About SFS

Safety & Student Life

student Safety

The health and safety of students is our top priority. While safety can never be guaranteed, SFS is recognized in the industry for our diligent approach to risk assessment, mitigation, and management, ensuring a robust system to protect and enhance the student experience. 

Health & Safety Systems

Our structured risk management program carefully oversees the itineraries and logistics of students’ daily activities. With a small number of programs, we are able to provide detailed attention to each one, tailoring our risk management strategies to the specific needs of each field station. This flexibility allows us to adapt quickly and effectively to the dynamic changes of the natural and political world, preventing and responding to risks in a sound and timely manner.

Student Preparation

SFS is committed to preparing students for the unique challenges and rewards of studying abroad in a new environment. To ensure a smooth transition, we provide clear expectations regarding environmental and cultural awareness, personal responsibility, conduct, and health and safety. Upon acceptance, students receive a comprehensive Field Preparation Guide that details SFS policies, strategies for managing personal safety, in-country health guidelines, and advice for cultural adjustment. Before departure, we conduct thorough medical screenings to determine how we can best support and accommodate any medical needs. Once on campus, students participate in a thorough orientation where they are introduced to the local community and culture, learn essential safety practices, become familiar with SFS policies, and are provided with confidential channels for voicing concerns.

Staff Training

Given the remote locations of many SFS Centers, numerous SFS staff members are certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid to ensure they are prepared to respond effectively in emergencies. Each SFS program also has a full-time, on-campus Health and Wellness Manager who is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Sexual Assault First Responder, and the primary medical responder. In addition to their medical responsibilities, Health and Wellness Managers coordinate program logistics, facilitate community outreach, support students in adjusting to group dynamics and life abroad, and oversee on-site risk assessment and management.

Communication

Each SFS field station is equipped with communications equipment, including cell phones, internet access, and a satellite phone. SFS Headquarters maintains a 24-hour emergency contact system and is in close contact with the staff at each field station. It is important to note that internet may occasionally be unavailable due to local provider or satellite issues.

While on-program, we do encourage students to ‘disconnect’ from their devices and social media platforms in order to fully experience their time abroad.

Global Monitoring

SFS adheres to the Forum on Education Abroad Standards of Good Practice and continually monitors global risk and security using a variety of external resources, including the U.S. State Department and Overseas Security Advisory Council. These resources and diligent monitoring enable SFS to adapt to the dynamic changes of the natural and political world and mitigate and respond to risk quickly and effectively.

Emergency Action Plans

Each SFS Center has a Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) that comprehensively documents emergency response protocols and contingency plans. The protocols list the locations and contact details for nearby medical clinics, advanced medical care, and emergency evacuation services while also providing our staff, who are trained in wilderness medicine, with guidance on how to respond to incidents or emergencies.

Diversity & Inclusion

SFS values the inclusion of all students, including those who are marginalized or underrepresented as a result of their racial and/or ethnic identity, members of the LGBTQ+ community, first generation college students, and students from all underserved areas. SFS encourages students of all backgrounds to study abroad.

During program orientation, SFS staff provide students with information on the local community and culture, including local attitudes toward different beliefs, values, and lifestyles. Students should recognize that, while on-program, they may be challenged by vastly different beliefs and boundaries than they are used to in their home communities. SFS encourages students with country-specific questions to reach out to SFS Admissions.

Race & Ethnicity

Supporting students who are underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized as a result of their racial and/or ethnic identity is critical to SFS’ mission and identity. This includes both here in the U.S., at students’ home institutions, and in the countries that students travel to with SFS. Some students have reported that their time abroad has given them an opportunity to think about their identity in a new cultural context; others have reported feeling familiar or new types of discrimination. Very often, both are true and challenging. SFS considers seriously the varied forms of support it can offer, in each stage of a student’s time with us, to create a resource-rich, diverse, inclusive, and equitable experience in which all SFS students belong.

First-Generation College Students

SFS is here to support students who are the first in their families to attend a four-year college or university to attain a bachelor’s degree. We have many resources to help our students fund, plan, and prepare for their study abroad experience, and to help students communicate the importance of study abroad as part of a college career to friends and family.

