Caring for Your Health Abroad
At Syracuse Abroad, the health, wellness, and safety of our students are our highest priorities. Our pre-departure and onsite orientation sessions include extensive health and safety information to help students maintain their health and well-being throughout their term of study. Our Student Services team is dedicated to supporting students and their families, in the event that they have to manage medical or psychological crises, life traumas, and other concerns or barriers that impede their success while studying abroad. Please also review the Preparing to Go page for additional information.
In order to be prepared for your travels, we want to remind you to ensure that your medication plans are set, and immunizations and vaccinations are up to date. If you have any general health inquiries as you prepare for your semester abroad, you may always contact Syracuse Health Services at (315) 443-9005. If it is after hours, you may speak to the on-call provider by calling that same number.
Prior to departing, we strongly encourage you to schedule a pre-trip consultation with your physician. This is your opportunity to discuss any questions you may have that pertain to your personal medical situation in accordance with the location(s) you are traveling to.
Syracuse Community Abroad
Syracuse University prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnic or national origin, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender.
Any complaint of discrimination or harassment related to any of these protected bases should be reported to the University’s Chief Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services Office, by the Syracuse Abroad Assistant Director, Student Services. The Chief Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services Office is responsible for coordinating compliance efforts under the various laws including Titles VI, IX and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Contact information for Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services: 005 Steele Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1520; e-eoirs@syr.edu; telephone: 315-443-4018.
If you feel threatened in any way, contact local staff in the Student Life office. Alternatively, you can reach out to your professors, host parents, and other University staff if you feel comfortable. They will alert the Student Support staff, who will work to provide you with resources to assist.
Safety Policies and Procedures
The safety and well-being of our students is the top priority of Syracuse University. Below you’ll find a very brief outline of our safety procedures. Each page in this section delves into in-depth information on topics such as immunizations, insurance, medical care, and mental health services, among others. We invite you to take time and read through the information on these vitally important topics.
Emergency staff: Syracuse Abroad staff members in Syracuse and at each of our centers abroad constantly monitor world events via up-to-the-minute bulletins from various sources, including the U.S. State Department, our international safety partner International S.O.S, and various media outlets.
In addition, Syracuse Abroad staff members in Syracuse and abroad are available by phone after hours to deal with health and safety emergencies by calling the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety: (315) 443-2224.
Action plans: Syracuse Abroad has an experienced task force ready to deal with emergencies, and an emergency procedures manual complete with action plans for crisis situations (including evacuation). Individual centers have action plans as well. For security purposes these plans must be kept confidential, and therefore cannot be shared with individual students or parents.
On-site monitoring: Center directors are in regular communication with local police, the U.S. consulate or embassy, other study abroad program directors in their host city, International S.O.S., and other sources.
Building security: Access to Syracuse Abroad’s academic/administrative buildings abroad is provided only to students, faculty, staff, and invited guests. Entrance to buildings is made with electronic key card, keypunch pad, or after visual screening by a staff member.
Pre-departure advising: As part of pre-departure and arrival orientation, all students are given detailed information on safety and security matters. Students are provided with emergency phone numbers and safety practices to follow. These include staying informed, keeping a low profile, exercising caution in public places, etc. Notices are routinely provided through announcements on bulletin boards, email, announcements in class, and periodic information meetings. Depending on the severity of the threat, students may also be contacted by phone and advised what measures to take.
More specific guidelines, including the individual responsibilities of Syracuse Abroad, program participants, and parents/guardians are available here.