Health & Safety

One of the reasons why so many students and families choose Sol Abroad is that we provide a safe and supervised program environment. Our onsite directors and staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If medical attention is needed while abroad, our onsite staff will accompany you to an appropriate healthcare facility. We only choose program locations that we deem completely safe and healthy, and this extra precaution ensures that our students have a wonderful experience without worry.

If a problem or even a concern arises, you can always call the onsite staff or our main number 512-380-1003 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Curfew

All Sol Abroad programs have a curfew that is enforced by the host families and the onsite directors. The curfew is not designed to take away from the experience but to keep students safe. Curfews are established based on the country norms for the age group and with the students’ best interest in mind. Depending on group activities curfews may be extended when accompanied by a director.

Supervision & Homestays

You will see your Sol Abroad director daily and they lead all cultural activities and excursions. The homestay provide the real eyes and ears of the experience and are in close communication with the onsite directors. Close supervision is the key to a successful high school study abroad program. All of our host families are selected through a careful vetting process. These are families that we know and trust and form an integral part of our team. They go through an interview process that involves visiting their home, speaking with references and requesting a background check.

Risk Management

• Our onsite staff is trained in how to handle any type of problem that may arise during your study abroad experience.
• We continually monitor and analyze any information available that may affect our program locations.
• We are in constant contact with the onsite program directors. Our local staff is the eyes and ears of the program!
• Our onsite staff gives a program orientation for all students upon arrival about the health and safety of the program location.
• We keep the Country Handbook updated with relevant health and safety information.
• We recommend students register with their embassy prior to departure.
• We communicate with our students and share any concerns or information they should be aware of.
• We adjust the activities to avoid any potential problem that may adversely affect their experience abroad.

Travel Warnings & Travel Advisories

Sol Abroad monitors any announcements made by the US State Department. In the event of a Travel Warning or Advisory we email and/or call all parents and students. There is always constant communication between our students and onsite staff and the home office!

Natural Disasters & Other Threats

If a natural disaster or any other situation arises that affects the health and safety of our participants our staff is well-versed in contingency plans. As soon as we have information we immediately contact parents.

Evacuation Plan

Every health or safety threat is unique and we must customize our actions based on the situation. In the event of an emergency that may affect the health and safety of SOL participants, the Sol Education Abroad evacuation plan is as follows:

• The onsite director will account for all of the students to make sure they are safe and accounted for. 
• The onsite staff will provide information and instructions to them about where to meet or if they are to stay with their homestay and what is happening.
• The onsite staff will alert the Sol Education Abroad executive staff in Austin, TX of the event.
• The onsite director must collect all information possible about the event and provide it to Sol Education Abroad executive staff in Austin, TX in order to finalize an action plan. 
• The event will be analyzed and evaluated to determine the severity and thus what steps must be taken. The onsite staff will maintain a running report of the situation. 
• The onsite staff will contact the U.S. Embassy or Consular Agent in the program city (or nearest location).
• An evacuation plan will be created tailored to the situation.  
• The families and U.S. universities of the participants will be alerted and provided with updated reports by Sol HQ in Austin, TX. Continued updates will be provided.   
• Transportation will be arranged if necessary.  
• A plan of communication amongst the onsite staff and participants will be created for the situation.  
• If there is no electricity or internet for communication or phone lines and cell phones are down, each staff member will have a section of host families to visit. 

Medical Emergency

If there is a medical emergency while you abroad we will make sure your emergency contact is notified before making any major decisions. You are responsible for paying for medical attention but our directors will pay for anything needed if you do not have funds on you.

Sexual Assault/Sexual Abuse

1. Call 911. Ensure the physical health, safety, and emotional support of the victim. (Should not bathe or shower in case of rape)
2. Call your Site Director & SOL headquarters.
3. Accompany the student to the hosptial and request a Rape Kit and healthcare.
4. Write incident report and send to SOL headquarters.
5. Accompany the victim in making police report.
6. Support the victim and arrange on-going professional health and psychological support.

Theft

Unfortunately, when traveling, you may be more susceptible to theft because you are in unknown surroundings. If you are robbed, your onsite director will help you file a police report.