Health and Safety

If you are the victim of a crime overseas:

Call 24/7 Assist US Consular Affairs Services collect from Abroad: 1-202-501-4444

If calling from the USA: 1-888-407-4747

Contact the U.S. embassies and consulate abroad.

Deciding to Study Abroad — Deciding to be Healthy & Safe Abroad

Changing conditions and unpredictable events occur both in the U.S. and throughout the world. This makes it important for you to understand the local circumstances where you will be studying and traveling. The health and safety of students, faculty and staff abroad is of primary importance to Simmons and, while we can never guarantee complete safety abroad, we provide access to resources to help you evaluate information, assess the situation, and make the best possible decision about your study abroad experience. The College believes that it is your responsibility to learn about where you hope to study, determine your level of comfort and safety, and prepare yourself by reading the advice offered by the Study Abroad Office and your program provider.

Your health and safety abroad starts with an honest assessment of your health and safety needs. Living and studying abroad will differ from life at home; that's one of the reasons that students choose to study abroad. However, studying abroad can be emotionally, physically, and intellectually demanding. Before you go abroad, evaluate how prepared you are for life in another country.

• Assess your physical and mental health; see your health care practitioners
• Know the demands and resources of the program
• Know the political situation and living conditions in your host country
• Be familiar with what your insurance covers

Not all locations will be able to accommodate all needs, and you should take local conditions into account before deciding where and when to travel. The Study Abroad Office is available to assist you in preparing for what we hope will be a fulfilling and transformative study abroad experience.

Useful Travel Websites

• U.S. State Department
  Register your travel through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • Country Specific information - safety, crime, traffic/road conditions, entry/exit requirements, and Embassy contact information
  • Information for Students Abroad - helpful links and important information geared directly towards students going abroad
    • For Emergency Information - go to: "Emergencies" on the top for a list of 9-1-1 Emergency Contact Numbers Abroad. "Travel Docs" includes info on how to report a lost passport.
• World Factbook
  Information on history, people, government, economy, etc.
• Etiquette Guides
  Information on etiquette and cultural norms. Also includes country information and other helpful links.
• Her Own Way
  Information for women ranging from intercultural issues to overseas relationships, courtesy of our friends to the north.
• Journeywoman
  Lots of good general travel tips and packing hints. Our favorite section ... "What should she wear, where?"
• Sara's Wish transportation issues
• SAFETI: Safety Abroad First – Educational Travel Information
• SAFETI: Etiquette and Safety Tips
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization
• TSA Guidelines
  Travelers with disabilities, medications, etc.
• Airline Information and Regulations
  Boston Logan Airport's homepage, links to airlines, visit their homepages to search for keyword "baggage" to find airline-specific details, baggage fees, restrictions and FAQ's