International Travel Tips

To All TAMU Students Traveling Abroad: 

After assessing a variety of US government, security, foreign and news resources, and as we monitor the current situation overseas, please be advised that that students traveling abroad should follow the safety precautions issued by the US Department of State and foreign country officials in addition to the information already provided by trip sponsors, coordinators, etc.

• Consider maintaining a low profile such as not wearing clothing that identifies you as a U.S. Citizen or a student of Texas A&M University
• Avoid protests involving international concerns
• In addition, due to continued peace demonstrations around the world, reconsider travel to major metropolitan areas, as well as establishments where US citizens traditionally gather or are associated with, such as McDonald's, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, etc.

If your program sponsor/coordinators have not already planned on this it is prudent to look for alternate options regarding touring/ trip plans in case certain locations appear to be more prone to demonstrations or are deemed a security risk at the time you are scheduled to travel to that location.

Depending what program you are traveling with (if it is a TAMU sponsored activity), other security measures will be enacted as appropriate to the location and situation. For example, additional security and patrols have been added to the Texas A&M Santa Chiara Study Center in Italy and an evacuation plan is in place in the unlikely event that it is necessary to relocate students.  For more information about this, please access the Study Abroad website at http://studyabroad.tamu.edu.

Texas A&M has created a special hotlink on the University homepage http://www.tamu.edu to share emergency preparedness information.  International information is featured on this website as well.

As a reminder, students traveling abroad may always contact the Study Abroad Programs Office at 979-845-0544 for any questions or concerns you have during regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00A.M.-5:00P.M. Central U.S. Time).

Students and faculty outside the US may also activate the University's Critical Incident Response Team by contacting the University Police Dispatch at 001-979-845-2345.

The information above was adapted from a document sent to Study Abroad participants by Ms. Suzanne Droleskey, Executive Director, International Programs for Students. For more information contact Study Abroad at 979-845-0544.