Crisis & Emergencies
Staying Safe Abroad
While no one can guarantee your health and safety or prevent all risks from your study abroad experience, there are steps you can take before and during your travel abroad to educate and prepare yourself so that you are more likely to have a safe and healthy experience overseas. Check out this brochure on Crime Victim Assistance from the U.S. Department of State.
Follow these safety tips while abroad:
- Always be alert and conscious of your behavior. Be discrete and conservative in your actions, dress, conversations, and with personal possessions and electronics.
- Remember that safety in numbers is a good idea wherever you are. Always travel in pairs or small groups for personal or weekend travel. Do not walk alone at night. If you go out with friends, return with friends.
- Avoid environments that increase your risk, including demonstrations, protests, or other potentially volatile situations.
- Be smart with money. Keep your money and credit/ATM cards in a secure location, only carrying as much cash as needed on a daily basis. When using ATM machines, be aware of your surroundings and preference ATM machines located inside buildings if possible.
- Arrange for airport pick-up ahead of time or inform yourself about the public transportation options. If you plan to take a taxi, find the official airport taxi stand rather than accepting help from people waiting around the airport exit.
- Do not impair your judgment through excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs.
- Never rent or drive a vehicle or motorbike while abroad.
- When traveling, leave an itinerary with your resident director, host family, roommate, or employer so someone knows where you are and how to contact you.
- Communicate often. Develop a communication plan with your family so that they know how to reach you, whether it’s an emergency or just to check in.
- Keep abreast of local news. Read local newspapers and magazines and speak with locals to learn about any potential civil unrest.
Laws, medical services, and cultural norms surrounding issues of interpersonal violence can be extremely different depending on where you are in the world. Before you travel, familiarize yourself with your host culture's attitudes towards gender roles, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, and religion.
If you or someone you know experiences sexual violence, relationship violence, or stalking while traveling abroad, the following resources can provide support and emergency assistance. They can also help you assess any safety concerns if you are considering whether or not to contact local authorities.
TAMU-CC Resources
- TAMU-CC University Police
- 24-Hour Emergency: (361) 825-4444
- Non-Emergency: (361) 825-4242
- Fax: (361) 825-6063
- Cultural Insurance Systems International (CISI)
- In the U.S., call (800) 872-1414
- Worldwide, call COLLECT +1 (609) 986-1234
- Or email, medservices@assistamerica.com
- University Health Center
Sandpiper Building
361-825-2601
For more information, please visit: TAMUCC UHC - Title IX Office
- TAMU-CC Title IX Reporting Information & Resources
-
Title IX Coordinator is:
Dr. Rosie Ruiz, Associate Director, Employee Development & Compliance Services
(361) 825-5826, Corpus Christi Hall (CCH) 130Deputy Title IX Coordinator is:
Kristie Diaz - Employee Development & Compliance Services Coordinator
(361) 825-5826, Corpus Christi Hall (CCH) 130
U.S. Government Resources
- Embassy or Consulate
- U.S. Consular Assistance to U.S. Victims of Crime
- State Department Emergency Numbers:
You can call the State Department’s emergency numbers from the U.S. & Canada 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas +1 202-501-4444.
International Resources & Support Services
- Pathways to Safety International: Phone, email or live chat with staff in the Crisis Center. Pathways to Safety International Provides sexual assault prevention and response regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or location worldwide.
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): Toll-free 24/7 hotline for sexual assault counseling and referrals: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also offers a hotline that provides live, secure, anonymous crisis support for victims of sexual violence, their friends and families over RAINN’s website. The online hotline is free of charge and available 24/7.
- U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women: Information about local sexual assault victim assistance coalitions.
Support at Home
Sometimes, students don’t want to talk about an experience with sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking abroad until they return to campus. In this case, know that TAMU-CC's Care and Assistance Services are available to you, including the Crisis Intervention and other Resources.
Although being culturally sensitive and respectful is an important part of your experience abroad, it is not necessary for you to accept behavior that invades your personal boundaries or makes you feel unsafe. Trust your instincts. Use body language, facial expressions, and a firm voice to fend off unwanted attention. Avoid eye contact, which can be seen as an invitation in certain cultures. Carry emergency contact information with you always. Having a conversation with locals about gender roles and ways to avoid unwanted attention can be helpful in managing these situations.
If drinking, drink responsibly and avoid drugs. In many countries of the world, the legal drinking age is lower than in the U.S. However, while you may be able to drink legally abroad, it is important for you to use good judgement.
Remember, most likely, drugs are illegal in your host country, and in some cases, the penalty for drug crimes can be more severe than in the U.S. The U.S. Department of State outlines recommendations to help keep you safe when confronted with alcohol and drugs overseas.
Remember, you’re still a TAMU-CC student while abroad, so represent yourself and your university well. All of the University's Codes of Conduct still apply to you. Violations of TAMU-CC's conduct policies while abroad can be reported to the university and investigated for violations.
- Immediately seek a safe environment
- Contact your program director, faculty leader, or on-site staff for the most immediate assistance.
- Contact Cultural Insurance Systems International (CISI)
- In the U.S., call (800) 872-1414
- Worldwide, call COLLECT +1 (609) 986-1234
- Or email, medservices@assistamerica.com
- If appropriate, contact local authorities
- Contact TAMU-CC University Police
- 24-Hour Emergency: (361) 825-4444
- Non-Emergency: (361) 825-4242
- Fax: (361) 825-6063
- Inform family members