Self-Education
You are responsible for learning as much as possible about the area(s) to which you will be traveling. The Department of State website includes the most up to date information about the current political climate, security/crime, health conditions and medical facilities, entry and currency requirements and the location of the US Embassy or Consulate.
Resources
- Haverford College departments and faculty. In particular, international and area studies departments.
- U.S. embassy or consulate in your host country.
- Embassy or Consulate of your host country in the U.S.
- Bureau of Consular Affairs, Travel Abroad homepage. This is the State Department's travel website for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. It is a good central database for how to access other relevant traveler information, such as STEP, Travel Warnings, and travel tips.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings. The U.S. government updates this website daily with travel warnings that U.S. citizens should not travel to a particular region or country.
- Country Specific Information. This provides specific safety and security information for each country.
- Students Abroad. This is the State Department’s website that addresses specific needs of U.S. students studying abroad.
- Safety Abroad First. Educational Travel Information: SAFETI creates and disseminates resources to support study abroad program development and implementation, emphasizing health and safety issues for students, faculty, and staff.
Read Up On...
Issues relating to gender, ethnicity and religion, sexual orientation, and disabilities for your host country and countries to which you will travel. Foreign universities often have student groups organized around these issues and some travel books will cover these issues in depth. You can also request that your program give you a list of program alumni who can provide you with information on these issues.
Current events in your host country. Foreign newspapers and magazines can often be found online or in Magill Library. You should also be well versed in what is happening in the U.S. People you meet in your host country may well ask you detailed questions about the U.S.