Our Programs

What about health and safety?

The health and safety of our students and staff is a top priority. As an integral part of our orientation program, students receive site-specific health and safety information tailored to the location and unique circumstances of each of our semester programs. CELL staff also receive ongoing training in health and safety issues. Health and safety policies and procedures cover the following areas:

1. Students are housed in clean, safe lodges and/or homestays throughout the entire semester.
2. On an ongoing basis, CELL assesses the health and safety conditions for all programs, including developing and maintaining emergency-preparedness procedures and a crisis-response plan (includes an evacuation plan in case of an emergency).
3. All students participate in a semester orientation, including information on health, safety, food and water, legal, environmental, cultural, political, and religious concerns in the host country. Appropriate emergency response measures are also covered during orientation.
4. Student’s maturity, motivation, physical and emotional preparedness, disciplinary history, and health are considered in evaluating the appropriateness of an individual’s participation in our programs. 
5. CELL has a Code of Conduct for all semester programs and communicates the code and the consequences of noncompliance to participants (for specifics, see our How to Apply page). In order to participate in a CELL semester program, students must agree to the conditions outlined in our Code of Conduct.
6. All participants are required to be insured, to submit a copy of a recent physical examination (including their medical history), and to show evidence of immunizations (where required).
7. CELL continuously monitors possible changes in country conditions, including U.S. government advisories, and will advise participants and their families as needed. Note: In the countries where our programs are located, the need for advisories is rare.
8. All vendors, including lodging, transportation, food, and program services are hired based on their reputation for quality service and advised of our expectations regarding their role in the health and safety of participants and our expectations rearding quality service.
9. CELL staff receive ongoing health and safety training, and the availability of professional and medical services is explained to participants.
10. In cases of serious health problems, injury, or other significant health and safety circumstances, CELL staff maintain effective communication with students, staff, program sponsors, and others who need to know.
11. Program staff have lived and worked in the regions where our programs run, and at least one staff member is always on call 24 hours a day.
12. It is important that participants and families understand that we place a top priority on health and safety, but that we cannot eliminate all risks associated with a study-abroad program. We can, however, reduce these risks through thoughtful planning and attention to the details of health and safety.

Note: More site-specific information is included in the student-orientation program.