Health & Safety

Cal Poly’s main concern is for the safety and well-being of its students, staff, faculty, and community members. 

Over the 30+ years during which Cal Poly has administered study abroad programs, safety and security has been and continues to be the highest priority.  The Cal Poly International Center, Strategic Business Support Services / Risk Management, and the Chancellor’s Office closely monitor political uprisings, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other global events that can impact our students’ safety and security.   

Students are urged to follow the principles of personal risk preparedness while studying abroad: awareness, communication, cultural common sense, and personal responsibility.  Additionally, participants in all programs abroad are registered with the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  

It has been a difficult time for all of us as world citizens to witness the violence in many corners of the globe and at home. While you are abroad, we urge you to stay abreast of the latest news in your area, and to take appropriate precautions and follow communication protocol. We wish you a safe, healthy, and educational experience while abroad.   

Cal Poly cannot guarantee safety or eliminate all risks associated with traveling abroad.  Safety is everyone’s responsibility.  Students, parents, faculty, and staff all have a role to play in minimizing potential dangers and mitigating risk.  Behavior is often a major factor in reducing risk; students are urged to conduct themselves in a prudent manner, exercise awareness and good judgment, pay particular attention to local conditions, follow communication and safety protocols, and assume responsibility for the consequences of personal decisions and actions.   

All students should research conditions at their study abroad destination that could impact their health and safety (including required or recommended immunizations, availability of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications, local crime rates, and specific health and safety risks).   

Health & Safety Resources for Study Abroad

• Cal Poly Counseling Services – Free, confidential services and self-help resources   

• Cal Poly Campus Health & Wellbeing Mental Health Screening – Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a mental health professional.

• Cal Poly SAFER Study Abroad Video – Safer is Cal Poly's prevention education & confidential advocacy resource for sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation and harassment. Watch this before you go abroad. 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health – Advice and information for travel to international destinations      

• Get Help in an Emergency – U.S. Department of state emergency resources, including embassy/consulate locator   

• International LGBTI Association – Worldwide federation campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights  

• International Religious Freedom – Annual report to Congress on the status of religious freedom in every country   

• Mental Health Screening – Anonymous online screening provided by Cal Poly Counseling Services for eating disorders, alcohol issues, anxiety disorders, depression, and psychological issues   

• Mobility International USA – Resources for advancing disability rights and leadership globally  

• Psychological Emergency Services – Emergency counseling services and suicide prevention hotline   

• Red Cross Mobile Apps – Online tools for first aid and emergencies   

• SAFER – Cal Poly’s confidential advocacy, education and support resource for addressing sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking   

• Suicide Prevention – 24/7 emergency hotline and lifeline   

• Title IX – Gender equity in educational programs   

• Travel Alerts & Warnings – U.S. Department of State alerts, warnings, and information for all countries   

• Traveling with Devices and Connecting to the Internet - Understand how to protect yourself, your devices, and your personal or university data while traveling 

• Traveler's Guide to Cybersecurity - Tips for safeguarding yourself and practicing good cybersecurity habits while traveling 

• U.S. Department of State International Travel Information – Country specific information for every country in the world  

• World Health Organization – Information on outbreaks and global health issues  

Insurance

All students participating in Cal Poly affiliated International Exchanges, Global Programs, select partner programs, and individual and group non-credit international travel are required to be enrolled in the Foreign Travel Insurance designated by the CSU Chancellor's Office. The California State University Risk Management Authority (CSURMA) Foreign Travel Insurance Program (FTIP) benefits include but are not limited to the following: 

• General Liability and Excess Auto Liability 

• Primary Medical Expense, Emergency Medical Benefits and Evacuation 

• Repatriation of Remains 

• Political Evacuations and Repatriation Benefit War Risk Coverage 

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit 

Please note that there is an additional premium for travel to certain high hazard countries.  

Overlay Insurance for Study Abroad with Affiliate Partner Programs 

Overlay Insurance is applicable only for Study Abroad programs provided by an affiliated partner provider that has a valid written agreement with CSU/Cal Poly and travel accident insurance is required to be purchased from that provider. The CSU assumes no responsibility for travel anywhere that has not been approved by CSU. This coverage is intended to supplement, not replace, the insurance required by the Study Abroad provider who, under a written agreement with CSU, provides educational opportunities for CSU students to study abroad. This extension to the provider's insurance provides General Liability insurance, but does not include Travel Assistance, Accident & Health or any of its associated benefits including but not limited to: Medical Expense, Emergency Medical, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Repatriation of Remains, Emergency Reunion, Home Country Extension, Security Evacuation, Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Coma, Felonious Assault, Hijacking and Air Piracy, etc. 

There may be an additional premium for travel to certain high hazard countries. 

You will be provided instructions during your application process on how to purchase the insurance for your affiliate partner program.