Health and Safety

Babson considers the health and safety of students on education abroad programs one of its top priorities.

While no organization or institution can guarantee the safety of participants, the risks can be significantly reduced if program staff, students, parents, and advisors at the host and home institutions all work together.

Protocols and Guidelines

Babson College has certain protocols and guidelines in place to help minimize risk:

• We monitor U.S. government advisories, considering both those issued by in-country embassies and consulates and by the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
• We strongly recommend that all students, staff, and faculty register for the U.S. State Department Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so they get alerts before and during their travel. Also this alerts the local embassy when they will be in the destination country in the event of an emergency.
• Our staff are in contact with all students abroad, and students are kept updated on travel warnings or potential threats in their area.
• Students abroad are integrated into our institutional crisis response plan. As such, students who are studying abroad can contact Babson College Public Safety 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Students attend mandatory pre-departure orientation sessions during which health and safety issues and protocols are covered in detail.
• Babson College provides all students with a suite of international travel assistance services via International SOS.
• Babson College endorses the recommendations of both the Forum on Education Abroad’s Standards of Good Practice and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ health and safety task force findings,Responsible Study Abroad: Good Practices for Health and Safety (pdf), developed by the Interorganizational Task Force on Safety and Responsibility in Study Abroad.

Pre-Departure Planning

Planning and preparation are the key to a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience abroad. As they prepare for their time abroad, students are carefully advised through our online portal and in-person pre-departure sessions on important issues and considerations. These include researching their host country and culture, planning for any medical needs and registering their travel with various agencies. Medical insurance is another key pre-departure consideration and students are advised regarding their options as well as any additional requirements their host country or program may require.

In Case of an Emergency Abroad

24/7 Contact: Babson College Public Safety +1-781-239-5555

Any situation or condition which jeopardizes Babson College student(s)’ physical or mental health, safety, well-being, or program participation and/or requires the intervention of program staff. Such events or occurrences may include, but are not limited to: civil disturbance, natural disaster, severe or prolonged illness or injury requiring hospitalization, disciplinary action, emotional or behavioral disorders, illegal actions (i.e., drug use), absence from program site, academic probation, etc.

To assist program staff in addressing or resolving an urgent or emergency situation, it is vital that a Babson College official be promptly notified.

Notification Procedures

Call Babson Public Safety 24 hours, seven days a week.

Notification Information—Please provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Your name
• Country and program of study
• Student(s) names
• Date and time of occurrence/condition
• Description of occurrence/condition
• Action taken thus far
• Action requested of Officer (if appropriate)
• Return contact information