               
|
 |
| Home : Parent
Communications : Past Articles of Interest |
Parents and safety concerns about study
abroad
From the Winter 2002 Parent Newsletter
Interest in study abroad does not seem to have abated despite the
events of September 11. In fact, hunger for information about the
world outside the United States seems to have increased on college
campuses across the country. Study abroad is widely understood as
more important than ever, and safety is a valid concern.
In general, parents are more concerned than students are about safety,
and parents frequently play a critical role in their student's decision
about study abroad.
University staff continue to take every reasonable measure to assure
that students abroad are safe, while at the same time providing for
an enriching educational experience. Here are some safety facts about
study abroad.
• The University of Minnesota study abroad
office, Learning Abroad Center, does not send any student to a country
that is on the U.S. State Department travel warning list.
•
No University of Minnesota student studying abroad has ever been injured
or lost their life due to terrorist activities. It remains a fact
that, even including the events of September 11, air travel is still
safer than commuting to campus and car travel in general!
•
The University provides students with predeparture training on common
sense dos-and-don'ts for their time abroad.
• The University
is in regular contact with program staff on-site who see our students
while abroad.
• Finally, the University has chosen an insurance
policy that is mandatory for all students who study on programs through
the Learning Abroad Center office. The policy is also strongly recommended
for students who go on any other program.
The need to purchase insurance during study abroad was recognized
long before widespread concern about terrorism arose. Travel insurance
addresses the limitations of most regular insurance policies, which
offer coverage within a provider area and rarely outside the United
States. All quality study abroad programs maintain policies to effectively
extend insurance coverage to the host site and provide medical evacuation
coverage should the need arise.
The University's chosen policy is one of the best offered anywhere.
The overwhelming majority of parents are happy to know such a policy
is in place.
What parents
can do
• Encourage your student to go abroad. More than 140,000 U.S.
students study abroad each year. Many continue to describe study abroad
as their most significant educational experience. It is a powerful
and formative part of the college years, and it can be done safely.
• Purchase insurance if your student's study abroad program
doesn't provide coverage.
• Seek more information at the
Learning Abroad Center Web
site. |
|
|
