Safety and Security Abroad

Situational Awareness & Personal Safety

Being aware of your surroundings and keeping an eye out for signs of trouble is an important step you can take to stay safe. Arriving in a new country can be a disorienting experience. In addition to being unfamiliar with the geography of your host city, you may be confronted with a different language and different cultural cues.  Keeping the following tips in mind can be helpful: 

• Limit distracted walking (e.g., listening to music, looking at your phone, etc.). 
• Avoid looking lost by planning out your route before you leave. 
• Stay alert to your belongings. Pickpocketing and petty theft are among the most common crimes perpetrated against travelers. 
• Do not wear flashy jewelry or accessories in public. 
• Avoid traveling alone. If you must go by yourself, tell someone else your plans and check in with them once you arrive at your destination. 
• Use special care when withdrawing money from an ATM. 
• Do not consume alcohol in excess. 
• Be mindful of traffic patterns, and only cross the road at crosswalks or intersections. 
• Trust your gut- if a place feels unsafe, leave. 

Technology Safety

Making sure that your electronic devices are secured is very important when traveling internationally. Unsecured devices can result in the theft of proprietary information and data, identity theft, and financial losses.  

For tips on how to keep your devices safe, click here.

Alcohol Abroad

All UK travelers are encouraged to research the cultural norms around alcohol use before traveling internationally, as they can vary widely from country to country. In many countries, alcohol may be more widely available than in the U.S., and drinking ages may be lower. In others, it may be extremely culturally inappropriate or even illegal to consume alcohol. 

If you do choose to consume alcohol while abroad, keep in mind that doing so can have health and safety implications. Keep the following points in mind: 

• Mixing alcohol with certain prescription medications can be dangerous to your health. Review this publication for more information.  

• Public intoxication may be illegal abroad, and if you are arrested by local authorities, you will be subject to their jurisdiction. 

• When you are in an unfamiliar place, alcohol use may further disorient you and expose you to additional safety risks. 

• Drinking to get drunk is rarely seen as culturally appropriate, and binge drinking is viewed as disrespectful in many cultures. 

• In some parts of the developing world, alcohol production may be unregulated. Consuming alcohol from unregulated sources may be especially dangerous. 

If you are struggling with an alcohol addiction, the United Kingdom chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides resources about AA meetings worldwide. Click here for more information. 

Drugs Abroad

Do not use drugs abroad. In many countries, the penalties for the possession or use of drugs are much more severe than they are in the U.S. In some places, even the death penalty is a possibility. All international travelers should consider the following points: 

• U.S. law and constitutional protections do not apply to you outside the country. If you are arrested for the use or possession of drugs, there is very little that anyone can do to assist you. You will be subject to the laws and judicial system of your host country. 
• Ignorance of the law is never a defense. 
• Many countries have mandatory sentences for drug-related crimes. 
• Many countries do not offer a trial by jury, and if you are tried, your fate may be up to the discretion of a single judge. 
• In some places, even entering the country with drugs in your system is a criminal offense. 

You should NEVER accept packages from strangers for transport back to the United States or to any other country. If they are found to contain drugs, you will be prosecuted under local law, even if you are unaware of what is inside them.  

Additional Information for Students

UK students studying abroad should always remember that they are acting as representatives of the University and the U.S. while they are on their programs. They are also subject to the UK Code of Student Conduct for their duration of their programs. 

Misusing alcohol or drugs while on an Education Abroad program can have serious repercussions beyond the risks discussed above, up to and including dismissal from a program. Dismissal from a program for these reasons could result in major financial and academic implications, and include additional on-campus disciplinary actions once you have returned to the U.S.  

UK does not tolerate any form of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence or domestic violence, or the threat of any of these against members of the UK community.  

If you experience any of these things during an international trip, remember that you have support, and you have options. Experiencing sexual misconduct can cause a wide range of emotions including anxiety, fear and confusion. There is no single way to respond and heal. You should be in charge of your healing process.

On-Site Resources

Travelers covered under UK's international travel medical insurance & evacuation policy may contact AXA Assistance for immediate help finding medical care, if needed. AXA may also be able to refer you to an English-speaking counselor to talk through what has happened with you.

