{"588404":{"#nid":"588404","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Preparing Your Student for a Program Abroad","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMore than 2,000 Georgia Tech students each year participate in study and internship abroad programs. The Office of International Education (OIE) recognizes that one of the most important considerations for you and your student when they go abroad is their health and safety. Although there are risks inherent to travel, there are many precautions a student can take to increase their safety and security. Below are a few recommendations that we encourage you to review and discuss with your student prior to embarking on an international program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EGeorgia Tech requires that all outgoing students enroll in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.culturalinsurance.com\/gatech\/\u0022\u003ECISI overseas insurance\u003C\/a\u003E that covers medical expenses, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and security evacuation. It also includes limited coverage for trip delay and lost luggage. You are also encouraged to consider purchasing additional trip cancellation\/trip interruption insurance as this is not provided by Georgia Tech.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EWe strongly recommend that U.S. citizens enroll in the U.S. State Department\u0026rsquo;s STEP Program prior to departure (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/step.state.gov\/step\/\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/step.state.gov\/step\/\u003C\/a\u003E). By enrolling in STEP, the U.S. embassy in the host country will be able to share important safety information with the traveler, and contact them in the case of a major emergency. Students should also familiarize themselves with the services provided by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. For citizens of other countries, we recommend that they research what services are provided by their home country\u0026rsquo;s embassies and consulates abroad.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOutgoing students are provided with emergency contact cards with information they may need in the unlikely event of an emergency. Students should carry these cards with them at all times. Students should also learn the local emergency number in their host country.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EGeorgia Tech has a well-established emergency response plan in place for students who are abroad. OIE works closely with the Dean of Students and the Georgia Tech Police to respond to crises and emergencies abroad. Students may call the Tech Police at 404-894-2500 at any time to report an emergency. Students are also encouraged to download GT Police\u0026rsquo;s LiveSafe App prior to departure (\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.livesafe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.livesafe.gatech.edu\/\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EThrough GT\u0026rsquo;s Stamps Health Services, students have access to Travel Services, including immunizations and travel advice (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/services\/travelimmunizations\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/services\/travelimmunizations\u003C\/a\u003E). Students should make an appointment at least eight weeks prior to departure.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ETalk to your family doctor about managing health concerns while abroad and making a plan for prescriptions that will be taken abroad. We strongly encourage students to disclose health concerns to their OIE advisor and\/or study abroad program director so that they are aware of any medical needs.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EStudents with a registered disability are strongly encouraged to speak with the Office of Disability Services (\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/disabilityservices.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/disabilityservices.gatech.edu\/\u003C\/a\u003E) about their travel abroad plans as soon as possible. Students are also asked to inform their OIE advisor and\/or study abroad program directors as early as possible about any accommodations they may need to request.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOIE provides outgoing students with health and safety advice during pre-departure orientations. Students should review these materials and share them with you.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EFor more info, parents may refer to our website: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/oie.gatech.edu\/sa\/parents-info\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/oie.gatech.edu\/sa\/parents-info\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETogether, we can all contribute to our students\u0026rsquo; well-being while they are abroad!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Jennifer Evanuik Baird, Director of Global Internship Program and International Plan  Lorie Paulez, Director of Education Abroad"}],"field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"More than 2,000 Georgia Tech students each year participate in study and internship abroad programs."}],"uid":"27244","created_gmt":"2017-03-07 19:21:53","changed_gmt":"2017-03-07 19:21:53","author":"Sara Warner","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-03-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-03-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}