Health & Safety
Program Safety
All of our locations are in places which are very safe and secure. The safety and security of Global PACT participants are paramount. Classroom and residential facilities are either located on campus at accredited universities or in clean and safe partner-approved hotels in the towns we work.
A Global PACT staff person will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the residential halls on chartered vans or public trams. You will meet all of the other students on the first night during a welcome reception.
Transportation is on widely used public transport or chartered buses. At all of our locations, as in your own hometown, you should take general precautions: don’t flaunt valuables on you and beware of pickpockets.
The petty and violent crime rates at our locations are no higher than in most other cities, but just like at home Global PACT participants, because you are new to the community, are advised to travel in groups, avoid high crime areas and not walk around late at night.
Although some program locations are less diverse than the campuses of major American universities, minority students need not take exceptional precaution. Some travelers may encounter anti-Americanism on rare occasion, but students can use their discretion to avoid and diffuse these situations. During excursions, you must stay with Global PACT staff people and the excursion site leaders. The conditions in all five countries have improved and are stable.
Global PACT ensures that all students are covered for emergency procedures and evacuation. Each program site has both hospitals and pharmacies, and all have airfields for medical evacuation in case of extreme emergency. If you become sick or injured, we will contact the person designated on your emergency contact information provided to us through your acceptance package. A Global PACT staff person will always carry an emergency cell phone on the ground.
Your Health
When you are admitted to one of our programs, we will provide you with detailed information, instructions regarding personal health and safety resources.
In all locations we are within a short distance of English-speaking clinics and hospitals with good medical services.
However, it's a great idea to become more educated and take charge of your personal health issues while on the program.
Do some research
In addition to the materials we provide, gather information about your destination and any special health issues there prior to your departure. Everyone's health profile is different, so take the time to determine what additional vaccinations you might need, if any, before you travel. One useful starting point is http://www.cdc.gov.
Visit A Travel Health Clinic
Have a physical examination and inform your physician of your plans to travel abroad. Many Universities and metropolitan areas, especially near major airports, have travel health clinics that specialize in shots for travel abroad.
Discuss any prescriptions you might continue taking while abroad and make sure to have sufficient medications for the duration of the program. Receive the appropriate vaccinations if needed, and review any specific individual medical needs. If you plan to be sexually active while abroad, you will also want to discuss this with your doctor.
