Framework for addressing safety concerns:
Sensible measures in a post 9/11 world
The safety and security of our students has been a priority since the inception
of the Study-Service Program in 1968. Yet the reality of the post 9/11 world
has brought the need for extra precautionary measures in order to pragmatically
address international travel issues and safety concerns.
In short, we will do everything that we can to make sure that each student
is safe on SST, which is basic to their having a significant and enriching experience.
Student orientation toward a safer, more meaningful study abroad experience
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Students receive a thorough orientation prior to departure
- with general information about traveling and living abroad as well
as country-specific issues such as culturally appropriate behavior and
the current political context. |
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Health and safety issues are always discussed with the
group while they are in on-campus training prior to departure, and when
they arrive on location. |
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Student travel leaders are appointed, and given specific
instructions about the journey to and from the SST location as well as
contact information all along the route. |
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Upon arrival at their host country, all students are given
a business card that lists the address, faculty leaders' cell phone and
the phone number of the unit house - which they are to have with them
at all times. |
Good communication is key
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Students are registered with the U.S. embassy of their
respective host country. |
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Faculty leaders are in regular contact with the director
of international education on campus. |
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The international education office and faculty leaders
are in regular contact with official government agencies, including embassies
and consulates leading up to and during an SST unit trip. |
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Living with host families offers an 'inside' glimpse into
life in another culture and is a special aspect of our SST program. Faculty
leaders have regular contact with host families and service agencies
with which students serve. Host family contact information is also given
to the international education office. |
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Faculty leaders carry cell phones at all times. There is
always someone at the college designated to take their call 24-7. |
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If a problem arises, the faculty leader of the unit contacts
the director of international education immediately. Our office works
with professionals on campus and in the community to respond quickly. |
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Faculty leaders are in regular contact via e-mail, and
post unit activities on the college's SST
Web site. |
International partnerships and managing risk
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Goshen College is committed to sending students to
places in the world that are significantly different than the North
American cultures most of them come from. |
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The college is very aware that there are risks involved
in any study abroad program, and that these risks may be somewhat
increased because of the locations of our host countries. |
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There are many ways we work to minimize risks: |
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We have national partners wherever we go and
work closely with them to be certain that we are being prudent
in each area of our programs. |
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Through these partnerships we assure access to hospitals
and a safe blood supply, access to good water, cautions against
diseases such as malaria, safe and reliable transportation
to the country and on location, and much more. |
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We are affiliated with programs like SAFETI
(Safety Abroad First-Educational Travel Information) Clearinghouse
Project, based at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles,
Calif.
The goal of SAFETI is to enhance collaboration between higher
education institutions, government and nongovernmental organizations,
with a specific emphasis on health and safety issues. |
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The director of international education scans the Internet
daily to monitor world situations that may affect our students,
and report those to leaders and parents. |
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