Health & Safety

Parents and Guardians,

In light of current world events, the Office of International Education’s mission of educating students to be informed, perceptive, reflective world citizens has become even more important. The health and safety of students while they are participating in off-campus study programs have also become the focus of increased attention and concern. I am writing to inform you of the preparations that have been made by the Office of International Education and members of the Bucknell community to monitor the safety and well being of our students.

For the Bucknell in España, Bucknell en France, Bucknell in Barbados and Bucknell in London programs, a special version of the Bucknell University Emergency Response Manual has been distributed to, and reviewed by, the faculty directors. The faculty directors are prepared to handle multiple crisis situations such as illness, injury and crime, and natural and political disasters. For students attending other off-campus programs, the Office of International Education continues to work with a carefully selected group of experienced program providers. These providers have on-site personnel that are trained in emergency protocols, and we have 24 hour contact information for both their US-based and overseas staff. Finally, in conjunction with the Office of International Education, an on-campus crisis management committee here at Bucknell monitors the health and safety aspects of programs and countries on an ongoing basis.

We have also taken steps to educate your sons and daughters about health and safety overseas through pre-departure orientation discussions and reference materials. The orientation materials included Department of State Publications such as A Safe Trip Abroad and information regarding Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings as found on the State Department website. State Department travel warnings are an important source of information when assessing the health conditions in, and safety of, our programs and their locations. We hope that with this information our students will, in part, take responsibility for their own safety and well being. We encourage you to browse this website as well as the Centers for Disease Control website for up-to-date health information.

Students have also been asked to adhere to their program guidelines both on site and when traveling independently. These guidelines include recommendations for appropriate behavior and dress as well as advice regarding safe local and off-site travel. For travel off site, each program director normally requests an itinerary and contact information from the students. While students are often displeased by this request, it is a mechanism through which we can be aware of their whereabouts, should we need to contact them on short notice. Finally, before leaving campus, Bucknell students were invited to develop an alternate on-campus study program for the upcoming semester. This process can be implemented should they decide not to study off-campus, or should their program be suspended prior to departure.

We are deeply committed to insuring, to the fullest extent possible, that your sons and daughters have a rewarding off-campus experience. As international education becomes an increasingly vital part of university-level education, we will do everything we can to make your sons’ and daughters’ overseas experiences safe and profoundly beneficial. If at any time you have concerns or questions, feel free to contact us at (570) 577-3796. In the event of an emergency, we may also be reached after hours through the Department of Public Safety at (570) 577-3333.

Yours truly,

The Office of International Education Staff