Safety While Attending Landmark College Study Abroad Programs

At Landmark College, we approach Study Abroad as one of the most rewarding experiences students can have during their college years. With extensive preparations, the goal of every college is to maintain their students' safety at home or abroad. In these uncertain times, we want to share with you information regarding the preparations we are taking to make Landmark College's Study Abroad programs as safe as they can possibly be.

One advantage of Landmark College Study Abroad programs is that each trip is staffed with experienced faculty members. Country Directors and accompanying faculty members are Landmark College faculty with extensive experience working with students with LD. Country Directors, who are primarily responsible for coordinating in-country logistics, have experience living and working in the host country. The Country Director and any accompanying faculty members are able to provide students with in-depth, personal support for student-life issues.

Communication plays an important role in the safety and effectiveness of our programs. Study Abroad faculty leaders provide regular updates to our staff in Putney, Vermont; and our staff regularly checks multiple sources of information that pertain to program safety, including various government and news media websites. We also encourage students to contact their parents as soon as they arrive in their host country, as well as at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the trip. Country Directors have cell phones to ensure they are accessible to students and the Study Abroad Office in crisis situations; and all students are issued laminated information cards with their flight information, itinerary, emergency phone numbers and the contact information of the places they will be staying. We realize that our students occasionally make recreation and weekend travel plans on their own. If so they are required to leave their itinerary and contact information of the place(s) they'll be staying with the Country Director. We also strongly recommend that they inform their families of any individual plans that are not a part of the group itinerary.

During the orientation meetings that take place in the weeks prior to departure, Country Directors carefully review such topics as local customs, health and travel tips, guidelines for appropriate behavior and dress, as well as laws and policies related to alcohol/drug use. They also provide participants with specific safety guidelines to follow, including who to contact in an emergency situation and the location of a pre-arranged meeting place if phone service is unavailable. The Study Abroad Office at Landmark College remains in regular contact with Country Directors throughout the duration of each trip, and serves as the primary contact for all information related to its programs.

Thoughtful planning, professional leadership and solid preparation go far in making each of our study abroad programs a safe and fun learning experience. Please be assured that we will continue to make safety the top priority in all of our Study Abroad programs.

The Landmark College Study Abroad Office