Health & Safety Abroad
Safety concerns while students are abroad
If a health or safety issues arises while you are abroad please notify both your host institution and Kettering University immediately.
You can reach a Campus Safety Officer at any time by calling 001-1-810-762-9501. You can also contact the Office of International Programs during office hours, Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm on (810) 762 9869 or via email to international@kettering.edu.
You can reach a Campus Safety Officer at any time by calling 001-1-810-762-9501. You can also contact the Office of International Programs during office hours, Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm on (810) 762 9869 or via email to international@kettering.edu.
Health & Safety
Parents and guardians may be a little apprehensive about their child studying abroad. While the rewards of such an experience are extremely valuable, it is normal feel a nervous about their departure. Be assured that your student has a very high chance of an incident-free and safe experience, regardless of where they travel. Like anything, however, there are risks involved when traveling. Even if your child feels completely comfortable with the inherent risks, they must still think about personal safety. It is imperative that your student understands that using a good dose of common sense and good judgement is the best advice for staying safe. Make sure to discuss your health and safety concerns with your student and go through any resources you both may have to make you both better prepared for this experience.
Kettering University and the Office of International Programs make safety of our students, both home and abroad, a top priority. In order to mitigate these risks, the Office of International Programs takes certain measures to ensure that all students remain safe during their time abroad. These include; monitoring of the US State Department's website for travel warnings and alerts, providing health and safety information during our orientation sessions, making sure students have adequate insurance for both medical coverage and repatriation, and highly effective communications with all overseas host institutions.
The Institute of International Education recommend the following advice for parents of students traveling abroad:
Kettering University and the Office of International Programs make safety of our students, both home and abroad, a top priority. In order to mitigate these risks, the Office of International Programs takes certain measures to ensure that all students remain safe during their time abroad. These include; monitoring of the US State Department's website for travel warnings and alerts, providing health and safety information during our orientation sessions, making sure students have adequate insurance for both medical coverage and repatriation, and highly effective communications with all overseas host institutions.
The Institute of International Education recommend the following advice for parents of students traveling abroad:
- Research the risks. Crime and disease statistics are almost always given for the overall population, so the best resources for this are the U.S. Dept. of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Travel guides and books focused on living abroad are a great resource that also provide health and safety information.
SAFETY TIPS WHILE ABROAD
Dangers exist at study abroad locations, just as they do on or near U.S. college campuses. Problems can occur if and when students fail to take the same precautions abroad as they would at home. The best way to maximize your safety while studying abroad is to be aware of conditions that affect safety in your host country and any countries you plan to travel to. Then, adjust your behavior so that you take normal safety measures.
Advise your student to:
- Register with the U.S. Embassy in your host country through the Smart Traveler Enrollment system. If you are a non-U.S. national, please check your home country’s Department of State for a similar service. Please note this is a mandatory requirement.
- Carry a photocopy of the identification page of your passport
- Be alert at all times but especially upon arrival at your destination.
- Stay away from demonstrations or any kind of civil disturbances. Even innocent bystanders can be hurt or arrested.
- Get to know the local laws
- Familiarize yourself with your surroundings
- Be culturally aware, take note of social and cultural norms
- Avoid carrying valuables that may draw unwanted attention and make you a target
- In general, avoid being engulfed in a crowd. This is the preferred environment of pickpockets
- Make sure you have a back-up plan should you encounter any issues: have contingencies ready for all situations from lost luggage or a stolen wallet to preparing for an emergency evacuation. The better prepared you are, the less stressed you will be
- Keep family and friends aware of your location and well being. Communication plans are essential!
- Be sensible with your finances
- Stay under the radar and maintain a low profile, do not be obnoxious nor encourage attention
- Avoid going out alone at night. Even when you're with friends, stick to well-lit streets where there are a lot of people.
- Do not get drunk or use drugs - laws are applicable to tourists, too!
- Do not accept food or drink from strangers, especially if you are at a bar or restaurant.
- Pay attention to updates and information listed on the U.S. Department of State's website.
Keep important contact information with you:
- Home and work phone numbers for immediate family
- Host institution’s International Office contact and phone number
- U.S. Embassy and/or local Consulate in any country you plan to visit
- Local emergency services phone numbers
- Insurance card and ISIC Card contact numbers
Insurance
All students participating in a study abroad program are required to have insurance. It is a mandatory requirement that all study abroad participants purchase German insurance as well as an ISIC Card. Each institution will provide your student with medical insurance during their orientation week and the prices of this will vary depending on the institution they attend. German insurance will cover medical bills, however the ISIC card provides supplemental health insurance coverage that covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas, it also includes non-medical emergency evacuation due to catastrophe as well as security and political evacuations. and repatriation of remains. For information pertaining to full details of coverage, please see here. The ISIC Card is one of the most valuable travel documents for your student to have. It verifies your student status and is widely recognized throughout the world, it also has plenty of medical benefits as well as providing discounts on certain products.
Emergencies
In the case of a local emergency, students are encouraged to contact the proper local authorities as well as any Kettering University faculty, staff or host institution representative. Kettering University makes great effort in preparing its students for any emergency scenarios they may face, this makes them much more empowered to make the right decision when put under stressful situations.
Immunizations & Prescription Medication
Depending on where you student is studying or traveling to, they may be required to obtain certain immunizations before their departure. We recommend that you visit the CDC's travelers health information page on their website to double check the requirements.
If your student is taking routine prescription drugs it is possible that certain medications are not readily available in their country of destination. Your student should bring enough medication to last them their entire time abroad. Any medication you take overseas must remain in its original container and labelled correctly, this will help ensure that the medication will not be confiscated during security checks.
Please see our main page for information on medical health and safety.
All students participating in a study abroad program are required to have insurance. It is a mandatory requirement that all study abroad participants purchase German insurance as well as an ISIC Card. Each institution will provide your student with medical insurance during their orientation week and the prices of this will vary depending on the institution they attend. German insurance will cover medical bills, however the ISIC card provides supplemental health insurance coverage that covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas, it also includes non-medical emergency evacuation due to catastrophe as well as security and political evacuations. and repatriation of remains. For information pertaining to full details of coverage, please see here. The ISIC Card is one of the most valuable travel documents for your student to have. It verifies your student status and is widely recognized throughout the world, it also has plenty of medical benefits as well as providing discounts on certain products.
Emergencies
In the case of a local emergency, students are encouraged to contact the proper local authorities as well as any Kettering University faculty, staff or host institution representative. Kettering University makes great effort in preparing its students for any emergency scenarios they may face, this makes them much more empowered to make the right decision when put under stressful situations.
Immunizations & Prescription Medication
Depending on where you student is studying or traveling to, they may be required to obtain certain immunizations before their departure. We recommend that you visit the CDC's travelers health information page on their website to double check the requirements.
If your student is taking routine prescription drugs it is possible that certain medications are not readily available in their country of destination. Your student should bring enough medication to last them their entire time abroad. Any medication you take overseas must remain in its original container and labelled correctly, this will help ensure that the medication will not be confiscated during security checks.
Please see our main page for information on medical health and safety.