Staying Safe and Secure

• Fulbright Partner Organizations: The Institute of International Education (IIE), which administers the Fulbright Program under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State, plays a key initial role in preparing new Fulbright grantees for their experience abroad. While in country, Fulbright grantees are supported by binational Fulbright Commissions (49 worldwide who take the lead in administering Fulbright programs in-country) and by Public Affairs Sections at U.S. Embassies abroad (who administer Fulbright when there is no binational commission).  
• State Department Travel Information: The U.S. Department of State maintains an extensive library of current resources on its Bureau of Consular Affairs website. You are able to access detailed information on individual country pages found in the International Travel section and covering entry/exit requirements, local laws and customs, safety and security, health conditions, transportation, and other relevant topics.  Before you go, review all travel alerts and advisories for your country.  Some U.S. citizens with special considerations – such as students, women, and LGBT travelers – may face additional challenges when abroad.  If you do decide to travel, make a plan for what to do if something goes wrong overseas.
• Oversight of Fulbrighters:  Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies are charged with welcoming as well as monitoring the progress of Fulbrighters during their grant to anticipate issues and trouble-shoot before emergencies arise.  Commission or Embassy staff members may visit grantees in the field and also organize gatherings for discussions on cultural adjustment, academic workload, emotional well-being, safety, and other issues. In countries with a Fulbright Commission, the U.S. Embassy is represented on the local Fulbright Commission Board. 
• Comprehensive Information:  Fulbright Commissions and Embassies generally provide materials to advise Fulbright grantees assigned to the country.  These materials contain advice on emergency protocols in case of urgent medical issues, incidents of sexual violence and other crimes such as terrorism, and natural disasters.  Commissions and Embassies provide Fulbright grantees with lists of emergency contact numbers, often put on a wallet-sized card and laminated - that should be carried by a grantee at all times.  Grantees also are advised on protocols to follow in various types of emergencies, from getting to a safe place in the case of natural disaster or other incident, to visiting the nearest hospital or clinic for urgent medical needs. Phone numbers are provided for 24/7 emergency contact with ASPE ASSIST and for the U.S. Embassy and Commission.  When an emergency occurs, grantees should immediately contact their country’s Fulbright program contacts for local support. 
• In-Country Orientations:  Commissions and U.S. Embassies often jointly brief all newly arrived Fulbright participants.  These orientations generally include a special overview on safety and security by an Embassy, Fulbright alumni in country and/or local professionals who offer informative assessments of the current political situation and issues related to life in the country.  Fulbright grantees also may participate in mid-year and/or final review sessions where they have the opportunity to share their experiences as a group and raise questions.

The U.S. Department of State’s travel.state.gov website provides a number of resources, including advice on crime overseas and details regarding countries.  Once in the host country, your Fulbright Commission and/or Embassy will brief you and provide materials on emergency contacts and what to do if you find yourself in a crisis situation.  The following information is provided as an introduction and to stimulate safe thinking about your new Fulbright experience overseas. 

Natural disasters, crime, and terrorism happen without warning:  your best strategy is to be prepared for all.  Upon arrival, take the time to locate your nearest police station, hospital, and medical centers.  Know your Fulbright Program contact points in-country.  Keep emergency numbers at home in an easy to find place.  Carry some key phone numbers at all times and don’t rely on your cell phone directory, as cell phones can freeze, become overloaded, run out of battery power, or are stolen.  Don’t wait until you are in a crisis to get prepared. 

Preparing for Emergencies:

• As a Fulbrighter, you are sponsored by the U.S. government as an exchange participant. You are, however, a private citizen abroad who is not under official Embassy authority.  Nevertheless, if it is not provided as part of an orientation on arrival, you may request a security briefing through the Commission or Embassy and ask if there is an Emergency Action Plan for Fulbrighters.  Be aware of what is expected of you in an emergency.
• Fulbrighters are advised to enroll in the global Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier for an Embassy to locate them in an emergency.  
• Fulbright grantees experiencing an emergency should immediately contact the Embassy and/or Commission in their host country. Fulbrighters also may contact the after-hours emergency duty officer at U.S. embassies located in the country who is able to provide advice on emergencies.  
• The American Citizen Services Sections at U.S. Embassies publish directories of English-speaking local doctors and lawyers to assist Americans in crisis. Look for these directories on the Embassy website