The U.S. Department of State provides additional resources at this link. While their page is directed toward "Women Travelers," keep in mind that up to 20% of sexual assault victims are male.  

If you are a victim of assault while you are abroad, the Department of State recommends that you contact the Office of Overseas Citizen Services at 202-501-4444, or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest to you. 

UK Campus & Domestic Resources

The VIP Center is available for members of the UK community to explore options and resources, and it is a place where you can speak about your experience confidentially.  

Additional on-campus resources are available through UK's Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity. They assist UK students and employees with issues of discrimination and harassment, or anything related to allegations of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and domestic violence.  

RAINN, a leading anti-sexual violence organization, provides resources on their website as well.

Road Travel Abroad

Though it comes as a surprise to many travelers, traffic accidents are a leading cause of death among American citizens overseas. Road conditions, traffic laws and driving behavior can vary widely between countries, and may be very different than what you are used to in the U.S.  

The Association of Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) offers resources on their website to research the conditions you may encounter in your destination country. Some tips to remember include: 

• Avoid late-night road travel in countries with poor safety records and/or mountainous terrain. 

• Understand how seasonal hazards affect road conditions. 

• If traveling on a local bus line, make sure the company is reputable, insured and licensed.

• Understand safety risks around public transportation in your host country.

• Be aware of traffic patterns in the area. 

• Remember that pedestrians make up the majority of roadway fatalities. 

• Do not walk in areas where pedestrians cannot be easily seen. 

• Wear reflective clothing if jogging at dusk or dawn. 

• Do not hitchhike. 

• Always ride in the back seat of a taxi cab. 

• Wear seat belts whenever possible. 

  Driving & Rental Cars

  UK employees should thoroughly research their destinations and carefully consider the risks of driving before choosing to rent a car overseas. If you do choose to drive on an international trip, keep the following points in mind: 

• It is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most countries. In many places, you  may need an International Driving Permit. Keep in mind that your domestic insurance may not cover you abroad- check with your insurance company before departure. 
• Before renting a car for UK purposes, you must have a Motor Vehicle Record Release and Information Form on file with UK Risk Management. 
• Comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance on vehicles rented outside the U.S. and in U.S. Territories is a reimbursable expense, and UK Risk Management recommends that it be obtained. 

• The U.S. Department of State provides additional tips on renting and driving cars abroad. 

  UK students participating on Education Abroad programs should not rent or operate any kind of motor vehicle. 

• The University prefers that rental cars be reserved through UK Travel. 

Travelers should always be very careful when swimming on international trips. This is especially true in places where emergency response may not be reliable, or where lifeguards may not be common. As a visitor, you may also be unfamiliar with rivers or coastal areas that have swift and dangerous currents, especially in places where signage is limited. 

Keep in mind that water conditions may change quickly depending on weather conditions, even in areas where swimming is common. It’s important to do your research, and be clear about your swimming abilities. If you do choose to swim during your time abroad, take these important tips into consideration: 

• Learn how to manage rip currents, a very common water danger.
• Never swim alone, and develop a safety plan with your fellow swimmers.
• Heed all warning signs, flags and lifeguard instructions.
• When possible, only swim in designated areas with clear warning systems.
• Do not swim where no lifeguards are present.
• Do not consume alcohol before swimming.
• Never dive head-first into an unfamiliar body of water.
• Only swim in areas that you have discussed with your program provider or other responsible party on-site.
• Wear a life jacket.

Tips to Remember

Fire safety is an especially important consideration when choosing housing on international trips. Although options may be limited at some destinations, here are some tips to remember when looking for a place to stay:

• In industrialized countries, avoid staying above the seventh floor. 

• In developing countries, avoid staying above the third floor. 

• Avoid staying on the first floor if all windows are barred. 

• Check your residence for fire escapes, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. 

• Know at least two exits from the building. 

• Check that smoke detectors are in good working order. If they are not, or if none are present, consider purchasing them. They should be placed in the common area, laundry room and inside sleeping rooms. Remember that smoke detectors are your first line of defense against fire. 

• Plan and practice an escape route. 

• Develop a nightly routine that includes locking all doors and windows, making sure the stove and oven are turned off and ensuring that all candles are properly extinguished. 

