UW Offers Advice on International Travel

The University of Wyoming advises students, faculty and staff traveling abroad this summer that the U.S. Department of State issued a World Wide Travel Alert (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5447.html) on May 1, 2011 for all Americans traveling and living abroad. The Travel Alert expires on August 1, 2011. The Travel Alert does not ban or curtail travel, but asks Americans to be aware of their surroundings and situations they may encounter, and to be cautious and vigilant of potential risks to their safety.

According to the Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council, U.S. travelers abroad should:

• Avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence.
• Be especially observant and cautious of your surrounding in situations such as high-profile sporting events, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and locales where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers.
• Stay current on media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Maintain a low profile while overseas.
• If you are traveling in groups, make sure group members keep track of each other's schedules when away from class, group outings, or lodging.
• Have key telephone numbers available, in case there is a need for support or assistance. This includes fellow group members' phone numbers, faculty leaders' phone numbers if you are on a UW course, and the phone number of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination.
• Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, which will allow the Department of State to better assist you in case of emergency.

For information on what the U.S. Department of State does in a crisis, please see: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html

UW will attempt to contact all students on UW-led programs via email and phone in the event of an emergency.  Please make sure you give your emergency in-country contact number (to reach you abroad) and emergency contact in the U.S. (in case we can't reach you abroad) to the International Programs Office, 766-3678 or 766-6681, before departure.