The International Education Center (IEC) makes safety abroad a top priority and makes reasonable efforts to respond to health and safety notices received from the Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control for Latin American countries and other worldwide locations. Further, Georgia College has enrolled students on Georgia College faculty-led study abroad programs in the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Students traveling abroad outside of Georgia College programs are encouraged to register in the STEP program by themselves.

Georgia College recommends students, faculty, and staff to monitor US Embassy security messages on http://travel.state.gov in case official messages and security updates are provided for their host country and/or other country destinations. Students are also encouraged to visit the U.S. Embassy websites for the countries to which they will travel, and review the information on U.S. Citizen Services at those embassies.

The IEC is being advised and working closely with public health officials on matters pertaining to health safety in regions affected by the Zika virus. Per Georgia College policies, there are currently no prohibitions regarding the Zika virus preventing Georgia College study abroad travel in Latin American or Caribbean countries.
 
Individuals are strongly encouraged to refer to the CDC’s current information and advisement at: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/.
 
In the event Georgia College becomes aware of a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning for any areas impacted by Zika or should further health and safety developments indicate the need to suspend a Georgia College study abroad program, the Office of International Education and its risk management team will work with students to identify necessary support.