purchase one for $25 from www.isic.org.

What You’ll Need:

• A digital photo in .jpg or jpeg format with a white or blue background.
• A scanned copy showing proof of full-time student status clearly displaying the date of issue in jpeg, .jpg, or pdf format (for example: your university ID card, a letter from your school, official enrollment letter, etc.).
• A scanned copy of your proof of identity in .jpg, jpeg, or pdf format (for example: your passport, national identity card, or driver’s license).
• Your method of payment (PayPal, credit card).

When Will My Card Arrive?

It usually takes 3-4 weeks to process your application and deliver the card to you.

How Can I Receive My Card Quicker?

Take the required documents to your local ISIC issuing outlet and receive your card on the spot.

As soon as your student status is confirmed with ISIC, your ISIC profile is activated. You can get great ISIC benefits online by logging in to your ISIC account.

As part of your pre-departure research, consult the Centers for Disease Control for comments on health issues specific to your program location, including current information on disease outbreaks and immunization requirements.

You should also discuss studying abroad with your health care provider(s). They should be apprised of where you are going and for how long, and you can talk with them at the same time about any prescriptions you are currently taking. The TLU campus nurse can also give some general information.

Health Insurance

Students participating in a study abroad program through TLU are automatically covered by TLU’s international travel insurance, administered by Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators (EIIA). This insurance offers reimbursable coverage for major medical care, as well as coverage for medical evacuation, emergency family travel, repatriation, and security evacuation coverage. There is no additional charge for this insurance, and students are provided with details on coverage as part of the pre-departure orientation.

Some programs require students to purchase additional health insurance through them; others require or provide an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which provides some health coverage. Regardless of program requirements, you should make sure you understand precisely what your policy covers (and, more importantly, what it doesn’t).

If you are interested in purchasing additional travel insurance, the U.S. State Department provides a list of names of travel insurance companies.

Dental Insurance

Get your biannual check-up and take care of any pains or problems before traveling. It is much better to have any dental procedures done with your primary dentist and with your current insurance prior to leaving the U.S.

Prescription Medication

If you take prescription medications regularly, consult with your physician before you depart. You should, if practical, bring a supply to last throughout your time abroad—and leave them in their original prescription containers. You should also bring a copy of your written prescription and possibly a letter from your physician describing the condition being treated and offering additional information on the medication and dosages. Ask that the letter use generic rather than brand names. Carry both the medication and any documentation, such as the written prescription and physician’s letter, with you in your carry-on luggage and be prepared to present them to customs officials if asked. Do not plan to have family or friends ship medicines or vitamins to you while you are abroad. At best, they may be held up in customs; but many countries have much more stringent drug laws, so shipping medications may lead to legal trouble.

The stresses that sometimes come with studying abroad can exacerbate or lead to recurrence of anxiety, depression, and/or eating disorders. If you are currently on prescription medication for these or similar conditions, now is not the time to go off your medication. If you are diabetic or have another medical condition that requires the use of a syringe, look into bringing a supply of disposable syringes, which may not be available in your host country. Note: Some countries, however, restrict the importation of syringes—as well as of certain medications and contraceptives. Before departure, research the policies of your host country as they pertain to any medications you take regularly.

Narcotic Medications

If you are prescribed narcotic or other habit-forming medication, discuss this with the program provider prior to your departure. Plan to bring a physician’s letter with you, and register the prescription information with the local U.S. Embassy at your destination.

Use of non-prescription narcotic substances is strictly prohibited and can be cause for dismissal from your program. Moreover, you will be subject to local laws governing and penalties for the use, transportation, and/or possession of controlled substances. International drug penalties are generally more severe than those in the United States. In some countries, simple acquisition of prohibited drugs, including marijuana and other controlled substances, can result in heavy fines, deportation, and prison sentences ranging from months to years—and in some countries, these acts are considered a capital offense. Don’t risk it.

Prescription Lenses

Take an extra pair of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses if you wear them, and bring a copy of the prescription, as well. If you wear contacts, consider bringing extra contact lens solution. It’s better to be prepared than to not be able to see or to have to pay a large amount to get new glasses/contact lenses.

