Study Abroad Health and Safety Issues and Resources for Effective Support and Collaboration

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Study Abroad Health and SafetyIssues and
Resources for Effective Support and Collaboration
Gary Rhodes, Ph.D., Director Center for Global
Education Loyola Marymount University OSAC Study
Abroad Health and Safety Workshop, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA, March 6, 2009
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Our Mission

• The Center for Global Education promotes
  international education to foster cross-cultural
  awareness, cooperation and understanding. Living
  and working effectively in a global society
  requires learning with an international
  perspective.
• We promote this type of learning by collaborating
  with colleges, universities and other
  organizations around the world to
• create new and enhance existing study abroad
  programs
• integrate an international and intercultural
  perspective into the US
• educational system
• increase the ethnic diversity of participants in
  study abroad and provide special v
• resources to support their participation
• provide information to better prepare students
  and other travelers for their
• experience abroad
• encourage research in the field of
  international education and
• encourage similar support for international
  students coming to the U.S. (New).
• Since 1998 (USC), Moved to LMU in 2004, Funding
  Support from FIPSE and Other Partners

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Post September 11th US Governmental Statements
About Global Education
US Secretary of State I can think of no more
valuable asset to our country than the friendship
of future world leaders who were educated
hereInternational education prepares our
citizens to live, work, and compete in the global
economy, and promotes tolerance and the reduction
of conflict. US Secretary of Education Complex
Global Interactions, once reserved for the
diplomatic corps, are today the stuff of everyday
business deals and cultural exchanges. If we
expect students to navigate international waters,
we need to give them an international education
that meets the highest standards. US
President We must also reaffirm our commitment
to promote educational opportunities that enable
American students to study abroad, and to
encourage international students to take part in
our educational system. (statements from US
International Education Week)
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The Importance of Study Abroad
Former UN Secretary-General Because this is a
time of added caution and uncertainty now, more
than ever students need to learn how to
collaborate effectively at international,
multi-cultural, and multi-lingual levels.
US Congress 2006 The Year of Study
Abroad Lincoln Commission Simon Study Abroad
Act Funding to Have 1 Million Students Abroad
(2017)
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IIE Open Doors Study Abroad Data

• Growth 1993 2004
• 2006/07 241,791
• 2004/05 205,983
• 2000/01 154,618
• 1998/99 129,770
• 1996/97 99,448
• 1994/95 84,403
• 1993/94 76,302

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In The News Study Abroad Under Scrutiny
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The Changing Face of Study Abroad

• Awareness of the importance of study
  abroad/student mobility has increased
• Where students study is changing
• Length of study abroad has changed
• Processes (visas, etc.) are more complex
• Safety in the U.S. and around the world has
  changed
• Institutional infrastructures vary
• How many and the diversity of those studying is
  changing in some ways
• But, health and safety support varies

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In The News Students at the Protest
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Effective Health and Safety Support

• To Really Make an Impact
• It Takes Collaboration

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Critical Current Health Safety Issues

• Critical Issues
• Alcohol
• Terrorism
• Countries With Travel Warnings
• Health and Safety Challenges for Students
• The Study Abroad Context
• Increase in Study Abroad
• Expanded Locations
• Duty of Care
• Inconsistent Program Administration
• Inconsistent Training of Faculty and Staff
• Crisis Management Planning
• Responding Abroad Any Time, Anywhere
• This Presentation Overview Issues and Resources

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Student Mobility is Complex

• Broad Administrative Role
• Complex International Relationships
• Inconsistent Training
• Responsible for Administering Student Affairs AND
  Academic Affairs Roles Around the World

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What Will You Do?

• This Room
• A Fire Breaks Out in the Back of the Room
• There is a growing amount of smoke.
• Tell me what you would do... FAST!

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Where Will You Go?

• Where are the Emergency Exits?
• Did You Remember to Crawl?
• Who Did You Help?

