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Safety

The health and safety of study away students is of primary concern to Macalester College. At the Center for Study Away, our approach to student health and safety blends preparation, support, and response. This focus is carried throughout the study away cycle: program review, student advising, pre-departure orientation, and student support during study away and upon return to campus.

Macalester College endorses the recommendations of the Forum on Education Abroad’s Standards of Good Practice and the recommendations of the NAFSA Health and Safety Task Force.

Travel Advisories and Program Approval

Macalester will apply the following guidelines to student travel based on the US Department of State (DOS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) travel guidance. A review will be conducted should guidance from either agency meet the thresholds outlined below:

  • DOS Level 1 or Level 2: Macalester does not restrict travel to these areas or countries.
  • CDC Level 1 or Level 2: Macalester does not restrict travel to these areas or countries.
  • DOS Level 3 or Level 4: Macalester sponsored travel to these areas or countries requires committee review and approval.
  • CDC Level 3: Macalester sponsored travel to these areas or countries requires committee review and approval.

These guidelines apply to Approved and Non­-Approved Programs and include independent student travel that occurs during the dates of a student’s study away program. Additionally, Macalester College reserves the right to not approve a student’s study away plans solely based on safety and security concerns, regardless of a program location’s U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level. Please visit the U.S. Department of State Website to see a list of countries and their current Travel Advisories and visit the Centers for Disease Control Website to see a list list of CDC Travel Health Notices.

Please view Macalester’s Travel Advisory Policy for complete details.

Safety Tips

Plan to exercise greater caution about personal safety and property safety than you would at home. You should know the location of the nearest police stations, fire stations, and hospitals. More information on traveling safely is available from the U.S. Department of State and SAFETI’s Personal Safety and Awareness Workbook.

Register Your Travel

U.S. Citizens are strongly encouraged to register their travel in the US Dept. of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  This will allow the local consulate and embassy to know that you are in their jurisdiction should an unexpected event occur.  You will also receive relevant safety and security updates directly from the consulate via e-mail should the need arise. You should update your registration to include travel to other regions while on breaks or weekends.

Non-U.S. Citizens are strongly encouraged to contact their home country’s embassy or consulate for the location where you are studying.  Provide them with the dates of your stay, address where you are staying, and a means of contacting you.

Minnesota Study Abroad Reporting

To comply with 2014 Minnesota Session Laws Chapter 312, the Center for Study Away reports information on study abroad student participation, hospitalizations, and deaths that occur during study away to the state of Minnesota. The most recent report is available at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Study Abroad Health and Safety website. Their office also provides Study Abroad Health and Safety Resources for Students and Parents .