Speak with your family and your health care professionals about warning signs and steps to take if you have been treated in the past for a condition that may recur. It is helpful to alert the program resident staff abroad of any possible instances that may occur regarding your health.

Speak with your family about what you should do in the event of the death of a grandparent, favorite aunt, etc.—especially if someone is ill at the time of your departure. It is best to make decisions about returning for a funeral or other arrangements ahead of time and not when you are many miles away, during an emotional time.

The most common crime abroad is theft. The most common causes of injury or death abroad are traffic accidents and incidents related to alcohol or drugs. The same is probably true for every campus in the United States, including TLU.

The dangers are the same, but realistically, students do need to learn how to prepare for and respond to safety issues in a new cultural context. For instance, the emergency number 911 does not work abroad. More information is given to students during the pre-departure orientation sessions. Programs and institutions abroad also address these issues in a more site-specific context in their own pre-departure materials and on-site orientations.

We strongly encourage our students to read thoroughly and to take seriously the risk and safety information provided below, and from their respective program providers, and to stay aware of current events in the countries in which they will be studying.

Awareness

Students should be aware of local hotspots and events. Read local newspapers and magazines, and keep up with international newspapers (for example: Herald Tribune, Newsweek, Economist, and Financial Times). Learn from the Program Resident Director and locals which areas of town are safe or dangerous and when to avoid certain locations. For example, normally safe areas may become more risky late at night, or during soccer games or political rallies. Determine which means of transportation are safe and secure, and at what time of day. Which is safer late at night: public transportation (buses, subways, etc.) or taxis? This varies from country to country. When traveling from a familiar city to an unfamiliar area, ask for advice and research safe areas before departing.

Communication

Students must also notify the Resident Program Staff of any travel plans, including dates and locations. It is also a good idea to notify family and the International Education office as well. Students are asked to check in regularly with their loved ones, by phone, email, etc. Cell phones are quite inexpensive in many countries and many plans do not charge to receive calls. Students should inquire with their program provider which cell phone plans are best. For many parents, simply knowing that they can reach their student at any time, day or night, reduces lingering anxiety considerably. You are also free to contact us at the TLU International Education office if you have a concern, or just to check in. We love hearing about how your program is going.

Cultural Common Sense

Gaining cross-cultural understanding is one of the most important and profound learning experiences students have while abroad. Students can apply their newfound cross-cultural understanding to help preserve their safety. The first point is to recognize that cultures are different, even if they appear similar. While all cultures value safety and stability, the ways they achieve those things may vary considerably. Students can enhance their experience and personal safety by learning the answers to the following cultural questions:

• What do people in this culture value most?
• How are reputations made or ruined?
• What behaviors, manners, or clothing blend in and which distract or draw attention?
• How do people respond to uncertainty or difference? Are they open or do they feel threatened?
• What are the cultural norms for alcohol in the host country?
• What reputation do American students have? Do my actions, behavior, and dress reinforce the negative or the positive?

Personal Responsibility

There are many individuals who take to heart the safety and security of study abroad students, including parents and friends, TLU staff and faculty, the hosting institution, and people responsible for accommodation abroad. However, no one will be as involved or concerned as you the student and your parents/guardians. Personal safety and security begin with the multitude of decisions each student makes on a daily basis. This includes the transportation methods you choose, who you associate with, when and where you go out, as well as other decisions. By being aware, employing cultural common sense, and making responsible, intelligent choices, students can greatly reduce the safety risks that can possibly arise. By far, the greatest threat to student safety involves alcohol. While it is well known that alcohol impairs judgment, that fact is often ignored and taken for granted. Although drinking across cultures is not necessarily a negative thing, overindulgence, especially in an unfamiliar country, can result in negative consequences.

TLU policy and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in employment and education programs and activities. Title IX protects all persons from sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. TLU will process all sex discrimination complaints it receives, including complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence, regardless of where the conduct occurred, to determine whether the conduct occurred in the context of an employment or education program or activity or had continuing effects on campus. If alleged off-campus sexual harassment or sexual violence occurs in the context of an education program or activity or had continuing effects on campus, the complaint will be treated the same as a complaint involving on-campus conduct. This includes complaints of sexual assault or harassment by students, employees, and third parties.

