Health, safety & insurance

A significant number of emergencies that happen while abroad, such as personal injuries, robberies, muggings, drownings, and sexual assaults, involve alcohol.

The consumption of alcohol, and whether it is allowed on your study abroad program, depends on two things:

1. The specific rules of your program. Some programs are completely dry, as established by your program director or your host university. In this case, consuming alcohol will be seen as a violation of the Student Abroad Standards of Conduct (see #28). You will be sent home from your program for violating program or Study Abroad rules.
2. The laws and regulations of the country that you will be going to. If you will be in a country where you are not of legal drinking age or it’s a cultural taboo, you are subject to their local laws. If you drink alcohol illegally, the excuses of “I didn’t know” or “it’s legal back in the U.S.” will not be sufficient and you may face legal consequences.

If you are permitted to consume alcohol while abroad:

You are required to drink responsibly.

If you consume alcohol to the point of intoxication, you may be in violation of the Student Abroad Standards of Conduct (again, see #28) and may be removed from your program.

• Drinking impairs your situational awareness. Stop well before you think you should. The extra drink will not be worth it if it causes an emergency.
• Tolerance for alcohol changes while abroad.  Studies show that a new environment lowers your tolerance for alcohol; altitude, temperature, and the drink contents are all factors. Watch this video to gain a better understanding of the physiological effects of alcohol.
• Do not give in to peer pressure. Whether it’s friends or the host culture, you do not have to drink because everyone else is.
• Cultural norms are often moderate or more conservative. It’s unlikely that public drunkenness is tolerated by locals. Don’t be the obnoxious stereotype.
• Follow the same “common sense” rules that you would in the U.S. Don’t leave your drink unattended, don’t accept drinks from strangers. Don’t leave someone alone in an impaired state and don’t engage in risky behaviors such as swimming, meeting strangers, or using e-scooters after drinking.

If you are traveling with prescription medication, make sure to check if it is a legal or banned substance in your destination country.

Best Practices:

• Travel with medication in their original containers
• Have paper documentation of the prescription, including name and dosage
• If you need more than a three-month supply, you may need a letter of support and approval from the embassy or immigration services
• Know the generic name of your prescription
• International SOS can also help with scheduling appointments or locating pharmacies if you need a prescription refill
• Reach out to the US Embassy if your prescription medication is on a controlled substance list for the country you are going to (this is most common for stimulants prescribed for ADHD)

We recommend calling ISOS for a consultation before you depart if you have specific questions or concerns regarding your medication.

Each year, 2,500 U.S. citizens are arrested abroad, and one third of the arrests while abroad are on drug-related charges, including the use of recreational drugs that are legal in the US.

The U.S. embassy and the University of Washington will be limited in the ways they can assist you if you are found in violation of drug possession laws. In some locations, even just possession of illegal drugs carries a mandatory prison sentence. The safe and smart approach while abroad is to avoid drug possession and use altogether.

Cultural attitudes around public smoking also vary widely, and may carry legal restrictions, including fines.

If someone asks you to carry a suitcase or package, no matter how small, don’t do it.

Recreational marijuana: 

Since 2012, the sale and possession of recreational marijuana in Washington state have been legal for adults over the age of 21. UW policy prohibits the production, distribution, possession, and use of cannabis on university property or during university-sponsored activities, including study abroad.

A number of countries have enacted more stringent drug laws that impose mandatory jail sentences for individuals convicted of possessing even small amounts of marijuana or cocaine for personal use. In some countries, CBD products are considered equivalent with marijuana.

Airline, TSA, and local security have a right to search your belongings, particularly while you are in transit. If they find you in possession of drugs, whether or not it was legal in the country you are traveling from, you will be subject to the local laws of your destination or layover country.

It is not worth the risk.

UW Study Abroad respects the sexual orientation and gender identity of all people, and we have compiled resources to help you navigate who you are while abroad.

Gender Identity

Interactions between people will differ; in some places there may be more segregation between men and women. In some countries, locals may more openly initiate unwanted comments or attention, specifically to female or female-presenting travelers.

To help mitigate gender-associated risks:

• Pay attention to dressing in a culturally appropriate way
• Research the security situation and if it is safe to travel after dark, alone, or to certain parts of a city
• Think through gender roles in your host country and what may or may not be expected of you
• Resources for female and female-presenting travelers:
  • Women Travelers Perspectives
  • Health for Women Travelers
  • Sexual Harassment And Prevention In College Students Studying Abroad

For students who identify outside of a gender binary, note that the Study Abroad office or the US Embassy may be required to use the sex or name listed on your legal passport. There may be legal restrictions around gender expression in your itinerary country. If you have questions, or need extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sexuality and LGBTQI+

Not everywhere in the world is as safe, respectful, or inclusive as we would hope. For students who identify or present as LGBTQI+, consider the following risk mitigation practices:

• Research LGBTQI+ issues and politics in the country. How is sexuality is viewed or ciminalized in the area that you’re going to?
• Understand the laws and regulations around LGBTQI+ issues in the country. What could it mean to be fully out (including legal restrictions), or to closet parts of your identity?

Once you are outside of the US, you are no longer protected by your US rights. You may risk legal repercussions if you engage in certain behaviors or demonstrate aspects of your sexuality that are criminalized in your host country. The US Embassy and the University of Washington will be limited in how we can help you if you find yourself in trouble with the law.