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Think Back - SDR

• Biggest Challenge
• Not Panic Denial
• Not Action Inaction
• Effective Deliberation
• Sub-Conscious Memory
• Waiting for Group Leaders
• Need Intelligent Group Action

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Campus Context for Study Abroad Program
Administration

• In the Mission?
• Central Study Abroad Office?
• (0 100 staff)
• Decentralized Programs Across Campus?
• Campus-wide Study Abroad Committees?
• Faculty Independendent Programs?
• Inconsistency Across the U.S.
• Varying Campus-wide Collaboration

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Types of Program Sponsors

• Home University Owned and Operated
• Home University Partnerships
• Independent Student
• Individual Faculty/Staff Travel Study Program
• Hybrid Programs

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ITS ALL PART OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION

• Academic freedom advocate
• Academic program developer/adviser
• Admissions and enrollment officer
• Academic records officer
• Budgetary officer
• Bursar
• Computer center manager
• Contract developer
• Course development and evaluation administrator
• Crisis and emergency manager
• Cross-cultural issues consultant
• Drug and alcohol counselor
• Equipment manager
• Evaluation officer
• Facilities manager

• Financial aid officer
• Grades department administrator
• Housing rental agent
• Currency exchange expert
• Insurance counselor
• International communications expert
• International law expert
• Internship program sponsor
• Librarian
• Loan officer
• Orientation program administrator
• Paralegal
• Parental liaison
• Personal and professional counselor

• Personnel administrator
• Program developer and evaluator
• Public relations officer
• Recruiter
• Risk manager
• Student affairs administrator
• Student conduct judicial officer
• Students with disabilities manager
• Student health professional
• Testing administrator
• Textbook manager
• Translator
• Transportation supervisor
• Travel agent and tour operator
• Visa and immigration specialist
• Womens issues advocate
• Writer and editor

TAKEN FROM THE MARCH 1994 EDITION OF NAFSA
Newsletter (Rhodes, G. Millington, W.G.,
Avoiding Liability in Study Abroad Home Campus
and International Campus Concerns, NAFSA
Newsletter, March 1994, pp. pp. 3,44,46.)
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In The News Sexual Harassment Abroad
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A CHALLENGING US LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

• Age Discrimination
• Affirmative Action Policy
• Americans w/Disabilities Act
• Alcohol Liability
• Assumption of Risk
• Campus Assault Victims Bill of Rights
• Campus Security Regulations
• Choice of Forum
• Choice of Law
• Clery Act
• Comparative Negligence
• Conflict of Interest
• Constitutional Law
• Contract Law
• Defamation of Character/Libel
• Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act
• Due Process
• Duty of Fair Play
• Duty of Landowner to Maintain Safe Premises

• International Agreements
• International Law
• Liability
• Liability Insurance
• NAFSA Code of Ethics
• Negligence
• Non-Profit Status
• Off-Campus Programming
• Personal Injury
• Potential Danger and /Risks
• Public/Private Distinctions
• Student affairs administrator
• Relationships Between Faculty Staff Students
  (Sexual)
• Student Disciplinary Process
• Tax Issues
• Title IX Requirements
• Title VI VII of Civil Rights Act
• Tort Liability
• Transportation Liability

• Duty of Landowner to Control Third Persons
• Duty to Protect Invitees
• Duty of Reasonable Standard of Care
• Duty to Supervise
• Employment Contracts
• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
• Financial Aid Guidelines
• Freedoms of Speech, Religion, Assembly and Press
• Foreign Laws
• Harassment Sexual and Racial
• High Risk Vs. Risk-Limited Activities
• Higher Education Act
• In Loco Parentis and Special Relationship
• Individual Vs. Institutional Liability
• Institutional Regulations

TAKEN FROM THE MARCH 1994 EDITION OF NAFSA
Newsletter (Rhodes, G. Millington, W.G.,
Avoiding Liability in Study Abroad Home Campus
and International Campus Concerns, NAFSA
Newsletter, March 1994, pp. pp. 3,44,46.)
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Creating a Balance in Study AbroadRhodes STAFF
MODEL Whose Perceptions?In Loco Parentis or
Special Relationship?
Human Perceptions in Perceptions Component
the US Abroad S Student Independent
Adult Take Care of Me T Top-Level
Administrator Go Global Limited Resources A
Administrator Focus Expert Broad Focus F
Faculty Academics Teach/Academics F Family
Member Independent Child/Adult Care for Child
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Consistent Standards? Reviewed and Approved or
Accredited for Study Abroad?

