1. Pre-departure workshop for Go parents
Christina Thompson
Director of GO Programs
Co-Director: GO Cyprus (GO Short program)
Molly Roe
Faculty Led Program Manager
Co-Director: Peace, Youth and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland (GO Short program)

2. Agenda Expectations Preparation/Logistics Health and Safety Questions
Emergency Responses
Consular Information
Questions

3. Expectations GO Program Student Facilitate process
Provide pre-departure workshops and resources
Monitor risk management and state department websites
Complete paperwork and applications
For GO/SU and partner university
Follow instructions and information from orientations
Attend pre-departure course and additional workshops
Have passport and proper visas
Check/monitor SU and Apply-to-GO application
Share information with parents/family
Part of the GO requirement includes a prep course and pre-departure meetings during which the students will receive important information. These meetings are generally with other students going abroad/away. Workshops for GO Long/GYOW – Budgeting/Travel and Packing/Stress Management. GO Short prep course has elements of these included in the course
Students MUST have a valid passport, and if needed, a visa for their time away. Note that after January 22, 2018 certain drivers licenses’ will no longer be accepted for air travel. We recommend students work with their study away partner for visa advice. Visas needs and regulations vary by country and program.
Students should be able to ask questions AND problem solve when they are completing the GO process!

4. Student Pre-departure Responsibilities
Know before you go!
Learn about all health & safety issues for the destination(s).
Study the cultural and political climates.
Follow directions and advice of the GO Program, Host Study Abroad Program, Host University, and/or program directors.
Communicate with the GO Program, Host Study Abroad Program, Host University, and/or program directors regarding issues related to student health.
Know before you go!
Students should spend some time researching their host country. There are a lot of resources to do that, including guidebooks, the local host country news, the US state department website
Learn about all health & safety issues within your destinations and study the cultural and political climates:
To learn more about the health and safety concerns in your host country:
US State department website:
World Fact book available on the CIA’s website:
Follow directions and advice GO Program, Host Study Abroad Program, Host University, and/or program directors.
Communicate with the GO Program, Host Study Abroad Program Provider, Host University, and/or program directors regarding issues related to student health.

5. Student Pre-departure Responsibilities, cont.
Make copies of all important travel (passports), bank/cards, contact information, etc.
Prepare and review his/her personal budget.
Your student is required to register with his/her embassy abroad using the US State Department’s Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) program.
Students are told to have copies of the following with them in a secure location separate from the originals:
Passport – This is the MOST IMPORTANT document your student will have with them! A person without a Passport is a person without a country!
Insurance Card
Flight Information
Contact information for bank/credit card (Inform their bank that they will be out of the country!!)
Additionally, it is a good idea for your student to leave copies of the following with their primary emergency contact in the U.S.:
Identification documents (Driver’s License, Passport, etc.)
Insurance Contacts
Medical Information
Contact info while abroad & contact information for bank/credit card
Prepare and review your student’s personal budget. All estimated budget sheet information is available on our website: go.susqu.edu. Simply, click on “programs” in the left corner. Here you can search by program name or click ‘list all’ for all of our program options. When you click on a program, it will take you to an ‘online brochure’ with program information and budget sheets.
Your student is required to register with the US State Department while abroad using the STEP (Smart Travelers Enrollment Program) . To complete this process, your student will need their passport and travel plans handy. (*GO Short students are registered by the program directors)

6. Money Matters GO Short GO Long, GYOW Applies to all
Fee is inclusive (need some for personal spending)
GO Long, GYOW
Budget with your student
Applies to all
Exchange rates:
ATM
Bank fees
PIN/Chip Credit Cards
Budget
Plan a budget with your student so that there aren’t questions or surprises with how much they are spending
Exchange rates
Get current exchange rates online – remember banks (local and international) have their own rates
ATM
Local ATMs to get local currencies
Bank fees
Shop around for a credit or debit card. Some banks reimburse fees (PSCEU for example)
PIN/Chip Credit Cards
Certain countries require pin and chip credit cards for increased security measures (Europe is heavy with this system)
Billing – GO Short/GO Long on SU bill (GYOW mix).

