Program-Specific Risk Information

This program includes low-risk activities, such as walking, that may take place near higher-risk natural areas with fewer public safeguards or warnings than in the United States. There is a higher risk of injury to travelers who are not aware of their surroundings. For example, participants may hike near cliffs, crevasses, rivers, waterfalls, active volcanoes, hot geysers, or other natural areas that have minimal or no public barriers to prevent injury. Substantial risk or injury or death may be present if participants are unaware of their surroundings. Warning signs may be minimal or not present at all. Participants must remain alert, cautious, and aware of their surroundings at all times. They should also be aware that geologic phenomena, such as earthquakes or eruptions, can quickly and unexpectedly change, and that is unpreventable.

This program includes activities at high altitude (defined as higher than 8,000 feet above sea level). Rapid climbs to high altitudes may result in altitude sickness, so all participants should be aware of its symptoms before departure and should let their program director know immediately if they feel ill. It is important to note that some physical health conditions can become much worse at high altitudes, so all participants should consult their physicians before departure to ensure that it is safe for them to travel. More information about travel at high altitudes can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

This program requires biking as a form of transportation, which may result in a heightened risk of injury. Participants should always wear helmets, and they should ensure that their bikes are in good working order. Traffic patterns vary widely from country to country, so it is important that participants understand the traffic laws at their destination, especially as they relate to cyclists.

Hiking and/or camping includes additional risk of injury or death related to physical exertion, accidents, exposure to insects or animals, and exposure to the environment or weather. Weather and environmental conditions are unpredictable and can change quickly. Participants may be required to walk or hike over uneven, slippery or rocky terrain, which increases the risk of falls and accidents. Trails may not be clearly marked, and warning signs or barriers near dangerous areas may not be present. Participants must remain alert, cautious and aware of their surroundings at all times. Hiking may place participants at an elevated risk of physical injury, disease-carrying insects, and poisonous plants and animals.

Participants will be staying for one or more nights in non-traditional accommodations, such as tents, cabins or huts. These accommodations may not have traditional amenities like entirely enclosed rooms, close access to restrooms, air conditioning or heating, electricity, running water, cell phone reception or landline access, or traditional bedding. Although these accommodations are not inherently dangerous, they require additional flexibility from participants, and they may be less convenient or comfortable than a traditional hotel. In rural areas where the availability of cell phone reception or land lines is limited, emergency response may be delayed, which could place participants at an elevated risk.

This program includes extensive contact with horses or other livestock. Interactions with animals abroad result in an increased risk of injury or disease transmission. Programs involving contact with horses may require participants to visit farms or stables, which may or may not be inspected. Such visits may expose participants to slipping, falling or otherwise being injured in barns, stalls or on the grounds of farms, which can be slippery, muddy, wet or contain other hazards. Participants may experience allergic reactions to animals, hay or other allergens. Some programs may offer horseback riding, which is physically exerting and can result in bites, kicks, abrasions or contusions from the horse, and may result in participants being bucked from or falling off of a horse. Livestock may carry disease, so participants should be aware of exposure. Large equipment or machinery may also be present on farms.

If program participants work on farms in the United States, they should check with their employer about self-quarantine for a set period of time after return, as some farms are concerned about travelers transmitting pathogens across borders. It is the participant's responsibility to inquire about this with their employer.

This program requires interaction with or observation of wild animals. Such interaction may place participants at an increased risk of injury or disease transmission. Wild animals are unpredictable and can be dangerous, and participants should always maintain a safe distance from them. Animals may also carry disease, which can be transmitted through contact, bites or scratches. 

This program includes a laboratory component, which may include the use of laboratory equipment, chemicals, biological samples, and protective devices. The lab will adhere to the safety and control standards required at the site, which may differ from those at the University of Kentucky or in the United States. There is always a risk of injury associated with accidents in a lab. Lab work requires participants to properly prepare for, learn about and understand the use of equipment and to follow strict protocols for safety in the lab.

Participants will be staying in a remote area for a prolonged period of time. There may be limited or no access to immediate medical facilities (major incidents may require evacuation and emergency response may be delayed), pharmacies and grocery stores may be limited or non-existent, transportation to and at the site may be limited and subject to weather or environmental conditions, and participants may have limited or no access to phone or internet services or reliable electricity.

Water sports and activities include an elevated risk of injury or death due to weather or water conditions, drowning, hypothermia, equipment failure, contact with water-borne bacteria or viruses, and other water-based injuries. Participants who undertake these activities must be able to swim, even if flotation devices are provided, and it is the participant's responsibility to indicate to the program director if they cannot swim. Lifeguards may not be present, and signage related to dangerous water conditions may not be present. Participants assume additional responsibility for assessing their own comfort and risk tolerance related to water conditions and equipment on site.

