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Notices
for SDSU Students Abroad This site is designed
to keep you informed of the most recent
changes in policies, conditions and
events that may affect you as an SDSU
student studying or working in another
country. If you have any questions,
do not hesitate to contact the International
Student Center staff at ISC.Reception@sdsu.edu.
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U.S. State Department Travel
Advisories and Warnings
posted regularly
Cautionary Message to all SDSU Students
Abroad
posted March 18, 2003
Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS)
posted March 18, 2003
Department of State Crisis
Awareness and Preparedness Website
posted March 11, 2003
Memorandum to CSU International
Programs Community
posted 2/13/03
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U.S. State Department
Travel Advisories and Warnings
The U.S. State Department issues a "Worldwide
Caution - Public Announcement"
whenever international events merit
an advisory. The most recent advisory
may be viewed on their website at:
http://travel.state.gov/
Travel advisories for all countries
may be viewed on the State Department's
website, http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html
This is the State Department's website
for ALL types of advisories, whether
"consular information sheets",
"public announcements", or
"travel warnings". Please
note that the term "Caution"
(as in this "Worldwide Caution")
should not be confused with a "Warning",
which is the State Department's strongest
category of advisory.
To subscribe (free) to the "DOSTRAVEL"
announcements, see http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html
You can find additional information
on health, safety and security in education
abroad by going to http://www.secussa.nafsa.org/safetyabroad/default.html
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Cautionary Message to all SDSU
Students Abroad
posted March 18, 2003
Dear Students:
The U.S. media is filled with speculation
about impending military action in Iraq
as well as frequent displays of "anti-American"
sentiments around the world. Like you,
we cannot predict what might happen.
We can reassure you, however, that your
well-being is our first concern and
that we are following the situation
closely. SDSU has been sending students
abroad since 1963 and all our students
have safely coped with other difficult
times because of careful planning and
preparation. We expect that to be the
case with you during these turbulent
times as well.
As of today we have no evidence that
students participating in any of our
programs abroad are in danger. We are
constantly monitoring world events and
we are in continuous contact with our
colleagues here and abroad. The International
Student Center has an experienced staff
who are knowledgeable about safety issues
and emergency procedures, and we have
a variety of plans ready to implement
as needed.
Within the next 24 hours we
encourage you to take the following
steps to enhance your safety:
| 1. Confirm your
personal contact information with
the proper officials at the institution
you are attending. These officials
will be our first point of contact
in the event of an emergency. Be
sure they know your physical address,
your telephone number(s), and your
email address. Be sure they have
a record of your emergency contacts
in the U.S., as well as any emergency
contacts you might have established
in your local area. |
2. If you have
not already done so, register
with the nearest U.S. Consulate.
Contact information for your nearest
consulate can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/ |
| 3. Call your family
and reassure them you are okay.
They may be more worried about your
welfare than you are because they
are not seeing things through your
eyes. They may even encourage you
to return home because they are
anxious about the many uncertainties,
or they may have seen something
in the news that scared them. Let
them know how to stay in touch with
you. |
4. If you plan
on traveling during the next few
weeks, create an itinerary with
contact information for each stop,
and distribute copies to the proper
officials at your institution
and to your family back home.
Keep to your itinerary, and if
your plans change, notify those
who have your itineraries. |
| 5. Be aware of
your surroundings at all times,
and follow both world and local
events closely. Being informed can
help you understand and anticipate
events. Monitor on a daily basis
our updated announcements at http://www.sdsu.edu/isc/abroadnotices.htm
This site provides references to
a variety of safety issues, emergency
planning, and U.S. government advisories.
In addition, British and Australian
Ministries of Foreign Affairs have
up to date information related to
safety and travel at http://www.fco.gov.uk
or http://www.dfat.gov.au/travel |
| 6. Go to
Health & Safety
and review all the information regarding
Health and Safety Resources for
Study Abroad. Be sure to review
Participant Responsibilities to be clear about how you are responsible
for yourself in an emergency. Download
the Guide to Developing a Personal
Emergency Action Plan at this link
and follow its instructions
so that you will be prepared if
you are involved in an emergency. |
7. While you
may not have directly experienced
any anti-Americanism, you should
always reduce your risk of becoming
a target. Some Americans have
general cultural characteristics
that set them apart; things such
as talking loudly in public, wearing
a baseball cap or university t-shirt
or sweatshirt can make you stand
out in a crowd. Try to avoid drawing
attention to yourself as well
as congregating at local "American"
haunts such as Hard Rock Cafes
and McDonalds. Remember that the
key to being safe is to blend
into your surroundings. |
| 8. Many of you
may have seen local demonstrations
protesting the US position on Iraq.
