Summer School Abroad Security

Safety and Security for Summer School Abroad Programs at UNC-Chapel Hill

We wish to reaffirm the principles and policies that embody our commitment to do everything we can to assure the safety and security of our students abroad.

We seldom operate any Summer School Abroad programs in any location for which the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning.  It is our policy to terminate students' participation in an abroad program and require them to return home only in the event of extreme political disturbance, natural disaster, or outbreak of infectious disease, and when the U.S. State Department, the local U.S. Embassy or the on-site staff contact recommends such action. State Department travel warnings may be accessed online.

In other circumstances, the decision whether to continue in a Summer School Abroad program is one best made by the student and his/her family. Students have always had the option to withdraw from such a program for any reason, including security concerns. For any such withdrawal, there are implications for refunds, credit, grades, and what appears on the permanent transcript. To make responsible decisions, any student or parents with questions about a particular matter including the consideration of a drop or withdrawal should consult with the relevant program director or instructor.

If program directors determine that a local situation has become unsafe, then we will advise our students to return to the U.S. or to another safer place in the region. In such a situation, University and on-site staff will advise about arrangements for travel and for alternatives to complete the academic component of the programs.

All of our Summer School Abroad programs provide an orientation for participating students, including safety guidelines for personal behavior to reduce the risk of harm when traveling in other countries. The guidelines reflect the latest advice provided by the U.S. State Department and by responsible study abroad providers. We ask parents of students going abroad to reinforce with them the importance of adhering to such safety guidelines at all times.