Travel Alert: What Should Students Abroad Do?
A new travel alert for Europe raises concerns for students studying abroad.
Oct. 3, 2010 — -- A new travel alert issued today by the State Department amid concerns over potential terror attacks overseas is advising American citizens throughout Europe, including U.S. students studying abroad, to take precautions.
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that more than 80,000 Americans study abroad each year. In fact, for dangerous times such as these, the U.S. study abroad office advises parents on what to do to keep their child calm if and when an alert has been issued in their host country.
Travel alerts, which are issued by the State Department, advise citizens of short-term conditions within a particular country that may pose a risk to their safety, especially with regards to terrorist attacks.
Travel warnings, which are more severe, are issued when the government strongly recommends that American citizens avoid traveling abroad because of long-term conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable.
Most universities and colleges receive routine emergency postings from the State Department, and in turn provide links on their websites so that the information is disseminated to their students.
Suggestions for Students and Parents
The Office of Overseas Services lists the following suggestions to help students and parents remain prepared and calm in the event of an emergency while studying abroad:
Know How the Privacy Act Affects You and Your Child. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts may not be released without your express authorization. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States. (U.S. embassy and consulate locations can be found under the Country Specific Information section.)
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