No matter how "exciting"
it is to go and observe such demonstrations,
the best advise is to avoid them
all together. You do not know what
activities might take place at such
large events, or whether they may
turn violent. Simply because you
are an "innocent bystander"
does not mean that you are immune
from local laws and enforcement. |
Finally, we want to
emphasize that we have every expectation
that you will be able to continue your
academic program as planned and we look
forward to welcoming you back to SDSU
when your program is over. We firmly
believe that international education
builds greater international understanding
and that your experience abroad will
ultimately enhance security and peace
in an uncertain world. You are doing
important work and we are here to support
you in the pursuit of your goals.
Please let us know if you need additional
information that could enhance your
safety at this time.
Take care and be safe.
Ron Moffatt
Director
Robert Carolin
Assistant Director for Education Abroad
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS)
posted 3/18/03
Reports began circulating over the weekend
about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS). The situation is being followed
closely by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) and the World Health Organization.
This illness may present similarly
to the "flu," with fever and
respiratory symptoms, but those affected
may have difficulty breathing and develop
pneumonia. Cases have been primarily
in Hong Kong or Guangdong Province in
People's Republic of China, Vietnam,
and Singapore, but there have been a
few cases in travellers coming from
these areas.
The causative organism has not yet
been identified and the incubation period
appears to be 2-7 days. According to
the World Health Organization, the disease
is spread from person to person, but
only through close contact with a case.
To date, almost all reported cases have
occurred in health workers involved
in the direct care of reported cases
or in close contacts, such as family
members. There is no evidence to date
that the disease spreads though casual
contact.
To keep informed of the latest developments
on SARS and its affect on international
travel, you should monitor the following
web sites on a regular basis:
Center For Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
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Department of
State Crisis Awareness and Preparedness
Website
posted March 11, 2003
http://www.ready.gov/
This is a comprehensive site with many
resources that may be helpful to you
in preparing for a crisis abroad. Iformation
includes
Emergency Services to
U.S. Citizens Abroad
Current Crisis Overseas
Crisis Awareness
Crisis Preparedness
Crisis Reference
Disaster Victims
Disaster Relief
The site also provides specific information,
references and instructions on the following
types of crises:
Health Concerns
Safety and Security
Evacuations
Aviation Disasters
Other Transportation Accidents
Terrorism
Technological Disasters
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Memorandum to
CSU International Programs Community
posted 2/13/03
From: Leo Van Cleve, Director, CSU International
Programs Office, Phone: (562) 951-4790
Subject: Current Events
In the last few days, several colleagues
have called to ask about the continuing
tension and the possibility of military
action. Like you, we cannot predict
what might happen or what impact events
might have here in California or elsewhere.
We can reassure you that the well-being
of the students is our first concern
and that we are watching the situation
closely. IP has been sending students
abroad since 1963. Over the past forty
years, IP has often been able to remain
in operation in difficult times because
of its planning and preparation.
As of today we have no evidence that
students abroad through the CSU International
Programs are in danger. Our programs
in Zimbabwe and Israel have been suspended
for the 2002-03 academic year. All other
programs remain in operation. Nevertheless,
we are monitoring the situation and
are in continuous contact by mail, telephone,
fax, and e-mail with our colleagues
here and Resident Directors and university
staff abroad. The following are part
of our regular program operation:
- We have an experienced staff who
are knowledgeable about safety procedures.
- Our Resident Directors have a training
session before they depart.
- Resident Directors establish contact
with local officials and receive updates
from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
in the country.
We have evacuation procedures if that
should become a necessity.
- Students have an orientation before
departure and another orientation
on arrival at which they receive information
about health, safety, and security
issues.
- IP students spend a year in the
country and by this point in their
experience most are well acquainted
with their host country and their
local community. They are not centralized
in one place or living in large U.S.-only
dormitory complexes that could be
easily identified.
- We ask students to leave their itineraries
when they leave to travel so that
they can be quickly contacted.
- We urge students to be aware of
their surroundings and follow events
closely. Being informed can help to
understand and perhaps to anticipate
events.
Once again, I want to emphasize that
we have every expectation that all students
will be able to continue their academic
year as planned and we look forward
to welcoming them back to California
when their year is over. It is our belief
that international experience will build
understanding and ultimately enhance
security and peace in an uncertain world.
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