Spring Break
SAPO explains their role in the dangers of studying abroad
By: Ryan, Megan
Issue date: 6/23/09 Section: News
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However, the Texas A&M Study Abroad Programs Office, SAPO, has good news for Aggies. Incidents are rare, considering that the statistics above represent a population of almost 250,000 students studying abroad each year, according to data from the 2006-2007 academic year. Also, SAPO offers resources for students to turn to when in need overseas. SAPO has a team organized to ensure Aggies are protected from dangers or risks that may jeopardize their educational experience.
Each fall and spring, SAPO holds an orientation meeting for students that will be departing that semester. These meetings allow for discussion regarding health and safety issues that may arise while students are studying abroad.
"All students participating on faculty-led and reciprocal exchange programs are provided with more in-depth information regarding the specific location where they will study," said Jane Flaherty, director of SAPO.
SAPO organizes briefings for staff members who teach study abroad courses. These briefings make the staff aware of how to deal with medical emergencies. The study abroad office has a 24/7 emergency call system.
"We would like everyone who travels to be informed," said Ambassador Eric M. Bost, the Vice President of Global Initiatives at Texas A&M. "The inference is that there is a greater likelihood that something is going to happen to you if you leave the United States, and that's not the case. Jane and her staff do an outstanding job in terms of having a pre-departure session and orientation for students and faculty, before they go overseas, that is geared to places that they go."
Ambassador Bost also said that in his personal experiences with being abroad he has not seen a lot of particularly dangerous situations. Even when he served as ambassador in South Africa, he said, he saw only two incidents of danger overseas.
"I've been to 88 countries in my career, and I've only had one unpleasant thing happen to me," he said. "It was in Paris, which people think is one of the safest places in the world."
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