The safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff who participate in ISU programs abroad is of the highest importance. ISU employs a variety of resources to evaluate the safety of travel to a particular destination:

  • U.S. Department of State travel advisories
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • In-country program partners
  • Consultation with US embassy and consulate security officers
  • Private security and intelligence providers
  • Peer institution international risk

We also provide travelers the resources and tools to help make their international travel experience a success, including:

  • Access to emergency security, medical and claims assistance through our international insurance carrier.
  • Registration with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
  • A subscription for security alerts.

ISU’s policies and procedures also are designed to protect the safety and well-being of study abroad participants. Undergraduate international travel and study abroad programs in high-risk destinations require special review and approval. Sponsorship and student financial aid may be withdrawn, and programs may be canceled under certain circumstances.

Students and program directors should contact Iowa State's international insurance provider (On Call International) for all emergency situations.

Students attending a program through a provider (such as AIFS, Arcadia, CEA, CIEE, DIS, ISA, TEAN, School for Field Studies, or Semester at Sea) should contact their program staff in case of an emergency.

On Call International - travel insurance resources

Definition of Emergency:

  • Political/civil unrest
  • Natural or human disaster (earthquake, flood, hurricane, fire, nuclear incident)
  • Death
  • Serious illness or injury
  • Assault (physical/sexual)
  • Missing participant
  • Arrest

Your Personal Health

Students MUST take responsibility for their own health, well-being and disability accommodation requests. If you have a medical condition, our insurance provider can help you find health resources at your destination. We also encourage you to share information with your program coordinator/director.

If you are on a faculty/staff-led ISU group program, it is particularly important for you to reveal all medical conditions to your program director.

ISU Student Disability Resources Office

Do you currently work with this office on campus? Do you have special accommodations? Make sure these details are known by your program coordinator/director and have your documentation ready so that it can be sent to your program. We are unable to guarantee that your Iowa State accommodations will be honored abroad, but we will do all we can to advocate for you.

Health Resources

Vaccinations

Always review your routine (childhood) vaccination record.

If you are going to Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Antarctica - No special vaccinations are typically needed.

If you have an existing medical condition, see your regular doctor to plan for your time abroad.

If you are going to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central or South America, Africa, Asia - You may need to consult with ISU Thielen Student Health Center.

Call at least 8 weeks ahead of departure.

These services are available:

  • Travel clinic
  • Vaccinations
  • First aid kits

Prescriptions

If possible, take enough medication to last the entire program duration. Take an original written prescription, preferably written for a generic version of your medication. Prescription medications MUST remain in the original containers with your name on it. If you wear glasses or contacts, take along a spare pair and take your lens prescription with you. If you take a controlled substance, take more than two medications, or take a medication by injection, take a letter from your physician that describes your medical condition and the need to carry these items with you. Check with your program advisor to make sure that your medication is legal to carry into the country.

Insurance

Carry your insurance information with you at all times. Students on ISU programs will have On Call International insurance automatically. Students attending AIFS, CEA, ISA, or TEAN programs will be covered by comparable insurance through their program.

Traveling

You MUST take all prescriptions in your carry-on bag. Bring basic health/medical supplies in your checked bags (condoms, feminine supplies, etc.) Consider using compression socks for your flight. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Be prepared for jet lag.

While Abroad

Continue to take any medications that you are currently on. Be aware of the consequences of combining alcohol and your medication. Research drinking water and the regulations for food preparation in your country. Watch for symptoms of culture shock. Avoid making big decisions until you have a chance to settle in. Get assistance if you are feeling depressed or withdrawn.

Students should do the following:

  • Blend in
  • Use the buddy system
  • Use a neck pouch or money belt
  • Carry your insurance card
  • Know the local equivalent of 911 for your location
  • Store an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number on your cell phone so that emergency/medical personnel can contact your family
  • Register with the U.S. State Department through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
  • List current emergency contact information in ISUAbroad

Special Safety Note:

A major cause of student injury or death in overseas programs is traffic accidents. According to the U.S. State Department, road travel is the greatest risk to healthy Americans abroad. This does not refer to driving but as a pedestrian. Learn as much as you can about road signs, customs, and driving behaviors in all locations you plan to travel to. Most importantly, be very aware of all traffic around you at all times (including mopeds!).

Protection of Person Data in the European Union:

A notice regarding the protection of person data for students studying abroad in the European Union and subject to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be found in full at the link below.

GDPR notice

Iowa State University considers sexual harassment and sexual assault to be an issue of safety. Your safety is vital to having a positive, successful study abroad experience. Therefore, we share the following to inform and invite you to critically consider how you can reduce your risk of harassment or assault.