Gender Identity and LGBTQIA+

SFS welcomes members of the LGBTQIA+ community. While we work diligently to provide an open and safe space on our program campuses, we do ask all students to understand and respect that sexual orientation and identity may be viewed differently within the local community where they are living and studying. Please be aware that country- or region-specific laws or culture may limit individual self-expression while in the local community. Please contact Admissions for more information on housing and local community views across our program countries.

Students with Disabilities

Students requesting physical and health accommodations should contact Admissions. Students requesting learning accommodations should contact the SFS Office of Academic Affairs. SFS will work with students, home schools, and physicians to determine the required level of accommodation and whether or not it can be safely and reasonably maintained on program. While SFS strives to make accommodations for most disabilities, due to the remote nature of our programs, there are varying levels of accessibility, services, and accommodations at each SFS Center.

Religion

SFS strives to support students in their religious observance and expression while on-program. It is important for students to research the religious traditions of the host country they plan to travel to, as well as what the local attitudes toward other religions might be. Due to the structured nature of SFS programs and our remote locations around the world, it may not be feasible to accommodate certain observances, dietary needs, and practices.

Accommodating Students with Disabilities

Students requesting physical and health accommodations should contact Admissions. Students requesting learning accommodations should contact the SFS Office of Academic Affairs. SFS will work with students, home schools, and physicians to determine the required level of accommodation and whether or not it can be safely and reasonably maintained on-program. While SFS strives to make accommodations for most disabilities, due to the remote nature of our programs, there are varying levels of accessibility, services, and accommodations at each SFS center.

Mental Health

Studying abroad can be an exciting and energizing time for students. It can also present myriad challenges, including adjustment to a new culture and daily routine, unfamiliarity with the local environment, forming of new relationships, and a lack of familiar support systems. In addition, SFS programs operate in remote regions with delayed access to medical care and limited or absent mental health resources.

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Students with mental health conditions are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their physician, mental health provider, or the SFS Student Life Department prior to participation on an SFS program. Students who undergo regular counseling or therapy should verify that their mental health provider is available via phone, email, or other means of telecommunication while the student is abroad. SFS will also work with students to develop a set of coping strategies that can be utilized while studying abroad, in addition to preparing them for what to expect in their individual host countries.

After being accepted to an SFS program, students are expected to complete the SFS Medical Approval Process. This review is designed to inform SFS staff on the medical and mental health needs or accommodations that may be required. The review is not meant to exclude, but to inform and allow support systems to be put in place. Should SFS have any concerns about accommodations for a particular physical or mental health condition, the student and the student’s physician or mental health provider will be contacted to discuss strategies for successful program participation.

Inaccurate or incomplete information on any of the SFS medical forms may be grounds for rescinding an offer of admission, recalling a student from the program, or restricting student participation in certain activities. In addition, students are responsible for informing SFS of any changes to their health status or medication dosage that occur after submission of SFS medical forms.

Dietary Needs and Prefrences

SFS is able to accommodate most dietary needs, but students will find that the variety of food may be limited due to local availability, cultural practice, and cost. Additionally, during homestays or traveling portions of the program, options may be further limited. Students with a medically necessary dietary requirement should contact Admissions within one week of acceptance. All dietary restrictions or preferences (e.g. gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.) should be noted on the Student Life Survey and Health History Form or discussed with the Student Life Department.

Physical Rigor

Field work by its very nature is physically arduous; the days are long, the traveling seldom comfortable, and creature comforts generally lacking. In order to withstand the pace and rigors of the program, as well as health risks specific to the country or region, it is strongly advised that all students be in good physical health. Physical conditioning prior to the start of the program is encouraged. Students should address existing or chronic medical issues before arriving in-country. Due to the remote nature of the program, medical care is not always easily accessible. While SFS strives to make accommodations for most disabilities, due to the remote nature of the programs, there are varying levels of accessibility, services, and accommodations at each SFS Center.