Health & Safety

Your health and safety are our top priorities. We are committed to providing you with the resources and information you need to have a safe and healthy study abroad experience.

Health

• • • Vaccinations: Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your vaccinations, including those for diseases that are common in the country you will be visiting. You can get a list of recommended vaccinations from your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    • Travel Insurance: It is important to have travel insurance in case you get sick or injured while studying abroad. Travel insurance will cover the cost of medical care, travel delays, and lost luggage.

    • Health Care: In some countries, the quality of health care is not as good as it is in the United States. If you have a chronic health condition, make sure you have a plan in place for how you will get the care you need while you are studying abroad.

    • Mental H​ealth: Studying abroad can be a stressful experience. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.

 

 

Safety

• • • Be aware of your surroundings: When you are traveling, be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to stay safe. This includes avoiding walking alone at night, keeping your belongings close to you, and being aware of scams and other potential dangers.

    • Report any suspicious activity: If you see anything that looks suspicious, report it to the police or your program advisor.

    • Be aware of the local laws: Each country has its own laws and customs. It is important to be aware of the laws in the country you are visiting and to obey them.

    • Stay in touch with your program faculty lead/advisor: Your program faculty lead/advisor can provide you with support and guidance while you are studying abroad. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact your program faculty lead/advisor.

 

COVID-19

RCCD encourages everyone to follow recommendations from their physicians and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials for prevention, risk reduction and actions after exposure.

RCCD strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, as vaccines are recommended as a proven way to prevent t​he threat of critical illness. RCCD recommends students self-test before leaving home for study abroad. If you feel ill on-site, please remain in your room and test to determine your health status. Contact your faculty leads/program advisor if you test positive. 

Resources

U.S. Department of State Country Information information and travel advisories for every country in the world.

U.S. Department of State Students Abroad useful, easy-to-access information specifically for students studying abroad.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pre-departure travel advice, vaccine, and health information for students traveling abroad.

World Health Organization travel & health advice

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance & Resources COVID-19 guidance and resources.

AlertTraveler country and city resources and real-time safety and security alerts.

Overseas Security Advisory Council global security news and reports.

Local news and media sources - ​identify local news outlets to learn about your host country.​​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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