7. Communication Phone Email Students should be in contact with:
Program Providers
Program Directors/GO Program
Family
Friends
Cell-phones abroad
Short programs – current plan add international plan
Longer programs - purchase a local Sim card, and Pay-as you go,
Land line number for local housing
Wi-Fi and apps
Social Media Apps→ Student can use a number of social media apps (often free) to stay in contact with family or friends. Some of the popular apps abroad are Tango, Viber, Skype, Snap Chat, Facebook, WhatsApp, Marco Polo, Line, Hangout, and tons more.
student should check their SU and local often
In contact with GO Program via .
Contact with Family (students are asked to be in contact to let family know their ok)
Students should know, have access to, and share with you their emergency numbers

8. Top considerations when travelling
Pre-departure planning
Safety starts with your student
Know what to do in an emergency
Pre-departure Planning:
Pre-departure is the most important step in this process. Students have been given important information prior to departure. Set up a time to meet with your student to go over health and safety information to ensure you are in the loop.
Safety Starts with You
It’s important for your student to stay informed and follow instructions, which were provided during the required health and safety training
Make decisions that keep their safety and health as a top priority.
Know what to do in an Emergency:
During this presentation, we will review steps students should take before and during their program to stay safe and keep us informed.

9. Important Health & Safety Issues
Personal health
Health Insurance
Alcohol & drugs
Transportation
Crime, violence, sexual harassment & assault
Terrorism and political unrest
Emergency response
High risk activities
Knowledge of local safety issues
Personal health – It’s a good idea to have your student complete a physical before departure – consult your doctor (and CDC) for any vaccines needed for travel.
Share with the GO Program and your program host any health concerns and/or accommodations needed for your time away EARLY
Students should bring a doctor’s note explaining any prescription medications needed for their time away. It’s also important that students take enough medication (in the original container) for their ENTIRE stay, not just a few weeks.
Students should bring enough of their prescription medication for the duration of their program in original bottles with the prescription (translated into the local language, if possible) in their carry on luggage.
Some prescription medications available in the U.S. are illegal in other countries, including common medications for the treatment of ADHD and anxiety/depression. Check the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheets for the country(s) you intend to visit or consult your international health insurance company. If your medication is legal, ask your health-care provider to write a letter on office stationery stating the medication has been prescribed for you and for what purpose. If it is not legal, you should work with your health-care provider to prescribe an alternative, legal medication several months prior to departure.
Health Insurance GO Long/GYOW should check with their health insurance provider to learn of the extent of coverage abroad. Many study abroad program providers automatically enroll students into their insurance plan which covers them while abroad. If your student is not covered by domestic health insurance during their time abroad and it is not included in their program, they must alert the GO Program. We will enroll them in GeoBlue, which specializes in health insurance for students abroad. The fee is approx. $256 per semester. 
For all international GO programs, EIIA emergency insurance automatically provided for all students.
Alcohol & drugs – While the drinking age in many countries varies from the USA, students are asked to limit their intake of alcohol and to not engage in drugs. Excessive drinking is a recipe for trouble and can lead the student to become a victim of:
Violence
Accidents
Injury
Arrest
Disciplinary action
Removal from program
Other consequences
Transportation – Always take valid and professional transportation services. The on-site program director or program provider will provide students with reliable transportation information during orientation after arrival. Avoid renting cars as students are not usually knowledgeable of local driving laws.
Crime, violence, sexual harassment & assault – Students are advised to avoid traveling alone. Student should travel in pairs and always inform someone (roommate, friend on site) of where they are going. Any incidents regarding crime, violent, sexual harassment and/or assault should be reported to their host program provider and the GO Program right away. If students find themselves in an emergency situation, they should be aware of the emergency number of their host country. This information can be found on the US State department website or if not listed, students should contact their program provider or the GO Program for assistance:
Terrorism and political unrest – Terrorism & political unrest may occur anywhere.
Keep a low profile.
Pay attention to local news reports on current conditions.
Limit wearing clothing identifying you as an American citizen or US college student.
Emergency response – Students should review the fire safety of their host housing, know the location of the local police station, nearest US embassy and follow other instructions by their program provider.
High risk activities – Students should avoid high risk activities (as they are usually not covered by insurance) e.g.. Cliff diving, sky diving etc. → SU liability insurance DOES NOT cover high risk activity. 
Liability laws vary by location
Consult your program before engaging in risky activities.
Examples of high risk activities (as defined by EIIA): skydiving/parachuting; hang gliding; bungee jumping; mountain climbing; pot-holing; ziplining; motorcycle riding; and scuba diving
Knowledge of local safety issues – Again, students should watch the local news and newspapers, register with US State Department’s Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) and have general knowledge of local safety issues. All of our study abroad programs have on-site orientations for our students upon arrival. On-site orientation will review important information for enrollment, culture and safety.

