1 “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”-Susan Sontag

2 Education Abroad Orientation 2Health and Safety Abroad

3 Today’s Orientation Health and Safety Prep Physical HealthProtecting Yourself Protecting Your Property Title IX Mental Health CASAS Video: Culture of Safety

4 Preparation: Where are you going?Being informed about your destination is a safety mechanism Check the State Department country profile: Is there a State Department Travel Warning or Alert? Petition for an exception through WWU EdAbroad Visit State Department study abroad page: Who is in power? What are the customs? Register your trip with State Department: https://step.state.gov

5 Preparation: Informing YourselfThink about your identity and how people similar to you are treated in your host country Women Diverse ethnic/racial background LGBTQ+ Students with disabilities Resources https://studyabroad.wwu.edu

6 Vaccinations and PrescriptionsPreparation: Vaccinations and Prescriptions Health Release Vaccinations: Bringing medication: Is it legal to bring into host country? If so, can you get it there? If not, can you bring enough with you? Keep in original bottle/packaging Continue to take medication prescribed by your doctor for physical and mental health; study abroad is not the time to experiment with getting off medication without the supervision of your health provider.

7 Preparation: Documents to Bring and Keeping Them SafeProtect your passport and visa Money belt Fill in all sections of passport Carry a photo copy of both passport and visa and keep another physical and electronic set Write down non-800 numbers for debit/ATM cards and credit cards Leave itinerary and contact numbers with family Parents / guardians should have valid passport

8 Visiting a Doctor AbroadStart with your resident director / host university advisor International health insurance through study abroad provider or WWU EdAbroad (CISI) Campus health centers or local clinics Interpreter?

9 Protecting Personal InformationVirtual kidnapping and identity theft Do not share too much personal information with strangers Tell your parents about this, so they know to verify your location if something like this happens

10 Protecting Your PropertyPetty theft abroad: carry only what you’re willing to lose Be aware of your surroundings Keep wallet in front pocket / wear purse over torso and keep in front of body / purses should fasten close Money belt for credit cards, passport, larges sums of cash or keep in safe place in housing Keep jacket and loose pockets empty When seated, put property on lap or between feet; never over back of chair

11 Protecting Yourself Be aware of surroundings; know appropriate dressCarry cell phone Go out with friends / groups / buddy system Watch drink being poured; don’t leave unattended; don’t accept from others Avoid walking alone at night, especially in quiet streets/alleys

12 Protecting Yourself ContinuedCareful with politics / religion Avoid demonstrations / protests Could be illegal Avoid driving and be careful crossing streets Vehicle fatalities highest cause of death to foreigners traveling abroad Use safe modes of transportation Traveling abroad Always tell Resident Director or host country advisor Do you need a different visa to visit neighboring country? Learn host country’s version of 911

13 Title IX Rights Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in all educational programs. Western’s “Policy on Preventing and Responding to Sex Discrimination, Including Sexual Misconduct” applies to international programs. Title IX and Western’s Policy protect everyone from sexual violence, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, and race or ethnicity.

14 Title IX Rights You have the right to be free from sexual harassment and sexual violence on international programs, and support from Western if you report sexual harassment or violence. Your right to support from Western exists regardless of where the conduct happens, and regardless of whether the perpetrator is another student. Support might include a change in living or class arrangements, connection to physical and/or mental health resources, or returning home early.

15 Title IX Rights If you experience sexual harassment or sexual violence during an international program, report it to: Your in-country program director, who must tell Western, and/or Western’s Title IX Coordinator, Sue Guenter-Schlesinger: (360) / Title IX and Western Policy prohibit retaliating against someone for reporting sexual harassment or sexual violence. Confidential support resources include: CASAS – On campus confidential support and counseling RAINN – website links to international resources

16 Sexual Violence and PreventionSexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. This includes sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. Video: Tea and Consent 1 in 5 women will experience an attempted or completed rape during their time at college 1/10 rape survivors are men 29% of all rape survivors are women ages 18-24 80% of rapes are committed by someone that the survivor knows Alcohol use may increase students’ vulnerability to sexual violence 24.6% of WWU students report that, in the past, someone pressured or forced them into sexual contact without their explicit consent.

17 CASAS is a safe, confidential resource for students who have been affected by violence. (360) • OM 585B CASAS believes that violence can happen to anyone and it’s never the survivor’s fault.  Regardless of your identity, all students are welcome.

18 Mental Health Abroad Disclose mental health concerns to the site director Consult your healthcare provider before travel to ensure that you’re stable enough for travel without your usual support system Maintain a regular sleep schedule Consult a doctor if you can’t sleep Avoid alcohol to induce sleep Take medications as prescribed during travel, and know how your medications interact with alcohol Watch for tiredness, sleep changes, mood swings, withdrawal, change in appetite, feelings of hopelessness. Talk to the program director immediately!

19 Developing a Coping PlanHave you considered making a plan for coping with these symptoms? Who would you talk to about making a plan? Specific items for the plan include: Contact with a known treatment provider Ways to cope with triggers Sleep, eating, roommates, academics Communication with international staff about symptoms Access to treatment abroad and crisis support services (see the list on the next slide)

20 Mental Health ResourcesWestern’s Counseling Center: Old Main 540, during business hours To reach the after-hours on-call counselor, call and choose option 1 Western’s Student Health Center in Campus Services Facility: National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Community Crisis Line (Volunteers of America 24 hour crisis line): Crisis Text Line: The Trevor Project (national 24-hour free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth),

21 Questions