RMC Study-Travel Instructor Handbook

Safety

Students Abroad
For detailed information about steps you can take to ensure a safe trip, see The Department of State’s U.S. Students Abroad web site: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/students.html This site has information on travel documents, health, emergencies and embassies.

Here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

  • Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Let the Department of State know your travel plans through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free online service at https://step.state.gov/step/. This will help the U.S. government contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization. Your parents can also sign up, even if they are not traveling.
  • Sign your passport and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
  • Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, as well as your contact information, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
  • Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The Department of State web site (link below) has useful safety tips and other information about the countries you will visit.
  • You can access specific information concerning safety & security, as well as local laws and special circumstances under Country Information after you input your country of destination: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
  • Traveler’s Checklist: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-checklist.html
  • Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

Laws
Remember, while you are in another country you are subject to its laws. Do not assume that the rights you enjoy in the United States apply to you overseas—most don’t. This is especially true when it comes to freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and redress of grievances. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Conduct
While you are in a foreign country you represent Randolph-Macon College, the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of your state of residence), and the USA (and possibly your home country, if you’re an international student), whether you want to be viewed as a representative or not. While studying abroad you remain an RMC student and are still bound by the rules and regulations in the Office of Student Conduct’s materials, including the Code of Student Conduct and Code of Academic Integrity.

Transportation Safety

  • Traffic-related accidents are the most common cause of injury and death among students who study abroad.
  • Alcohol consumption is often a contributing factor.
  • Among such accidents, many occur while riding on motorcycles or walking across the street.
  • Pedestrians often do not have the right-of-way and the traffic may be coming from a direction opposite than expected; for example, each year Americans are killed in England because they step out into traffic, forgetting that vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road in the U.K.

Civil and Political Instability

  • Political demonstrations abroad can sometimes deteriorate into anti-American demonstrations. Any demonstration can shift very quickly from a peaceful, controlled event to violent chaos.
  • Do not get involved in any social or political unrest or illegal movements while studying abroad, no matter how sympathetic you are with the cause or the people involved.
  • If a brewing or ongoing situation becomes increasingly dangerous, students must follow the instructions of their study-travel course instructor(s) or host university or program provider personnel.
  • Please note: the U.S. Embassy or Consulate cannot get you out of jail or resolve a legal dispute for you. They can only help find legal representation that speaks English.
  • Familiarize yourself with current events in your host country before departure.

Crime and Terrorism
The most common types of crime students experience abroad is theft of personal belongings (often by pickpockets or in bars) and fraud. Keep track of your passport, credit cards, wallet, and purse. Though more violent crimes are uncommon, American students studying overseas have in the past been victims of murder, assault, kidnapping, terrorism, rape, and other serious crimes. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Terrorist acts occur unpredictably, making it impossible to protect yourself absolutely. The first and best protection is to avoid travel to areas where there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnappings. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense to avoid becoming a target of opportunity. For more information, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html.

Sexual Misconduct While Abroad
If you wish to notify someone at RMC of an emergency while you are abroad, you can call Campus Safety at (804) 752-4710 who will then reach out to the 24/7 emergency contact in the Office of International Education.

As a reminder, all faculty and staff with limited exceptions (i.e., Counseling Services, Chaplain, and Student Health Center) are required by Title IX law and College policy to report any knowledge or suspicion of prohibited conduct involving students, as outlined in the Sexual and Relationship Conduct Policy, to the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Laura Soulsby.

The Office of International Education (OIE) staff are resources to you while abroad for any reason, including personal safety concerns. Please know that OIE staff are not confidential resources and must report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.

To report any incident(s) directly to the Title IX Coordinator, you may complete the Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Reporting Form. The Title IX Office aims to respond to any incident pursuant to Title IX and applicable law and College policies. While incidents that occur abroad may present challenges to the College’s ability to respond, the Title IX Coordinator is a resource for any student seeking support. For more information, please visit the Title IX Office online and/or email TitleIX@rmc.edu.

RMC’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Laura Soulsby, may also be reached at laurasoulsby@rmc.edu.

Students May Instead Access Confidential Resources:
If any students experience any incident(s) of sexual misconduct while abroad, you may still remotely access Randolph-Macon College’s confidential resources (i.e., Counseling Services and UWill telehealth, Student Health Center, and Office of the Chaplain). To contact UWill telehealth’s 24/7 crisis line, dial 833-646-1526 if you are located in the US, Canada, or the Caribbean. If you are located outside these regions, you may dial +1-984-268-2016.

Additional resources:

Safety Tips and Precautions for Everyone

  • Read the Department of State information (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html) about your host country before you depart
  • Ask your study-travel course instructor or orientation leader(s) for specific safety-related information about your destinations.
  • Know the number to use in case of an emergency in your host country, and to whom you should report a crime.
  • Be streetwise; know where you are going—or at least appear to know. When walking, appear confident. Always look as if you know where you’re going.
  • Make sure someone else knows where you plan to go in your free time (including the study-travel course instructors and chaperones).
  • Be aware of what is happening around you and watch out for potential problems. Always follow your instincts. If a situation seems unsafe, get out of there as quickly as possible.
  • Do not walk alone at night. Instead, walk with classmates, take a taxi, or use public transportation. Avoid shortcuts through poorly lit areas and parks.
  • Avoid impairing your judgment by consuming alcohol or drugs.
  • If you suspect that someone is following you and you want to make sure, try crossing the street several times. Go into a public place or find a police officer.
  • Carry your keys in a separate place from your address, preferably in your pocket (in case your purse is lost).
  • Carry a whistle, alarm, or pepper spray. NOTE: Pepper spray is illegal is many European countries, so make sure you check the local laws about carrying and using pepper spray in the country(ies) you are visiting.
  • Never hitchhike or accept a ride from a stranger.
  • Have an action plan in mind for various types of emergency situations.