General Tips For Safety: Find Out What Is Appropriate For Your Host Country:

• Take control of your personal safety.  Plan ahead. Think about what you will do if caught in a bad situation. Envision the scenarios and your reactions.  Trust your instincts and stay close to your friends.
• Be mindful of applicable laws, protocol, and customs in your host country, especially those that may be different from the United States.  As a visitor in your host country, you are subject to local laws and regulations. 
• Know how to use the phone system in the country to which you are traveling. Do not wait until an emergency to figure this out.
• Inform yourself about parts of towns that local residents consider risky; if you are out alone at night, avoid secluded, poorly lighted areas.
• Be discreet when out and about. As an American visitor, you will stand out. While that might be positive, it can also draw unwanted attention.
• You may encounter varying levels of xenophobic distrust of foreigners in your host country.  While urbanites in the capital may be cosmopolitan and outward looking, your placement may be in a provincial town with less routine contact with foreigners. Take the opportunity to represent our country but be mindful that some people you meet may be unfamiliar with the diversity that is a hallmark of America’s population.
• Look out for your friends who may be in harm’s way – and they should do the same for you. 
• As a good practice, keep valuables and your passport out of sight.
• Know your limits for alcohol consumption and be aware that the drinking culture may differ from the United States. Don’t accept drinks from strangers!  Keep your beverage with you at all times.
• Do not take valuable items with you. In the event that someone demands your wallet/purse or any other valuable, do not resist. Try to get a good description of the assailant(s).
• If driving, keep your car doors locked and suitcases out of sight. Be aware that “grab and go” robberies, where a door is flung open and a purse is taken, happen in many countries abroad.
• Do not walk to your car alone at night. If you see someone loitering near your car, walk away from the vehicle.
• Separate your car keys from other keys to reduce the possibility that a household burglary will follow a carjacking. Do not leave your vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, or other documents with names and addresses in your car.
• When approaching a red light, leave space between your car and the vehicle in front of you so you can pull away if needed.
• Be aware that pickpockets in crowds can be men, women, or children, operating alone or in groups.
• Don’t give out personal information online and be careful about what you are posting on social media.

Attitudes and laws towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals differ around the world. While attitudes are becoming more open-minded in many places, some countries still criminalize homosexuality. Fulbrighters should research the host country prior to their departure from the U.S., particularly if they intend to be accompanied by their same-sex partner during the Fulbright grant. Fulbrighters should also review the following resources:

• The U.S. Department of State issues annual Human Rights Reports for each country, which include information on abuses, discrimination and acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• The Ithaca College Office of International Programs compiled the resource LGBT Students and Study Abroad.
• NAFSA is a professional organization for international educators. NAFSA’s Rainbow Special Interest Group (Rainbow SIG) is composed of diverse members of NAFSA whose goals are to support and counsel international students and study abroad students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
• The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and OutRight Action International both include country-specific information on laws affecting the LGBT community and other general LGBT concerns.

If you encounter any problems or if you are harassed or threatened due to your sexual orientation or gender identity, contact the Fulbright Commission and/or Embassy in your host country.

Mobility and Accessibility:

While the Fulbright Program offers accommodations for Fulbrighters with disabilities, some host countries may not be as accessible for grantees who have a physical disability, and stigma may differ from one location to another. For example, countries may not have the infrastructure to accommodate wheelchairs on sidewalks or legally require accommodations for persons with disabilities. It is important to research the host country to ensure accessibility and safety measures are met.

• If U.S. Scholars have any accessibility requirements, please email your IIE Advisor and the Post/Fulbright Commission in your host country.
• Fulbrighters can access mobility and accessibility resources at Mobility International USA (MIUSA)’s website

Race and Ethnicity: 

Local attitudes towards race and ethnicity differ widely and will largely depend on whether your racial and ethnic identity is a majority or minority group in the host country. It is advised that you research how your racial, ethnic, and cultural identities are perceived in your host country to understand how existing racial and identity dynamics may impact your Fulbright experience.

• Diversity Abroad is an organization that provides resources on race/ethnicity abroad. Specifically, their website has a Diversity and Inclusion Abroad Guide.
• So You’re an American offers resources on navigating cross-cultural communication. 
• IES Abroad provides information on navigating identity and diversity abroad.