Health and Safety
The programs recognized by Providence College are known in the industry to be of very high quality. They all have highly trained staff, excellent academic resources, and significant emergency preparedness. Both before departure and upon arrival, students receive information to make appropriate decisions based on cultural norms and local laws. During a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation, students are prepared by Providence College staff to make good choices during their time abroad. After arrival, local program staff conduct orientation activities that provide students with skills to conduct themselves in their host country.
As with any city in the U.S., student safety can never be guaranteed. Students will be given the resources they need to make good choices. They will have 24/7 access to on-site staff in case of emergency while they are abroad. All PC recognized programs have necessary resources to evacuate students in the event of natural disasters, terrorism, or political unrest.
PC observes U.S. State Department Travel Advisories and CDC Travel Health Warnings. PC approves programs in countries where a level one or two U.S. State Department Travel Advisory has been issued. PC will not approve programs that take place in countries for which a CDC Travel Health Warning has been issued. To read more about PC’s Travel and Study Abroad Safety Policy, click here.
Culture Shock:
Symptoms of culture shock manifest themselves subtly as opposed to feeling like actual “shock.” Culture shock can feel like homesickness, frustration, joy, anxiety, and general grumpiness. Students may have physical or emotional reactions while adjusting to the host culture. This may include weight loss or gain, preoccupation with food or cleanliness, or atypical moodiness. This is a normal, and temporary, phenomenon. Students may bottle up their stress during the day and then “unload” over the phone to their parents. This may come in the form of yelling or crying. Some examples of culture shock could include:
- a student who arrives overseas, calls their parent, and says they cannot handle the homesickness they are experiencing. They say they are so unhappy that they want to book a flight back home.
- a student who initially loved their new location is starting to complain about the stresses and inconveniences of life abroad.
- a student who does not want to leave their bedroom.
- a student who prefers to message friends from home rather than interact with people in his new environment.
- a student reluctant to explore their new surroundings .
These are normal reactions to the anxiety students experience when moving to a new environment. As a parent, we encourage your responses to remain calm and sympathetic. Here are other ways to help your student:
- Remind your student that cultural adjustment takes time and that they should be patient.
- Recommend that your student involve him or herself in activities in the host country. Your student may be interested in volunteering or taking part in a language exchange with a local student. They may also join an intramural sports team or sign up for a field trip with their study abroad provider.
- Encourage your student to follow her ambitions and continue her plans for the future. Remind the student about the reasons she wanted to go abroad and what it was that she hoped to accomplish.
For most students, these symptoms go away on their own as they feel more settled. If you suspect your student is struggling to cope with culture shock, encourage them to reach out to program staff. The on-site staff are trained to help students that are having trouble adjusting or with their mental health. They serve as excellent resources for students while they are away from home and are experienced in assisting American students. In these cases, you may also contact the CGE for assistance in contacting the on-site program staff.
