For Students Currently Abroad

  • Communications

    In the event of an emergency while abroad, the best plan is to contact your local program director or other support staff. They are in the best position to assist you with the problem or crisis and will contact your family and the Office of Study Abroad and International Programs as needed.

    If you must reach Office of Study Abroad and International Programs staff in an emergency during business hours call our office in Claremont, California at 909.621.8104. For emergencies after hours, contact Campus Safety at 909.607.2000 or 909-621-8170 and the Campus Safety staff will locate a Study Abroad staff member.

    For non-urgent matters, you may email directly to a specific staff member; however, it is always a good idea to also copy the message to [email protected]. Messages sent to this address are copied to several people in the office and can be easily directed to the person who can best handle your request. Members of the Office of Study Abroad and International Programs staff may be out of the office due to work-related travel, illness or vacation, so using the office email address will prevent your message from going unread while an individual staff member is out of the office.

    Keep your contact information current (including physical and mailing addresses and mobile number if appropriate) while abroad so that we may reach you promptly in the event of an emergency at home or abroad. Most communication is via email so be sure to check your official school email account before, during and after study abroad. Upload your study abroad contact information updates to your study abroad portal or email [email protected].

  • Health and Safety Reminders

    You obtained the recommended immunizations for your program before your departure, but that does not end your responsibility for your health and safety abroad. We want to remind you to pay attention to the health and safety instructions provided by the study abroad or international programs staff during your orientation abroad and the guidelines in the Orientation Handbook provided by the Office of Study Abroad and International Programs. You must be more alert to issues of safety while abroad because you are in an unfamiliar culture and behaviors that are relatively safe in your home community in the US can take on increased risk while abroad since you may not understand their implications in your new culture.

    You may be of legal drinking age in the host culture and a glass of wine at a meal with your host family may be appropriate; however, you cannot be alert to your own safety if your judgment is impaired by alcohol. Illegal drug use risks severe punishment and prison in most countries. Unprotected sex is a gamble that puts your life and future health in jeopardy. While you are abroad, you are advised to avoid excessive alcohol and any illegal drugs and to refrain from sexual relationships. Not only are these behaviors often culturally inappropriate and/or illegal, they put your health and safety at risk and are choices over which you do have control.

  • Senior Thesis Research While Abroad

    Some students want to develop research projects done abroad into the topic of their senior thesis. If you have become excited about a particular topic while abroad, contact your faculty adviser about information to gather while you are overseas that will enhance your senior thesis.

  • Planning for Your Return and Saying Goodbye

    Be sure to allow time to say a proper goodbye to the important people you befriended while abroad. You have spent a semester learning how to participate appropriately in your host culture and there may be customs and rituals expected in saying good bye that you don’t want to overlook and risk appearing rude to people who have become important to you.

    In the last hectic days of your semester you will be finishing up coursework, packing, buying souvenirs and trying to squeeze in all the things you meant to do while you were abroad. It is important to schedule time to say goodbye to your host family or roommates, your program staff, your teachers, and internship supervisors and especially the people you became close to in your time overseas. Be sure to gather phone numbers, email addresses and postal addresses so you can stay in touch after you leave.

    If you browse through the What’s up with Culture website, especially Module 2.1, “Preparing to Come Home before you return to the US,” you will ensure a better sense of closure for your experience abroad: www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/.