Title IX Abroad

Rape and sexual assault can happen to women and men of all ages and backgrounds anywhere in the world. Sexual assault is defined as any unwanted sexual contact, including rape.

Victims do not cause sexual assault. It is wrong for anyone to have any sexual contact with you without your consent—regardless of how well someone knows you, how much you’ve had to drink, or whether some of the sexual activity was consensual.

Cultural and social attitudes toward rape and sexual assault victims may vary greatly in different countries. The support you receive from law officials and others, in addition to the resources available to you, will vary from country to country. In the United States, for example, if you tell a medical professional that you have been raped, he or she is legally required to report your name and situation to the police. However, you have the legal right to refuse speaking with the police. Laws in other countries may provide you with more or less decision-making power. Therefore, it is important to consult with the program resident staff abroad.

If you have been sexually assaulted while abroad, get yourself to a safe place and consider talking to a friend and/or to the program resident staff abroad as soon as possible. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot make it home for the night, be sure you are in a safe and secure environment. Call your program resident staff member abroad immediately. Consider getting medical attention.

TLU officials on campus, program resident staff abroad, and host institution officials will be as helpful and responsive as possible with you if you choose to report rape or sexual assault, or attempted rape or sexual assault.

Resources

• TLU Nondiscrimination and IX Coordinators
• SASHHA Sexual Harassment Abroad
• Resource Guide for Service US Citizens Victimized Abroad

Be sure to know the emergency plan from your program resident staff abroad in case of a larger crisis—political, terrorist, natural disaster, etc. This will be covered in materials provided by the host program or university prior to departure as well as during orientation after arrival to your host country.

General important steps are:

1. Get away safely from the crisis location.
2. Get to the designated safe program location if possible.
3. Follow instructions from the program resident staff.
4. Contact your family and the International Education director to confirm that you are safe.

Use common sense and always be aware of your surroundings. This is the single most important advice.

• Stay informed by local news and people.
• Don’t discuss politics and certainly don’t feel compelled to defend any U.S. policy in a bar.
• Avoid American hangouts. Venture into the local scene.
• Don’t travel in large groups to avoid looking like a tourist, but travel with at least one other person (especially after dark).
• Model your behavior based upon those around you. If you are unsure of a behavior, whether by yourself or by someone else, ask a local if it is acceptable.
• Follow local security instructions. If police or other government officials have instructed certain behavior, follow the rules, politely and quietly.
• Be sensitive to cultural differences, but also do not engage in any activity that makes you uneasy for the sake of cultural sensitivity. Do not be afraid of saying “no” firmly; it is better to be rude than to put yourself in a compromising situation.
• Keep the program staff and at least one friend informed of your extracurricular travel plans and make sure that at least one person knows where you are at most times. Keep your cell phone charged, turned on, and with you at all times.
• Guard your passport carefully. Without it, you could be stuck in a country for several days longer than you planned. Embassies are closed for holidays celebrated in their country and in the United States. Keep a photocopy of your main passport page and store it apart from the passport itself. The copy will not take the place of the real thing, but it can serve in its place if you have to replace a lost one.
• Use caution in crowded areas, such as in metro stations or popular gathering spots. Crowded areas are prime feeding grounds for pickpockets. Be aware that thieves often work in pairs, with one attempting to divert your attention while the other steals something from you.
• Don’t travel with large sums of cash and leave expensive jewelry at home in the U.S.
• In case of emergencies (whether medical, personal, or other), contact your resident program staff; they will be able to respond the quickest.
• Avoid risky behavior (e.g., excessive alcohol consumption, walking alone at night, bringing home someone you have just met, illegal drug use). Stay away from political rallies or protests. Never purchase, transport, or use illegal drugs.

For more suggestions on how to protect your own health and safety, download and review the NAFSA Health and Safety Guidelines.