This program requires participants to spend a substantial amount of time outdoors. This could elevate participants' risk of catching insect- or wildlife-transmitted diseases, some of which may not be found in the United States. Before departure, participants should refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for information related to disease present in their host country, and they should make appointments with a physician to ensure they have all appropriate vaccinations and/or prophylactic medications. They should also follow recommendations on appropriate clothing, gear and insect repellant for the area they will be visiting. If participants feel ill upon return to the United States, they should discuss all symptoms with their physician and be sure to disclose that they have been abroad. Spending significant time outdoors will expose participants to the climate of the host destination, would could result in an elevated risk of hypothermia, fatigue, or heat exhaustion. 

This program requires that participants change locations from time to time. While this frequent travel is not inherently dangerous, there is an elevated risk of injury or accidental loss of property associated with the frequent moves. There is an increased risk of accidental loss of belongings, delays and changes to the program itinerary due to transportation delays, the possibility of small additional costs (e.g., baggage fees, meals purchased in transit, etc.), and some participants may experience additional stress or fatigue from the frequent moves and travel.

Within the academic context of the program, participants will consume small quantities of alcohol. Alcohol consumption in any quantity may have adverse effects, especially for individuals with certain medical conditions or if combined with certain prescription medications. Participants are encouraged to discuss alcohol interactions with their doctor before departure. Because alcohol affects all drinkers, there is an increased risk of injury or accident as a result of consumption. Tasting and consumption of alcohol is optional, and participants may opt out of alcohol consumption at any point during the program.

This program includes travel on rural or mountain roads. These roads may be in poor condition and/or be poorly maintained. Crash barriers or guardrails may be rare or may not be present, even on steep mountainous roads. Bus travel can be particularly dangerous, especially at night, and traffic may be heavy. Participants are encouraged to review road transportation safety standards and risks in their specific destination country before departure.

This program requires transportation by a motorized boat, ferry or other marine vessel. These vessels may be considered public transportation, or they may be private charters, subject to oversight by the marine regulatory bodies of the host country. The University of Kentucky cannot certify pilot training or licensure, vessel integrity or mechanical service. When public vessels are used, travel itineraries may change with little or no notice based on inclement water conditions. All participants are responsible for ensuring that appropriate life-saving and personal flotation devices are available before boarding, review and understand all safety procedures, and ask questions about the use of safety devices.

This program requires the use of non-traditional airlines as a primary means of transportation. Airlines in this category may fly at low altitudes, not have pressurized cabins, and be subject to flight cancellation or delay based on weather or environmental conditions at a higher frequency than other airlines. This form of transportation may have limited or no governmental regulation. This means that planes may or may not be inspected, and safety standards may be significantly different or lower than those in the United States.

This program requires the use of non-traditional motorized transportation, such as private cars-for-hire, motorcycles or mopeds, auto rickshaws or tuk tuks, private motorcoaches or vans-for-hire, etc. These may be common forms of transportation in the host country, but they may have limited or no governmental regulation. This means that vehicles may or may not be inspected, drivers may or may not be fully licensed or certified, drivers may or may not have insurance, and safety standards may be significantly lower than in the United States. The University of Kentucky does not certify driver training or licensure, vehicle integrity or mechical service.

Participants on this program will be required to use public transportation (e.g., buses, trains, etc.). Public transportation services are regulated by local governments and may be held to different standards of repair, safety, timely service or accessibility than in the United States. Public transportation is often very safe, and in some areas it may be the only means of transportation. However, local regulations may differ from or be less than those in place for public transportation in the United States. Use of public transportation includes the risk of injury from accident (including operator negligence), transit delays, fines or penalties for improper use, impacts or shutdowns related to worker strikes, petty theft, assault, and terrorism.

This program includes transportation by rudimentary marine vessels. These vessels may or may not be subject to oversight by marine regulators in the host country. These vessels should have personal flotation devices available, but they may not have additional safety devices. Travel on these vessels may be subject to river currents, debris or other water conditions. Participants may be expected to use paddles in some situations. Participants may need to enter the water in order to board the vessel. The University of Kentucky does not certify pilot training or licensure, vessel integrity or mechanical service, and cannot anticipate water conditions. All participants should ensure appropriate life-saving or personal flotation devices are available before boarding, review and understand all safety procedures, and ask questions about the use of safety devices.