Duke GEO Study Abroad Pre-departure Health, Safety and Security

1. HEALTH, SAFETY, & SECURITY
Study Abroad| Pre-Departure Orientation

2. Alcohol & Drug Use
• Alcohol and drug use can negatively impact your academics,
relationships, health, safety, and overall study away experience
• Being intoxicated also negatively impacts your awareness and
judgment, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and/or you
becoming the victim of a crime
– Consume alcohol in moderation
– Know host country attitudes and laws regarding alcohol consumption
– Keep a close watch over your drink
– Don’t accept food/drinks from strangers
• Violating drug laws may result in arrest, imprisonment, and/or
dismissal from the program and/or Duke

3. Safety & Security
• Inform yourself as much as possible about your new environment
• Make sure a friend, classmate, and/or the program director knows where
you’re going and when you expect to be back
– Avoid being alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods; travel in a group as much as possible
– Use the buddy system
• Understand the basic geography of your destination
– Familiarize yourself with key routes and areas to avoid
– Memorize important local phrases
• Maintain a low profile and try to fit in
– Dress inconspicuously and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth
– Avoid displaying money, wearing jewelry, and carrying valuables
• When carrying valuables, watch them closely

4. Safety & Security
• Avoid disputes, demonstrations, political rallies/protests, and other street
commotions
– Do not stay to watch or take photos
• Exercise heightened situational awareness when in public, and be alert
– Report any suspicious activity or persons immediately to local authorities
• Don’t give out your personal information, or discuss your plans with strangers
• Discuss location-specific concerns with your program director/GEO staff as
soon as they arise
• Learn the emergency number (911 equivalent) for your host country
• Closely monitor reputable local and international news sources
If you witness or are the victim of any
crime, contact your program director
and/or on-site staff immediately

5. In Case of Emergency
• Always carry some form of communication equipment, such as a cell phone
• Save useful emergency numbers to your phone at the beginning of the
program
– Local police/ambulance/fire services (https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-
abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf)
– Your program director
– Duke Police (919-684-2444)
– The relevant U.S. embassy/consulate
– International SOS (215-942-8478)
• Make sure you share your international phone number with your program
director, so that he or she knows how to reach you if needed
Inform your program director and on-
site support staff of any emergency

6. Gender-Based
Safety & Security
• Research your host country/culture: Gender roles and norms may
differ greatly from those in the U.S. Differences may include:
– What is viewed as appropriate dress
– Forms of interpersonal communication (both verbal and non-verbal)
– Conceptions of personal space
• What we consider sexual harassment in the U.S. may be part a
cultural norm in your host country
– May take the form of cat-calls, staring, gestures, and other forms of
unwanted attention
– That doesn’t mean you have to accept unwanted attention/behavior,
though

7. Gender-Based
Safety & Security
• To help minimize the risks of sexual assault/harassment:
– Be aware of your surroundings
– Travel in a group/avoid traveling alone at night
– Walk confidently, and avoid poorly lit, deserted areas
– Avoid walking with headphones/earbuds in
– Take cues from locals
– Observe and respect local clothing customs
– Don’t open residence doors to strangers
• If you feel you are being harassed, remove yourself from the situation as
soon as you can safely do so
• For more info about reporting sexual misconduct while on your program,
visit: https://globaled.duke.edu/for_students/health_and_safety/sexual-
misconduct
Report any incidents to your
program director and on-site
support staff

8. Racial and Ethnic Concerns
• One of the biggest challenges is knowing the cultural nuances of what
constitutes racism, discrimination, and/or bias in your specific study
abroad location
• Research how your race/ethnicity is perceived in your host country,
including the historical context of immigration, race relations, etc. Learn
how you may be treated or viewed in your host country
• Once abroad, create a support network to discuss and process your
experiences
• Keep an open mind and learn to distinguish between curiosity
stemming from ignorance and outright racism or discrimination
• If someone you know calls you by a name you are uncomfortable with,
politely ask them to stop. If the behavior continues, notify your on-site
program director or support staff
• Talk to a GEO advisor about your concerns before you go abroad

9. Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity
• Students identifying as LGBT+ should educate themselves about
their host country, city, region, and culture’s attitudes/laws regarding
their sexual orientation and gender identity before traveling
• Be aware that attitudes/laws may differ significantly from those
found in the United States
• Some students have found it necessary to hide their sexual
orientation and/or gender identity for safety reasons while abroad,
while others find safe ways to express them openly
• Be sure you inform yourself, and reach out to GEO staff for more
information or resources if needed

10. Mental Health
• Disclose to GEO staff well before departure if you are currently experiencing
and/or have experienced mental health issues in the recent past
• New environments can spark new anxiety and/or exacerbate existing
illnesses
• Talk to your program director and support staff, as well as classmates and
friends/family, for help navigating intercultural stress
• Talk to your doctor/healthcare provider before going abroad
– Make sure he/she provides you with an adequate supply of any medication you may
need
– Continue to take medication as prescribed while abroad
• Anticipate possible stressors, and develop plans to address them before
going abroad
• Remember: There is no “right” way to study abroad. Your experiences are
valid even if they differ from those of your peers
While abroad, seek mental
health support if and when you
need it

11. Questions?
Contact us at globaled@duke.edu
or
919-684-2174
In emergency situations, you can
always call the Duke Police 24/7 at:
919-684-2444