To: Study Abroad Applicants, Participants and Parents
Subject: Participation in Study Abroad - Security, Health, and Other Concerns
The safety and academic welfare of our students is our priority whether they are in St. Louis or abroad. While we cannot guarantee the safety and security of participants in study abroad, we continue to act in a responsible manner to promote their wellbeing. We monitor international events, are in regular contact with coordinators and staff in the host countries, and evaluate and respond to each situation or incident on a case-by-case basis. We are able and willing to close or cancel a program, but our experience has been that this is seldom necessary.
We follow U.S. Department of State guidance in identifying and responding to situations or incidents that may adversely affect our students. The presence of State Department travel advisories does not automatically preclude study abroad in that country or region, but advisories do prompt us to ensure that participants are informed about the potential risks associated with their choices. Likewise, the absence of a travel advisory does not imply that travel to the area is without risk.
Travel warnings, which refer to specific areas and threats, are taken very seriously. We advise our students not to enter an area covered by a travel warning until it has been downgraded. If a student is in an area that is placed under a travel warning, we advise them on a case-by-case basis. We also advise our students to follow the guidance issued by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention regarding health concerns.
Study abroad participants are expected to use good judgment in what they do and where they go since they cannot be (and wouldn't like to be) constantly supervised. In program pre-departure meetings and in the Overseas Programs Handbook for Study Abroad, they are encouraged to maintain a low profile and avoid activities and circumstances that are or could become dangerous. They are instructed to contact us, their parents, and/or on-site personnel whenever something happens that may cause concern at home, even if they are not involved. Site directors or other program representatives are asked to inform us promptly as well. We consult with parents whenever we and/or they are concerned about the welfare of a student abroad.
The decision to participate in one of the study abroad programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, including alternative programs approved by petition, rests largely with each student in consultation with his or her parents. Concerns based on security, health, or personal circumstances could make students and parents hesitant about participation in study abroad. We understand the difficulty of this decision and all of the factors that contribute to it, but we cannot significantly alter the timeline for enrollment. Offers of admission to study abroad programs must be accepted or declined in a timely manner. If a student accepts an offer of admission, withdrawal is still possible if circumstances change. The Overseas Programs Handbook for Study Abroad outlines policies, procedures, and deadlines for deciding not to participate and they are summarized in the Frequently Asked Questions section of our web site. The financial and other consequences, if any, vary by program and date of withdrawal and are managed on a case by case basis. Prompt notification to the program advisor in Overseas Programs is essential.
If the student has been accepted to a program but is uncertain about participating, it is possible to register for on-campus WU courses for the forthcoming semester. In fairness to other students, however, it is important to drop these courses as soon as the student is confident he or she will participate in study abroad as planned. Similarly, the student may consult with WU housing authorities about holding a housing reservation until his or her intentions are clear.
Despite our efforts, a student's travel abroad will never be without risk. The academic and cultural benefits of study abroad must be carefully weighed against risks including terrorism, random violence, disease, and natural disaster, which are inherently present in all countries, including our own. We urge parents to consider these benefits and risks with their student as he or she decides whether or not to study abroad. If the decision is to take advantage of this opportunity, we hope the student will have a successful and enriching personal and academic experience abroad.