• Foreign University No
• Only In-Country Review
• U.S. University Satellite Campus Abroad No
• Accreditation in US Limited (if any) Review
  Abroad
• U.S University Traveling Faculty/Staff - No
• Non-University US Provider or Consortium - No
• International Independent Program Providers-No
• Program Subcontractors No
• Hybrid Program Providers No

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In The News Transportation Safety
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Center Resources

• SAFETI Clearinghouse
• Student Study Abroad Safety Handbook
• Study Abroad Now More Than Ever
• Various resource and reference sites

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Safety Abroad First Educational Travel
Information

• SAFETI Clearinghouse information and resources
• SAFETI Collaboration
• Support From Others

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SAFETI Consortium
Over 200 U.S. Colleges and Universities All 50
states
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SAFETI Adaptation of Peace Corps Resources
Issues of Health, Safety, and Crossing Cultures
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Special Issues Water Safety
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Special Issues.. Emergency Evacuation
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Study Abroad Challenges

• Students in U.S. post-secondary education
  systems are often ill prepared when it comes to
  their foreign language abilities and
  cross-cultural knowledge.
• Oftentimes, study abroad students lack the
  background knowledge, up-to-date information, and
  resources they need to better ensure their health
  and safety while studying abroad.
• As more students study abroad for shorter times,
  pre-study abroad learning and re-entry are
  particularly important to enhance the experience
  and support student safety.

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Student Study Abroad Safety Handbooks

• General Site Information, Questions, Checklists,
  Resources, Communication Sheets, Emergency
  Planning Resources
• Country-Specific Sites All the Above, Focused...
• U.S.A. Site For International Students Coming to
  the United States

To date, the Center has produced and is testing
30 country-specific Handbooks for students
interested in studying abroad in Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Portugal, Russia, South Africa South Korea,
Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United
States.
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Other Center Resources
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Model for Student TrainingPLATO Model (Mike
ONeill)
Acceptance
Protection Deterrence
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In The News Student Missing
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In The News Student Crimes Abroad
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On-Line Courses Pre-, During, and Post-

• How Do I Go Abroad as a Prepared and Informed
  Student?
• How Do I Prepare to Return?
• How Do I Integrate the Experience Abroad on
  Campus and for My Future?
• How Can I Mentor Others?

What Special Issues are There for Me?
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The On-Line Courses
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PLATO 10 Modules
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Pre-departure Curriculum Modules

• Module 1   General Overview and Introduction
• Module 2   Logistical Issues I
• Module 3   Cross-Cultural Issues
• Module 4   Country-Specific Culture
• Module 5   Language Issues
• Module 6   Country-Specific Language Learning
• Module 7   Global Citizenry and Understanding
  the World
• Module 8   Becoming a Global Citizen - Learning
  About Your Host Country
• Module 9   Logistical Issues II
• Health and Safety Abroad
• Module 10 Planning for the Return Home

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All Courses Within One FrameInternal Links to
All Content Tracks Progress
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Link to Resources on Health and
Safetyhttp//www.studentsabroad.com/cultureshock.
html
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PLATO Focus on Diversity Outreach
http//www.allabroad.usl
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Global Scholar Certificate

• Completes both the Pre- and Post-Study Abroad
  Online Courses and all activities and assignments
  related to the courses and health and safety
  issues,
• Participates in a recognized study abroad
  program,
• Takes courses which integrate international
  learning into his/her curriculum,
• Writes a final reflective paper, and
• Takes part in Outreach Program at local K-12
  schools,community colleges, and their home campus
  after returning to the United States.

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Center Multimedia Resources

• Animations (in GlobalScholar.us)
• Alcohol Issues
• Crossing the Street
• Cultural Understanding
• Insurance
• Malaria
• Transportation Safety
• Alcohol Video

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Alcohol and Study AbroadNew Multi-Media Resource
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Alcohol and Study Abroad
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Alcohol and Study Abroad
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Keys to Effective Resources

• Cooperation
• Sharing Quality Practices
• Institutions
• Across Campus
• Student Affairs
• Risk Management/Legal Counsel
• Study Abroad Office
• US and International Colleagues
• Higher Ed Org.s
• NAFSA, The Forum, NASPA, etc.
• Government Org.s
• US - FIPSE (Dept. of Educ.)
• US - Dept. of State (OSAC, CA)
• US - CDC

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Change Will Require Collaboration!We want to
hear from you!
- Gary Rhodes, Ph.D., Director Center for
Global Education (www.GlobalEd.us) SAFETI
Clearinghouse (www.GlobalEd.us/SAFETI) Study
Abroad Handbooks (www.StudentsAbroad.com) Online
Courses (www.GlobalScholar.us) Diversity Outreach
(www.AllAbroad.us) Loyola Marymount
University E-Mail grhodes_at_lmu.edu Phone
[phone] URL www.lmu.edu/globaled