Academics

Health & Safety

GO Prepared.

Health Resources

As you travel to other regions of the world, you will encounter physical, environmental and even mental changes. These changes are not to be feared, but rather embraced as a part of your foreign experiences. You will be best served if you plan accordingly for those changes you can anticipate. Should you have specific health related need during your time abroad, inform the study abroad coordinator or appropriate contact person overseas so that proper services can be arranged as care services vary from country to country. 

WLC's Tuberculosis Policy

Any student, staff or faculty member who travels outside the United States and returns to campus during their enrollment or tenure at WLC, will need to report to the Health Services Office upon their return for a Tuberculosis screening. This screening will consist of a series of questions about their travels and overall health, and may be followed by a skin test.

Safety Tips

GO Safely.

Things to consider before you GO to your host country:

Passport and Visa

  • Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visa (visa not required for all countries).
  • Fill in the emergency-information page of your passport.

Share Your Itinerary

  • Leave copies of your itinerary, passport-data page and visa with family or friends at home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. 

In Case of Emergency

  • Prepare an emergency contact numbers list (include the appropriate country code/area code).

Get to know your local U.S. Consulate Office

  • Be familiar with where the location and contact information for your local U.S. consulate offices. They can help you in emergencies. Register with the nearest American embassy or consulate. Consulate offices can be found at,  U.S. State Department Web site.

Information Sheets and Travel Warnings

  • You should use extreme caution or avoid traveling to an area currently under a travel warning by the State Department. Even if you are traveling somewhere declared as safe, it is a good idea to review the State Department's Consular Information Sheets for the country you are visiting.

Let Others Know Where You Are

  • Remain in contact with your advisor, the Center for International Education through Carol Koelpin, and also with your parents. Keep them up to date of your wellbeing and location so that in event of emergency they will be informed and can assess rumors accurately. 

GO Responsibly.

Gracious Guest

  • Familiarize yourself with and respect the laws, culture, customs and language of the countries in which you are traveling. Remember while in a foreign country you are subject to its laws.

Be Aware

  • Be alert to your surroundings and the people with whom you have contact. Take caution with people who seem overly friendly or overly interested in you just as you would be in the United States. If at any point you do not feel comfortable, immediately exit the situation. You know yourself and your boundaries. 

Protect Your Money and Important Documents

  • Never keep all of your documents and money in one place or one suitcase. Wear a money belt for large sums of money and travel documents. Do not flash large bills in public, and keep smaller bills accessible to pay for things. Be particularly discrete when displaying your passport.
  • When in large cities, pickpockets will be less likely to target you if you carry a smaller purse or briefcase with a shoulder strap and a secure closure (preferably a zipper). Carry it against your body and under your arm.

American Status

  • Be discrete about your American citizenship. Use caution when speaking English in public places. Do not wear clothing that will give away your American status. Students in foreign countries are considered targets. Avoid behaviors or clothing that might draw attention to your American nationality, such as loud or inappropriate speech, conspicuous labels, etc.
  • Avoid or spend little time in bars, restaurants, banks, travel offices, embassies and consulates, schools or churches that are normally identified with Americans. If you find yourself in uncomfortable surroundings, try to act confident and composed.
  • Don't put yourself in demonstration crowds or in other situations that may become unruly, or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.