Health and Safety: Risk Management

Many factors are involved in developing low-risk study abroad programs. These include: site selection, pre-departure orientations, program management, current events, and participant behavior. To maximize student safety, at times it may be necessary to cancel programs or move them to a different site. A student may be requested to leave a program site if the risk factors have changed enough that it is determined that the location is unsafe. Program participants are expected to behave according to the norms of the host country and culture, follow the behavior guidelines provided by the host country institution and/or program leader during orientations and during the program, act in a discreet manner, and not draw attention to themselves or their group.

Prior to travel, program participants should inform themselves of annoyances and risks in a specific country by consulting up-to-date travel guides, the U.S. State Department travel warnings and the Centers for Disease Control, and take the recommended precautions.

CUNY Travel Guidelines

All travelers on CUNY-associated business are also required to comply with CUNY Guidelines for International (or Domestic) Travel.

Travel and Health Insurance

Participants are expected to provide health information to IPSA as part of the post-acceptance process so that the program administrators may collaborate with the participant to maximize the study abroad experience.

CISI travel insurance is required for all students who plan to study, research, or participate in competitions, conferences, and any other CUNY-related activity abroad either for credit or noncredit, whether the student is travelling on his/her own or with a group. Participants should obtain CISI medical and travel insurance for the entire duration of their trip. CUNY CISI insurance is required even though the host institution/country may require its own insurance.

Liability Waivers

Participants will be required to complete a Travel Liability Waiver (either standard or for independent travelers) that recognizes the responsibilities of the participants. Liability waivers must be notarized if the participant is under 18 years of age.

Travelling to a Country With a U.S. State Department Travel Warning

Travel to a country with a U.S. State Department travel warning requires completion of additional documentation and approval from CUNY. In the additional documentation, participants provide a detailed explanation of the risks and complete an additional liability waiver. This documentation is in addition to that indicated in the section above on Liability Waivers. Review carefully the following two documents and provide the requested information.

Title IX—Sexual Harassment Abroad

Emergencies Abroad: Contact Information

In the event of an international political, social, natural disaster, or serious medical or health issue, program participants who are abroad should first contact their onsite program director. Next, CISI insurance holders (participants; faculty) who are abroad should call:

  • AXA Assistance
    • From United States: 855.327.1411
    • From abroad (collect): international dialing code + area code of United States + 312.935.1703
    • E-mail
  • Note: Your Team Assist ID# is 19 GLM N04965310.

In case of emergency, participants, parents, and guardians should also call IPSA at Brooklyn College. Due to privacy laws, IPSA may be able to provide only limited information.

  • Brooklyn College Campus Security (for international emergencies)
    718.951.5511, 5512, or 5513
    Security will contact the appropriate Brooklyn College person/office to initiate action.

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