• Print and review any fire safety tips from local authorities, and review information from organizations like NFPA and the Jasmine Jahanshahi Fire Safety Foundation. 

• Make sure that you know the equivalent of 911 in your destination country. 

If you are in a fire: 

• Check to see if a door is hot before opening it. If the door is hot, do not open it. Call the local equivalent of 911, give them your location, and state that you are unable to leave. Stuff wet towels around the base of the door, move to a window, and open it to let first responders know your location. If the door is opened, a backdraft may pull available oxygen out of the room and make it more difficult to breathe. 

• If you need to attempt to evacuate through smoke to exit a building, cover your mouth and nose with a wet shirt or towel, stay low, and move toward the nearest exit away from the fire. Remember- smoke inhalation is very dangerous.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) provides additional guidance and support regarding export control and sanctions compliance for UK researchers here. If you have questions about whether export control considerations apply to your specific situation, or if you are a researcher who has projects with Technology Control Plans in place, please contact John Craddock before traveling, at john.craddock@uky.edu.

As defined in Administrative Regulation 10:7, “Protected data” means data or information that has been designated as private or confidential by law or by the University. Protected data includes, but is not limited to, employment records, medical records, student records, education records, personal financial records (or other individually identifiable information), research data, trade secrets, and classified government information. Protected data does not include public records that by law must be made available to the general public. To the extent there is any uncertainty as to whether any data constitutes protected data, the data in question will be treated as protected data until a determination is made by the University.  

a. Private data - Private data is any information that the University is under legal or contractual obligation to protect. Examples of private data include employment, research, and student data.  

b. Confidential data - Confidential data is data that by law is not to be publicly disclosed. This designation is used for highly sensitive data whose access is restricted to authorized employees. Examples of confidential data include personally identifiable information in student education records, and personally identifiable non-public information about University employees.  

These categories of private and confidential data enumerated above are specific to data residing in University systems. Governing Regulation XIV.B.3, Confidentiality of Information, governs the release of information from the University to the public. 

For UK systems, you will need to call ITS Customer Services at 859-218-HELP (4357) to set up Two-Factor Log-In. If you have already enrolled a device, you can change your settings or enroll another device through Account Manager at ukam.uky.edu. 

For non-UK systems, you can typically change the security settings to enable two-factor authentication, if available.

Contact your IT representative or call ITS Customer Services at 859-218-HELP (4357). 

Many University devices that are managed by ITS already have anti-virus software. If yours does not or you would like advice on anti-virus for your personal machine, you can contact cybersecurity@uky.edu. 

In the unlikely even that this happens, comply with the official's request. Once there has been a resolution and it is safe to do so, contact cybersecurity@uky.edu to inform UK of what has happened.

You can reach ITS Customer Services via email at 218help@uky.edu. 

Contact your IT representative or call ITS Customer Service at 859-218-HELP (4357).

Travel Advisories

The U.S. Department of State issues a Travel Advisory for each country in the world. These advisories rank the U.S. government's travel advice for each country on a scale of 1 to 4. In Level 1 countries, you are advised to "exercise normal precautions." You should "exercise increased caution" in Level 2 countries, and "reconsider travel" to Level 3 countries. The highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks is Level 4: Do not travel.

As you prepare to depart, the International Center recommends that you thoroughly read the Travel Advisory for your destination country, at this link.

Another way to understand the security environment in your destination is through monitoring Travel Alerts, which are issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country that they cover. Alerts inform U.S. citizens of specific safety and security concerns, such as demonstrations, crime trends, and weather events. Recent Alerts for any given country will appear below its Travel Advisory on the page linked above.

The University of Kentucky does not support student international education travel in countries with active Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisories without the completion of a required review process and approval from the Associate Provost for Internationalization and Dean of the student's home college. More information is available here.