Be aware of stereotypes host nationals may have about Americans

Stereotypes are very much a part of daily life. People make assumptions about others based on cues, rather than based on their experiences with that individual. People in other countries have often heard stereotypes of American college students, and/or seen stereotypical behavior portrayed in film. It is important to both think about how you may stereotype others, but also, how you may be stereotyped too. Common stereotypes of Americans may include speaking loudly, traveling in large groups, and being sexual active. This last stereotype could lead to experiencing harassment while abroad. Just as students need to be aware of sexual assault in the United States, it is also important to remain vigilant while studying abroad. Here are a few situations to be mindful of and to watch out for while abroad:

  • Catcalls – being called after using words or a whistle typically while passing by another person
    • Recommendation: Avoid making eye contact or engaging with this person at all. Any engagement may be taken as a sign of interest, whether or not that is your intention.
  • Physical groping – being inappropriately touched. Occurs most often in crowded areas such as on public transportation, at concerts, or in a bar.
    • Recommendation: Stick with a friend and try to avoid being isolated. Ask them to stop and then report to authority. If the person does not stop, leave the space with a friend as soon as safely possible.
  • Being offered a ride by a friend of a friend or a relative of your host family
    • Recommendation: Decline the offer. Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have no control and are alone with a stranger. There have been students who were in this situation and accepted the ride and were later sexually assaulted.
  • Returning to your room with someone you just met or going to the room of someone you just met
    • Recommendation: In some countries, going home with someone is seen as a form of consent. We know in the US consent must be verbal, but other countries do not have the same understanding of consent. Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have no control and are alone with a stranger. There have been students who were in this situation and were later sexually assaulted.
  • Being offered a free drink for a stranger or bartender or having an unattended drink
    • Recommendation: Do not accept a drink from a stranger as there is the possibility of the drink having a date rape drug. Also, when you order a drink, watch the bartender to make sure the drink is not tampered with. The same goes for an unattended drink. If you leave your drink unattended for any period of time, do not continue to drink it as someone could have tampered with it. If you suspect you have ingested a date rape drug, it is best to leave with a trusted friend and seek medical attention.

As you can see from most of these scenarios, it is good to have a trusted friend around. You can help each other make good decisions, and also make sure each other gets home safely at the end of a night out. Most importantly, remember that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault!

Talk to us

We cannot stress enough how important it is to report these behaviors to a program director or study abroad officials so that we can take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of something happening to other participants. Feelings of guilt after more serious events are common, but please let us know so we can help you get the support you need and deserve. Know before you go (and ask again when you arrive): Gender roles and stereotypes? Harassment issues? Places that are unsafe? Prevalence of date rape drugs? STDs, HIV, contraception: things I should know about my site?
 

Resources for dealing with sexual harassment are found on the ISU website at http://www.dso.iastate.edu/sexualmisconduct/

All students should be prepared to focus on their wellness while they study abroad. Study abroad comes with a variety of emotions, and while many like to focus on the positive and all the new people, places, experiences, it is important to be prepared for times when you may feel lonely, sad, anxious, or depressed. This is relevant for students who have ongoing mental health concerns as well as those who may experience new mental health concerns for the first time while they are abroad. Keep in mind, when you study abroad, your usual support network may be less available due to distance, time zones, and laws for mental health professionals. 

These resources are meant to provide you with mental wellness support while you are abroad, but also in the weeks and months leading up to your international experience.

TAO Self-Help

TAO is an online platform of tools and educational modules to help you learn about and change how you think and feel. TAO has over 150 brief educational sessions covering over 50 common topics and skills related to mental health, wellness, and substance use issues. 

TAO Website

OnCall International Insurance

All Iowa State study abroad students are enrolled in international travel insurance.  This insurance provides coverage for care needed for physical or mental health needs that occur while studying abroad.  In addition to coverage, OnCall International can help you locate appropriate medical providers and assist in setting up appointments.  TeleHealth options are also available which sometimes is a more effective way of getting expedient care.  Note that there are some limitations for pre-existing conditions, however, OnCall International can still help setting up appointments. (Students attending AIFS, CEA, ISA, or TEAN programs will be covered by comparable insurance through their program.)  

On Call International Insurance Information

Your Health Care Coverage

While OnCall is a valuable resource for finding providers while studying abroad, coverage for pre-existing conditions and current prescriptions is limited.  Therefore, you will need to utilize existing health care coverage that you have while studying in Ames.  It would be good for you to familiarize yourself with your coverage and how to access it while abroad.

Medications Abroad

Medications help many people maintain healthy mental and physical wellness.  However, not all medications that are available in the US are available internationally.  A first option is to take enough of your prescription with you, if possible.  If this is not possible, OnCall International can help you develop a plan to refill your prescription overseas.  However, if a medication is restricted in the country you are travelling to you may need to switch medications.  Please consult OnCall International regarding the ability to possess or refill prescriptions. Of note are many medications for ADHD, which are not available or legal to possess in some countries; OnCall is a great resource to develop a proactive plan.

On-Site Study Abroad Personnel

The study abroad personnel that are at your location are a great source of information to help you access care that you may need.  If you are on an ISU travel course, you can ask your study abroad program leader.  If you are on a semester program, contact the study abroad staff at the host location for assistance. 

Telecounseling Services

If you are in a crisis situation, another resource is the Telecounseling Services resources available to ISU students through Uwill Student Mental Health and Wellness Services. Students experiencing crisis can be connected immediately with a counselor via teletherapy.

Local Equivalent to 911

While 911 is common in the US, other countries have a different emergency number.  Be proactive, and learn the emergency number in the locations you will be traveling to so you can reach assistance for any emergency.