Travel Advice

Field Trips - Although most field trips are trouble-free, being prepared will go a long way to avoiding the possibility of serious trouble. Listed below are a few key travel safety tips for domestic and foreign travel.

Prior and up to the date of departure, it is wise to access the U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov) website. This will provide you with country-specific information on travel advisories and health alerts. Several items of particular importance from the U.S. Department of State's home page include:

Travel Abroad - Before departing, take the time to do some research about the people and their culture, along with any problems that the country may be experiencing that could affect your travel plans. Avoid risky behavior and plan ahead. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. All chaperones and group leaders should be aware of emergency procedures and communications.

• Find out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy and consulate to where you are traveling/staying.

• Encourage students to learn as much as possible about the countries in which they plan to travel.
• Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel.
• Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.
• Students and trip chaperones/leaders should fill in the emergency information page of their passport.
• All trip attendees should make copies of their passport's data page and any visas. A copy should be kept on file with the school and for students and a copy should be kept at home with parents in the event that a passport is lost or stolen.
• Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas.
• Never accept packages from strangers.
• Avoid demonstrations or civil disturbances and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
• Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
• Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation) while you are overseas. Every year, hundreds of students become ill or suffer injuries overseas. It is essential that students have medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance that would cover a medical emergency abroad.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.cdc.gov to learn of any illness or outbreaks of concern for the country to which you plan to travel.