10. SU’s Emergency Response
Program directors are trained by experienced GO Program Staff to handle emergencies through scenario-based exercises.
Each GO Short program has an on-site emergency plan, which is shared with students.
All GO Long and GYOW are required to attend a health and safety workshop led by experienced GO Program Staff.
GO Program partners all have their own emergency plans and share this with the students during orientation.
In the event of an emergency or disaster, Susquehanna monitors and receives alerts of issues -- domestic and abroad.
All SU students are required to attend a health and safety training before departure.  Professional staff with prior experience in risk management lead the Health and Safety trainings.  Participants obtain important information needed to identify health and safety risks, and communicate these to the appropriate persons, when needed. Participants also will create a framework for emergency response, situational awareness, and communication.
GO Short emergency plans are shared with the students, which we encourage them to share with you.
In the event of an emergency or disaster, Susquehanna monitors and receives notifications from our risk management insurance provider in real time of issues domestically and abroad.
All SU students are enrolled in an emergency-only insurance (EIIA) at no cost.

11. Student Emergency Responsibilities
Be registered with S.T.E.P to receive US State Department alerts for US citizens
Know local emergency numbers
Know host emergency plan
Side Trips registration with GO Program
Side trips form is on their Apply-to-GO application
Check in via with in case of a regional health or safety incident
Students must follow directions of on-site host university/provider or program director during trip
Students are asked to follow the specific steps while they are on their GO program:
All SU students are required to register with the U.S. State Department's S.T.E.P (Smart Travelers Enrollment Program) before departure and for each side trip during their time away, so that regular updates regarding safety and health abroad can be sent to them directly.
Know local emergency numbers
During orientation, host universities/partners or Program Directors will provide student’s with emergency contact information
What is the local equivalent to 911?
What is the host university after hours number? – GO Long
What is the Program Directors contact information? – GO Short
Know host emergency plan
Fire safety
Emergency meeting point
Nearest police station
Nearest local hospital
Nearest US embassy
Side Trips registration with GO Program
SU students are required to alert the GO program and their program provider of all regional travel plans during their GO program (side-trips) BEFORE departure by logging back into their APPLY TO GO (go.susqu.edu) application and completing the side-trips form. If students are unable to access the form, they should send an to with their side trip location, dates, transportation, accommodation and contact number.
As noted during the health and safety training, when there is a safety or health incident in a student's regional area, country or city, they are required to check in with their host university and the GO Program by to let us know that they are safe. 
Students must follow directions of on-site host university/provider or program director during trip

12. U.S. Consular Services Visa Services Passport Services
Overseas Citizens Services
Safety & Security Information
Assist U.S. Abroad
Know Before You Go!
Country Specific Information (CSI)
Security Emergency Messages
Travel Alerts & Warnings
Fact Sheets
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (S.T.E.P.)
The US Consular General Services. You can find a list of all countries with theses services at the following link:

13. U.S. Consular Emergency Assistance
Emergency passport issuance
Arrests
Medical emergencies
Crisis response

14. Emergency Contacts
GO Long/GYOW: On-site coordinator at host university/program
Your student should share this information with you
GO Short: Program Directors/GO Program
Emergency Only: SU Public Safety:
Non-emergency:
From within United States (Dept. of State),
From overseas (Dept. of State),
Online: travel.state.gov
Online: usembassy.gov
Facebook: facebook.com/TravelGov
Note important numbers for health and safety!
GO Program encourages you to set up a specific time with your student to discuss their GO Program, in particular health and safety information. Students receive the most updated information from Program Directors and Host partners.
GO Long/GYOW. Students may not have all contact info for their program until they arrive but will receive details in orientation. Please check in with your student for this after they arrive, too.
GO Short. SU Public Safety should only be used for emergencies. All other GO related questions or concerns should be directed to the GO Program

15. Questions? Contact Us: For information on our team, visit our website.
us:
NON EMERGENCY USE
Call our office:
Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM
For information on our team, visit our website.
Our primary responsibility is to get your student ready and we work closely with the students and our host partners, however we are available to answer general questions.