Health and Safety

Safety considerations are a key component of each education abroad program.  Georgia College adheres to the professional standards of safety and risk management in education abroad.  Georgia College is a member of the Forum for Education Abroad, which sets the national standard of good practices. The International Education Center implements the Forum’s Standard 8 on safety abroad and risk assessment.  In addition, the International Education Center monitors world events through a variety of government-based resources, including the Overseas Security and Advisory Council (OSAC), the U.S. Department of State, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other foreign-based resources, including but not limited to: the British Foreign Service and Commonwealth Office and the Canadian Foreign Travel Advice websites. Georgia College also works closely with its foreign university partners and study abroad affiliates for ‘on-the-ground’ understanding of local events or concerns related to the Worldwide Travel Caution.  All Georgia College organized programs require students, faculty, and staff to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Additionally, all study abroad students, faculty, and staff are enrolled in mandatory comprehensive medical, evacuation, and repatriation insurance plans. All of this information is delivered in pre-departure group orientations or in one-on-one advising sessions. For more information, e-mail studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu or call (478) 445-4789. 

The information provided in this section is designed for students preparing to go abroad. Students who are well-prepared for their travels abroad tend to be more successful and happier with the experience. Should an emergency occur while you are on study abroad, please first contact your in-country study abroad program director, who will manage the situation. If for some reason you cannot contact your program director, please contact immediately: 
 

International Education Center
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
+1-478-445-4789
or
Georgia College Public Safety 
24 hours 
+1-478-445-4400
 

Also, be prepared to contact the local police and possibly the U.S. Embassy. And don't forget to call your parents to alert them of the situation!