International Security & HealthIn Education Abroad

Centers for Disease Controlhttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/

ImmunizationsCommon Diseases

FoodWater

Medications

Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

www.osac.gov

Consult Local News Resources

Preparation Continued… Call your financial institutions! Copy important documents

multiple copies (at least 3!) store them in different places (E.g. Parents’ house!) Passport, License, Contacts List, Insurance Card, etc…

Compile important contact information Director, Facilitator, Parents, Roommates, Host Family,

Credit Card Theft Hotlines, Doctors, Embassy, etc…

Secure publicly available personal information (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.)

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Understanding Risks & Threats

Security is not BLACK & WHITE

Questions you should consider…

1. What should I do if I have a medical situation or emergency?

2. What should I do if I am a victim of a crime?3. What natural disasters are more likely to occur,

and what should I do if they do occur?4. Are there areas, times, or behaviors that attract

higher safety or security risks?5. What cultural elements affect my safety and

security?6. What laws or customs may affect me?7. Do I need any medications while I am abroad and

what should I do if I do need medications?8. What health factors should I take into

consideration?9. How will I cope with culture shock?10.What elements make me or my location unique?

Sources of Health & Safety challenges relevant to students and programs

Physical Environment Climate Natural Disasters Accommodations Food and Water Language and/or Cultural

Barriers

Political Environment Corruption Elections Political Turmoil Terrorism Local Law

Crime/Safety Robbery/Theft Assault Sexual

Harassment/Assault

Behavior/choice Risky behavior or activities Following program rules BYU Honor Code

Transportation Traffic Pedestrians Rides

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Understanding Risks & Threats

Principles

Location

Time of day

Activities

Probability of incident

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Most of the incidents we deal with…

Transp

ortati

on…are pedestrian, auto, or water-related, not violent crime.

How will you be traveling and what should you watch for?• Buses• Taxis• Trains• Walking

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Flat, Apartment & Hotel Safety

Check your windows and doors for adequate locks.

Do not open your door to anyone you do not know – including workers.

Make sure that you have adequate lighting inside and out.

Check for emergency exits / fire escapes.

Do not leave belongings out in the open.

Do not leave bags, etc… unattended.

Lock any valuable items (including documents) in a safe or your suitcase.

Theft: Distractions TechniquesPushing, jostling or surrounding the victim.

Using children to beg or otherwise distract the victim.

Engaging the victim in conversation.

Accidentally spilling a substance on the victim's clothes and then offering to help clean it up.

Targeting victims’ possessions that are on the ground or otherwise out of the victims’ hands.

Dropping money or coins near the victim.

Virtual Kidnappings

Purse snatching

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ATM and Credit Card Fraud

Don’t tell anyone your PIN.

“Eyeball” the ATM before using it. If there are any odd signs or stickers, don’t use it.

If the reader doesn’t return your card, contact your supervisor and the police immediately.

Check your statements frequently.

Don’t accept help from strangers at any ATM.

Don’t let your card out of your sight while making purchases.

Counterfeit Bills

REAL FAKE

Only seen with backlighting Imprinted on the bill

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Money and other Valuables…

Critical IncidentA US Citizen was having lunch at a hotel when her purse was stolen from the back of her chair.

What did she do wrong?

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Terrorism, Assault, Burglary, Kidnappings…

REPORT SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS!!!

Robbery

Remain calm Be cooperative Avoid arguments

Kidnapping

Express Kidnapping

Robbery/Armed Robbery

Robbery and Theft Prevention

Be aware of who and what are around you.

You watch your stuff!

Lock your valuables in a safe (if available) or in your suitcase at your residence.

Carry only what you need and conceal what you carry.

The harder your valuables are to get to, the less likely you are to be robbed.

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What’s Wrong with This Picture?

The more you stand out, the more of a target you make yourself.

What can you do to help yourself blend in?

Walk with purpose & confidence

Clothes Language What you’re

carrying…

Emergencies do happen

Environmental Hazards (Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Blizzards, Loss of Power or Water, etc.)

Political Problems (Mass Demonstrations, Political Turmoil, Terrorism, etc.)

Loss of Property (Lost Documents, Stolen Money, Loss of Phone or Computer)

Critical Incident

A group of BYU students were in Chengdu, China when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred. It was the deadliest earthquake in 32 years, killing 68,000 people. They were only 50 miles from the epicenter. The group was instantly helpless. They had no food, water, little money, and outside communications were extremely limited. It took several days to evacuate the group out of Chengdu. In the first 72 hours they experienced scores of aftershocks, ranging from 4.0 to 6.1 in magnitude. They were in a constant state of emergency.

Critical Incident

While on a field study, a student was waiting to be picked up by a friend. The student decided to grab some items left at their residence, a very short distance away, but left their bag hiding in some bushes. When they returned less than 5 minutes later, the bag was gone. Inside the bag was their passport, important documents, credit card, cash, train tickets, and their camera. To top it all off, their phone died shortly after, and they were unable to recharge it. The student was left with few options, as they had little money and communication was extremely limited.

Be Prepared:

Keep your critical documents secure

Ensure that your phone is charged and has sufficient minutes.

Keep enough cash (even dollars) to be able to survive for a couple of days.

Have enough water and food to last a couple of days.

Keep a spare change of clothes.

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The Mom Rule!!

Let someone know where you are going, what you are doing and when you will return.

Give your travel itineraries to your director.

Obey curfews!

Travel Safely and Have Fun!