Safety

Living in Northern Ireland

In exploring unfamiliar surroundings, you need to be conscious of personal safety. Many students believe that they can travel and act abroad as they do in their familiar home and college campus settings. However, crime occurs in Northern Ireland, as it does everywhere. You are less likely to be victimized if you keep alert and aware. Program staff will provide you with further, specific guidelines for  safety  when  traveling  within  Londonderry-Derry,  Dublin,  or  rural  areas. Nonetheless, take ownership of your personal safety. If you are unsure about particular areas, consult with program staff.

A few general tips:

• Avoid walking around on your own, especially at night.

• Do not text or speak on your phone while walking.

• When walking on the street at night or hanging out at a club or pub, do not draw excessive attention to yourself, especially if you are around people who have been drinking.

• Do not engage in activities you would avoid in the US. If it’s not considered safe in the U.S., it’s not safe in Northern Ireland.

Traveling on your own

If you choose to travel elsewhere once the program ends, you are traveling as an individual on your own accord and are no longer the responsibility of CGEE. It is up to you to keep those close to you informed about your travel decisions. Remember, under the terms of your visa, you may only be in the U.K. seven days past the end date of the CGEE program.

During the program, you may decide to travel on your own and visit other regions of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, or other countries. Before you depart, you are expected to inform the program director of your destination and the time of your intended return. For many (and complex reasons), your identity as a U.S. citizen means that you need to be aware of your whereabouts and the attention you draw to yourself. Women often need to take special precautions, especially when traveling on their own.

It is important before, during, and after the program that you keep your parents informed of  your plans. Parents’ concern for your welfare can turn into unnecessary worries when they have little information about where you are or what you are doing.

Again, It is your responsibility to know about and obtain any additional documentation you need for travel outside the areas you visit with your CGEE program. CGEE cannot assist you with travel or visa arrangements to destinations not directly related to the program.

Your Safety Responsibilities   

You have special responsibilities to your family and friends (especially your emergency contacts) while abroad. You should:

Keep Family and Friends Informed

Let family and friends know that you have arrived safely. The morning after you arrive, CGEE will send an email to all program participants’ emergency contacts. However some people at home, especially parents, may appreciate knowing before then that you have arrived safely. In the past, most students have contacted their families the morning after their arrival.

Make a Communication Plan

Make a a plan before you leave with your emergency contacts, and others that details how you will contact them when you have arrived. Share this section of the Handbook with your emergency contacts – you can make a plan together! Your plan should include:

• Who you will contact

o   A few people? One person or more than one person who will contact others?

o   Does everyone know who will be contacting them?

• When you will try to contact them

o   When you are in your connecting airport(s)?

o   As soon as you can after going through Customs?

o   When your program director has met you?

o   When you reach Derry-Londonderry?

• How you will contact them. Keep in mind that:

o   You will not know which will be accessible first: phone, text, or email. Plan to be flexible.

o   There is an outside chance that you may be using someone else’s phone or email account to communicate with your contacts back home.

• What you will do if you cannot reach others when you planned? Our experience is that it is best to:

o   Stay calm and do not panic. Keep in mind that your family knows you are trying.

o   Remember that if you cannot reach people at home, they cannot reach you.

o   Remember that you cannot do anything about technology.

o   Know that if there is a true emergency, the U.S. CGEE office will know and will immediately connect with your emergency contacts!

When making your plan, keep in mind:

• You may not have a signal or internet connection as soon as your plane lands.

• Collecting your baggage may take a half-hour or more.

• Finding a signal or connection for your phone/computer may take a while.

• A lot will be going on and you will be tired!

Remember: You will have help!

• Your program director understands that others may be waiting to hear from you.

• Sharing communication technology with others is possible. In the past, students with connections have allowed others to use their computers or phones. If you borrow a phone, insist on paying international call charges! And be prepared to share with others, of course.

• CGEE has the phone numbers and email addresses of your emergency contacts.

• CGEE staff in the U.S. and Northern Ireland are in close touch with each other at all hours.

• If there is a true emergency, CGEE will be in touch with your emergency contacts immediately.

U.S. Department of State STEP Program  

CGEE will register each participating student with US citizenship with the Department of State “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program” (STEP).

Enrollment in STEP allows the State Department to better assist U.S. citizens in case of emergencies like lost passports. It also allows the U.S. government  to best assist  U.S. citizens in the event of emergencies such as natural disasters.

CGEE's Expectations & Requirements        

To ensure that you understand some of your key responsibilities regarding safety, we are reiterating part of the “Augsburg CGEE Program Agreement" here: If students are advised by program staff of areas that are off-limits due to safety concerns, students must comply with these restrictions, even during free time. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

Students are encouraged to travel together, rather than alone, as a basic safety measure. Hitchhiking is prohibited. Local program staff will have additional advice about safeguards students can exercise to avoid theft, crime or other personal risk.

Expectations for student behavior in all CGEE programs are shaped by the following principles:

• Following the group contract, which outlines the rules for group and individual conduct during the program, as established by students and program staff/faculty at the start of the program...

• Fostering public goodwill to preserve and enhance connections between students and the communities in which they study...

• Sensitivity to cultural norms in the program and field study travel locations…

Students are required to attend, and be on time for, all class sessions unless they are ill or for other emergency reasons, are unable to be present. Grades may be lowered due to a poor attendance record, or a student may be dropped from the program because of persistent absenteeism.

While CGEE wants to allow full participation by all students in all CGEE activities, CGEE also recognizes that a student’s non-compliance of the rules of conduct affects the quality of the experience for all of the students in the program, the internship sites and other community partners, field speakers, and program faculty. CGEE program faculty have full authority to implement consequences for a student’s violation of the rules of conduct.

Select Safe Transport

• Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death of US citizens in foreign countries

• Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.

• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Walking

• Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.

• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.

• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.

• Make sure there are seatbelts.

• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.

• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)

• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.

• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.

• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.

• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.

• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.

• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)

• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).

• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.

If you choose to drive a vehicle in the United Kingdom, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.

Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.

Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.

Flying

• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.

• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.

• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather

It is important to keep your family and friends in the US informed with proper contact information. Share your new contact information as soon as you purchase a phone in Northern Ireland! Parents’ concern for your welfare can turn into unnecessary worries when they have little information about where you are or what you are doing.

If an emergency occurs and your family needs to get a hold of you in Northern Ireland, it is best if your family contacts the CGEE 24/7 Emergency Contact first:

CGEE Minneapolis Office 

• 24/7 Emergency Line: +1 612-817-2830 (call, WhatsApp or text)

CGEE Northern Ireland Emergency Contact

• Nigel Glenny, Program Director: Emergency Phone (after hours): 011 44 7904 305 157