Dear Students, 

I want to congratulate you on your decision to study abroad. Study abroad will enhance your life by opening new worlds and introducing you to new friends. Although there is much to be gained from a study abroad experience, there is nothing gained without risk. The current international situation is unpredictable and fluid. Every country, including the United States, is vulnerable to terrorism, natural disasters, or civil unrest. Situations can change quickly, and the quality of infrastructures varies from country to country.

Because of this uncertainly, I want to clarify some areas of responsibility in planning and realizing your dream of study abroad. I urge you to keep informed. As you may know, important information is available at the following website: http://www.travel.state.gov. The State Department also issues general warnings periodically. Please check this website and the consular warnings frequently.

Intelligent informed choices will aid you in your success abroad. Converse cannot monitor your choices, which will range from personal decisions to choices that will change your life. We all realize that you are in charge of your own welfare, but please keep the following principles in mind when you make decisions. Remember that you will be living in a foreign country where different cultural values and norms apply. You cannot expect the same reactions to your activities. As a woman, you will sometimes encounter more harassment than in the United States, and your normal sociability could be misconstrued as a sexual overture in some cultures. When in doubt, conservative behavior and dress are the best policy. In the event you break local laws, U.S. legal standards will not apply to you. Please consult the U.S. Department of State's website for travellers http://www.travel.state.gov for additional information about traveling overseas.

Responsibilities of Participants

In study abroad, as in other settings, participants can have a major impact on their own health and safety through the decisions they make before and during their program and by their day-to-day choices and behaviors.

Participants should:

A. Assume responsibility for all the elements necessary for their personal preparation for the program and participate fully in orientations.

B. Read and carefully consider all materials issued by the sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country(ies).

C. Conduct their own research on the country(ies) they plan to visit with particular emphasis on health and safety concerns, as well as the social, cultural, and political situations.

D. Consider their physical and mental health, and other personal circumstances, when applying for or accepting a place in a program, and make available to the sponsor accurate and complete physical and mental health information and any other personal data that is necessary in planning for a safe and healthy study abroad experience.

E. Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage and abide by any conditions imposed by the carriers.

F. Inform parents/guardians/families and any others who may need to know about their participation in the study abroad program.   Provide them with emergency contact information and keep them informed of their whereabouts and activities.

G. Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct, and emergency procedures of the program.

H. Be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Promptly express any health or safety concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals before and/or during the program.

I. Accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions.

J. Obey host-country laws.

K. Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well being of others, and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.

L. Avoid illegal drugs and excessive or irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

M. Follow the program policies for keeping program staff informed of their whereabouts and well being.

N. Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining emergency health and legal system services in the host county.

I'm sure that you know all of the above and plan to conduct yourselves according to these guidelines.

Sincerely yours,

Jeri DeBois King
Director, International Studies

580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302
  email: admissions@converse.edu 

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