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Health & Safety Abroad

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With careful planning before you go, your study abroad or domestic study away should be a very enjoyable experience. If something unexpected should arise while you are away, feel free to call or fax the Global Education Office (tel. 617-253-0676; fax 617-452-2101) with questions, or email ( studyabroad@mit.edu) and we will do what we can to assist you.

While abroad please follow these important health and safety steps:

Emergency & Evacuation Plans

Upon arrival, make sure that you are familiar with the established emergency and evacuation plans and procedures for the university/other institution where you will be studying, for the dorm, homestay or other living arrangement that you have chosen and for the town/city where you will be living for the duration of your study abroad program.

Signing up with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Near You

In emergencies and crises, please use the U.S. Department of State resources, especially the U.S. Embassy and Consulate resources. Upon arrival, please sign up with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate near you so they know about your presence. This enables them to help you should something unexpected arise. To locate the U.S. Embassy/Consulate nearest to your location, use the U.S. Department of State resources: http://www.state.gov/

Global Awareness

Follow news about your study abroad location, as well as the national and world news. If you plan to travel to countries other than your primary study abroad location, we encourage you to research these destinations before your travel as well. For country information, visit the U.S. Department of State website (http://www.state.gov/). This website also contains current information on travel warnings, emergency services information, and U.S. embassy information.

Familiarize yourself with Health & Safety Web Resources

Women's Safety

For additional safety information for women abroad, please read notes prepared by one of the female students who studied abroad.

Medical Precautions

Make sure that you get a good medical check-up before you leave and take all necessary vaccines and/or medicines before your departure. It's always a good idea to put all of your medications in your carry-on luggage and keep a list of all medications that you are required to take, as well as any allergies that you might have.

Travel Alerts

Should a travel alert be issued for the country where you are on study abroad, the Global Education Office staff will gather information from local university staff, review the State Department documents, and Overseas Security Advisory Council briefings, and will confer with appropriate offices at MIT to decide on appropriate action. You will be notified of the warning and of MIT’s response, and you will be given guidance on steps to take.

Personal Safety

Do not place your valuables, important documents, or money in a suitcase. It's better to secure your passport and money in a neck pouch under your clothing, rather than in a fanny-pack that is visible outside of your clothing, which is a sign that you are from out of town. A key rule for travel is: "If you cannot afford to lose it, then it's better not to take it." It's far better to leave sentimental items at home rather than risk loss abroad.

Back up your documents

Make sure that someone who will not be traveling with you has access to a copy of all of your travel documents, including copies of your passport and any pertinent visa pages. It's also a good idea to share your travel itineraries with a trusted friend or relative, including hotel contact information. This should be done not only with the initial trip overseas but also to trips taken during the study abroad experience.