Risk Indicators

When researching the Travel Advisory level in your destination country, pay close attention to the "Risk Indicators" found in any Level 2, 3 or 4 Advisory. They outline the specific concerns that the U.S. government wants travelers to be aware of in that country. The current Risk Indicators used by the Department of State are:

• C - Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T - Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U - Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• H - Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country's medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor.
• N - Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E - Time-limited Event: Short-term event, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• O - Other: There are potential risks not covered by the other risk indicators. Additional details will be found in the country's Travel Advisory.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

UK travelers are encouraged to register their trips with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  

Registration with this program allows the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to your destination to liaise with you in the event of an emergency. After registration, you will be able to receive security information and other important updates from the embassy, which can help you stay informed of changing events in your host country. 

It also assists the U.S. government in contacting you in the event of an emergency. Additional information about the program can be accessed at this link.  

International members of the UK community should know that STEP is only intended for U.S. citizens. The International Center encourages such travelers to register with the embassy or consulate of their home country, if possible.  

U.S. citizen students are automatically registered with STEP after completing a travel registration through the International Center. 

UK employees are encouraged to register their trips with STEP before departure.

Terrorist Attacks Abroad

Terrorist attacks occur throughout the world and in the U.S., and often garner a great deal of media attention. This can cause real concerns for travelers, especially in countries where recent attacks have targeted large public venues and major urban areas. However, there is no reason to believe that Americans are less safe in many destinations abroad than they are in the U.S. In fact, the most dangerous incident likely to befall an American overseas is a motor-vehicle accident. 

The information on this page should assist you in better understanding the risk of terrorism abroad, and some steps that you can take to stay safe. 

Evaluating the Risk

Terrorist attacks can be extremely frightening, and some countries are more likely to experience them than others. However, the risk that an American will be killed by terrorist action abroad is relatively low compared to some other risks. The New York Times reports that while 223 Americans abroad died in motor-vehicle accidents between July 2014 and June 2015, only 16 died as a result of terrorism during that same time period. 

Recent devastating events in Western Europe have highlighted the terrorist risk in that region. At the same time, data show that incidences of terrorism in Europe are actually lower now than they were at many times in the recent past, especially the 1970s and 1980s. 

Nonetheless, terrorism is a real and pressing concern in many parts of the world. The UK International Center uses information from the U.S. Department of State, OSAC, and other sources to stay current on the terrorist risks in regions throughout the world that members of the UK community visit. If you have any questions related to the risk at your destination, please contact Director of Global Risk & Strategic Operations Jason Hope at jasonhope@uky.edu.

Tips for Travelers

There are many steps that travelers can take to reduce their risk of being involved in a terrorist incident abroad. Here are some tips to consider: 

• Remain vigilant to your surroundings at all times, especially in public places 
• Be mindful of where exits are located, and alert authorities to unattended bags or suspicious individuals 
• Monitor local media and information sources to keep track of current events 
• Avoid protests and other similar gatherings 
• Keep a low profile in public places 
• Read all messages that you receive from the U.S. Department of State, after enrolling with STEP 
• Memorize local emergency contact information and important phone numbers 
• Do not loiter in public transportation areas 
• Remember: if the UK International Center reaches out to you, respond as soon as possible! 

The UK International Center works closely with UK’s senior administration and offices across campus to implement crisis management and communication plans. In the event of an emergency, the University takes swift action to account for its registered travelers abroad, and to assist them. Before you depart, please remember these important points: 

• In the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other significant incident in your destination country, the International Center may reach out to you via e-mail or text message. Please be on the lookout for such messages, and respond to them promptly. 

• If you urgently need to contact the University, the best way to do so is by dialing the UK Police Department at 859-257-8573. They will route your call to the appropriate person on campus. 

• More emergency contact information can be found here.

International Student Information

Many international students participate on Education Abroad programs each year, in addition to doing other non-credit academic work outside the U.S. However, to ensure that they maintain status, international students should take the following points into consideration well before their departure: 

• All students in F or J status must complete their travel request form in iCat before departure. 

• To maintain F or J status, students must be enrolled full-time in each fall and spring semester. Please contact the office of International Student & Scholar Services if you have any questions regarding this point.  

• Remember: travel signatures are only valid for one year. Make sure to check your passport and visa stamp for dates of validity. 

• Entry requirements abroad may be different for you depending on your nationality. Find out if you will need a visa for any country you will be traveling to or through! 

• If you have concerns about your ability to return to the U.S. after your trip abroad, please set up a time to chat with a student immigration services specialist in the UK International Center.