Health & Safety Abroad
- Emergency
- Signing up with the Embassy
- Global Awareness
- Health & Safety Web Resources
- Women's Safety
- Travel Alerts
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
- MIT Emergency website and MIT Travel Risk Policy web page (http://informit.mit.edu/emergency/ and http://informit.mit.edu/epr/3.1travel_risk.html respectively).
- U.S. Department of State website for travel warnings, advisories, and consular information sheets for your intended destination (http://travel.state.gov).
- U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on traveler’s health issues and the recommended vaccinations for travel to particular area/country (http://www.cdc.gov).
- World Health Organization website for information on disease outbreaks and emergencies (http://www.who.int/en/)
- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers website (http://www.iamat.org).
Women's Safety
For additional safety information for women abroad, please read notes prepared by one of the female students who studied abroad.
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.
