On average, more than 100 students study abroad every year at the University of Tampa, according to the Office of International Programs. However, in recent years, the idea of studying abroad has been tainted by issues such as the Amanda Knox trial and the recent death of John Durkin, a study abroad student from Bates College. Subsequently, it is important that students know the necessary precautions to ensure their safety while they are traveling abroad.John Durkin was an American student studying abroad in Italy and was reported missing on Feb. 20. That following Saturday, the search would come to an end. Durkin’s body was found in a railroad tunnel. Police stated that his death came when he was struck by a train. The infamous Knox case dates back to 2009, when she made headlines for being convicted of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercer in Perugia, Italy. Knox, along with her then boyfriend Raffale Sollecito, was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Following an appeal to their conviction, the pair were acquitted in 2011 after spending nearly four years in Italian prison. However, on Jan. 30, Knox was found guilty once again by an Italian court and given an even stiffer sentence: 28 years and six months in prison. Within the Italian criminal justice system there lies no concept of double jeopardy, as practiced within the U.S., therefore there are huge discrepancies when it comes to interpreting international law. Knox’s legal issues are a prime example of why students should familiarize themselves with international law.
“[Students] are sometimes unaware of the laws in their own country,” said Cedric Michel, a UT criminology professor. “It’s even more of the case when they travel abroad.” Michel suggested that it is imperative for students to “become familiar with the laws, legal system, and vigor in the country that they choose to study in.” Many students often complete an analysis of their chosen destination a semester prior to their trip, Michel added. Furthermore, Michel stressed the importance of being well versed in knowing your rights and the relationship the U.S. shares with foreign countries.
“If you get in trouble, know your rights, [especially] your legal defenses. For instance, ignorance to the law can be used as a potential legal defense,” Michel said. The UT community is also very resourceful in preparing students for study abroad programs.
Clara Ohannes, an education abroad adviser, has overseen the travels of several hundred students since her start at UT in June 2013.
“All of our students studying abroad have to participate in a pre-departure session,” Ohannes said. “In spring, we do sessions not only for our semester students but also separate sessions for our travel course students because its a little different if you’re going to be traveling to a country for an extended period of time versus traveling for a shorter period of time.”
The pre-departure session entails an extensive overview of safety and health information. This year the study abroad program collaborated with Mike Politz, a former employee of the Department of State.
“This year we’ve had the good fortune of working with [Mike Politz] who worked for the Department of State for a really long time. So, he’s been able to share his expertise and safety tips with students, which has been really great,” Ohannes said. UT’s travel abroad program also requires students to purchase an international insurance policy.
“[UT travel insurance] covers everything from like a minor illness where they might need to get antibiotics or something to if there were serious injury. And, it even covers things like political or natural disaster evacuation if that was necessary. If the area they were in became unsafe for whatever reason,” Ohannes said. The cost of insurance depends on the length of one’s trip. For a semester travel abroad program, the cost is $350; for the summer, it’s $290. An academic year varies based upon the chosen destination. Additionally, UT’s study abroad program ensures the safety of students on a daily basis.
“We monitor security and safety warnings around the world daily. So, we get daily updates on things like that and reach out to students practically as we need to,” Ohannes said. Yet, in most instances, experience is the best teacher, as was the case for UT senior Candice Diah. Last spring, the international business student studied in Paris.
“I had a really good experience,” Diah said. “I stayed with a host family, the school [I attended] was nice and I got really submersed into the culture.”
Despite the language barrier, Diah felt prepared for her voyage abroad especially after she was provided with some safe travelling tips from UT’s education abroad department. According to Diah, UT was very helpful in providing basic guidelines for safe traveling like securing important documents. These documents included a copy of one’s passport, a valid ID and I-20. An I-20, also known as a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status, is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document issued by colleges and universities that provides information for issuing a student visa. Despite the misfortunes of students studying abroad making headlines, Diah encourages others to take part in this rewarding experience.
“Definitely, do it. It’s a good decision. [But] stay open-minded and observe before you act,” Diah said. Make sure you like pay attention to how people act, what people do, what’s normal and read up on the country before you go.”
Jesse Long can be reached at jesse.long@spartans.ut.edu.
Kai Miller can be reached at kai.miller@spartans.ut.edu