The following resources may be helpful for LGBTQI+ travelers:

• University of Washington Q Center 
• NAFSA’s Rainbow Special Interest Group
• IES Abroad – LGBTQ+ & Ally Resources
• Unpacked: A Study Abroad Guide for Students Like Me
• Tips for LGBTQ Students Abroad
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Travelers
• LGBTQ+ Safety Guide
• LGBTQ and legality abroad – Human Dignity Trust
• ILGA – The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
• IGLHRC – The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

UW Study Abroad respects the race, ethnicity, and nationality all people, and we have compiled resources to help you navigate who you are while abroad.

In some situations, your race, ethnicity or nationality may be read or interpreted differently than you are accustomed to. You may  encounter different cultural norms related to minority status or forms racism and discrimination.

Use the following resources to help prepare for navigating your racial and ethnic identity while abroad:

• DiversityAbroad.com
• IES Abroad – Race, Ethnicity, & Nationality Resources
• Diversity Issues in Study Abroad
• ALLABROAD.us
• Study Abroad Matters: Top 10 Reasons for African American Students to Study Abroad
• I Was a Student of Color Who Studied Abroad. Here Are 4 Questions I Wish I Had Asked Before I Left
• Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain by Lori L. Tharps

Don’t hesitate to reach out to UW Study Abroad if you experience racism, discrimination, or harassment while on your program.

The UW Study Abroad Office encourages all students who meet program eligibility requirements to study abroad. While you will work with DRS and your Program Director on your accommodations, think through how your disability may be perceived, challenged, or unexpected while abroad.

• The National Clearinghouse on Disability & Exchange, an arm of Mobility International USA is a great resource for students with disabilities who want to study abroad.
• Access Abroad at the University of Minnesota study abroad website has some great information for their students with disabilities.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website offers advice for travelers with disabilities including your rights when traveling by air, assistance and accommodations, service animals, and other useful links.

All accommodations for UW Study Abroad are required to be known and approved by UW Disability Resources for Students Office.

Do not attend any political demonstrations while abroad.

Protests have the potential to escalate and your participation as a foreigner may also be illegal. US students abroad have been arrested, detained, subjected to fines, and forcefully deported due to both real or perceived involvement in demonstrations.

Avoid areas of the city where a protest is scheduled to occur. If you come upon a protest, leave the area immediately. ISOS and Department of State alerts will help update you on demonstration activity, even if expected to pass peacefully.

Protests and demonstrations are listed as exclusions within your UW Study Abroad insurance; if you are injured as a result of a protest or demonstration, your medical care will not be covered under insurance. If you are detained, fined, or jailed, the U.S. embassy and UW will be limited in their ability to help you.

We believe in important causes and want you to remain engaged in the issues you care about. But your first amendment right to free speech is not protected while abroad. Find ways to show your support in other ways: volunteering, donating, or helping raise awareness when you return to the US.

The Halloween Stampede in Seoul in 2022 was one of the most public and devastating crowd crushes in recent history.

While we encourage you to avoid major gatherings, we understand that you may find yourself in crowded spaces while abroad. Best practices to avoid dangerous situations:

• Ensure venues or accommodations are safe and equipped: are there security measures in place?
• Understand evacuation routes: are evacuation plans posted?
• Avoid crowded areas that are poorly maintained, organized, or where exits may be blocked
• Always have an exit strategy in mind

You may need to exit because you need medical attention, a crowd closes in, or things get uncomfortable. Take steps to remove yourself if things begin to feel unsafe.

If caught in a crowd crush:

• Assume a “boxer” position, with your arms up in front of your chest and your feet separated
• Keep your legs and your knees flexible; let yourself move with the crowd
• Overcrowding will start to move like water; you will feel like you’re not in control of your movements. Don’t resist it!
• Keeping your arms strong in front of your chest can help protect and create space for your internal organs and lungs
• Asphyxiation is the number one cause of death in crowd crushes; give yourself as much space as possible to breathe
• Don’t try to scream; instead, tilt your head back and try and breathe above the crowd
• Don’t panic
• Take long, slow deep breaths
• Do not, under any circumstances, reach down; if your phone, wallet, or purse fall, leave them
• If you do fall, turn onto your side and protect your organs with your arms
• Watch for points of exit
• If you see the edge of a crowd, move diagonally towards the exit just like you would in an ocean rip current

Something that seems like a fun addition to your study abroad can create a devastating experience if you don’t take steps to mitigate your risks. If you think you’re going to be in a crowded situation, we encourage you to read the following materials:

How to stay safe during a crowded event

What to do if your trapped in a surging crowd

Drowning is the number one cause of death for Americans abroad in countries with water activities. Drowning accounts for more than half of reported deaths for travelers under the age of 25.

Before jumping in, help prevent an emergency situation by taking the following precautions:

• Be aware of signage; if you can’t read it, have someone translate
• If signs say not to swim, flags are up, or there are rules around being in the water, we expect you to adhere to all signage
• Do your research: what are people saying about the location online? Is there wildlife that people warn about?
• Watch the locals: if you’re the only person on the beach or in the water, there’s likely a reason and you should not swim
• Make sure people know where you are
• Don’t swim alone
• Do not go in or near water if you have consumed any alcohol

Feel for rip currents before jumping into open waters:

• Stand so that the water comes up to about half of your calf. If you feel a sort of pull from the water, it’s likely there’s a rip tide or current
• If you can see the water from above or a distance, watch for points (likes peaks and valleys) on the sand where the water recedes
• If you feel or know there is a rip current, don’t get in the water
• If you get caught in a rip current,  know what to do:
  • Don’t panic
  • Control your breathing
  • Don’t paddle hard or immediately to shore
  • Swim along the shoreline, parallel to land
  • When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle towards shore
  • Without screaming or losing your breath, signal to anyone nearby that you need assistance