By Sean Hull
Features Editor
mhudso27@jccc.edu
Student safety when studying abroad is a major concern for the college and students themselves. The recent tragedies in Paris have shown that countries perceived safe for student travel can still be dangerous in rare events.
The world has been roused to an outpouring of emotional support for the French people, but still, concerns about safety in the popular tourist city, and the whole of Europe, are high. The college currently does not have any students studying in Paris, though there are two in Italy and one in England. The Study Abroad program has reached out to those students studying in Europe to ensure their safety, despite not being in France, but hasn’t heard back from them.
The college considers many factors when deciding what Study Abroad programs to offer, safety being one of the most important. The college vets every Study Abroad program through a safety panel, and no programs are offered anywhere the United States Department of State deems unsafe for travel. Students also attend a safety orientation before leaving, where general advice on how to stay safe is given. The college also buys international travel insurance at no cost to students. The insurance functions as health insurance abroad, but also covers the costs of evacuating students if necessary under any circumstance, including natural disasters and tragedy.
According to Janette Jasperson, a coordinator for international education at the college, there has only been one situation in which a student had to be evacuated.
“When the tsunami hit Japan, and then the nuclear site leaked down, we had a student in Tokyo … we ended up basically doing what our counterparts were doing. So when KU decided to call their students home, we called ours home,” said Jasperson.
Student opinions diverge on whether recent events will affect their decision to study abroad. Student Dan Stilley said he hasn’t considered studying abroad before, but recent events will deter him from Study Abroad in the future.
“Considering that, I mean I know they didn’t target her for being a college student, but there was an American college student that was killed. It’s certainly scary to think about that. What if you were overseas and studying abroad, and something like that happens to you? I think the unknowns of being so far away from home in a time you don’t know what could happen are pretty scary,” said Stilley.
Student Martin Tomlinson, who plans to spend four weeks in Spain this summer, said events don’t affect his decision.
“I still feel relatively safe. I’m definitely scared but I don’t think I can let that shake my beliefs or how I want to live my life,” said Tomlinson.
Jasperson outlined some some basic safety advice for students traveling abroad:
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Protect your passport.
- Avoid carrying all of your belongings in one place.
For more information on the Study Abroad program, visit their page on the college’s website here.