Primary Health, Safety and Security Resources

All UI travelers are asked to carefully consider health, safety and security issues related to their international travel plans prior to departure. The resources below are key public resources available to help travelers understand and assess relative risks abroad.

  1. The U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS)
  2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  3. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety Reports

These, and additional sources, are consulted when international education program proposals are considered for administration by UI Study Abroad.

For Students

All students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa will be asked to complete an online pre-departure course which covers steps students can take to understand and mitigate risks while planning for a healthy, safe and secure time abroad.

Emergency resources are shared in a mandatory ICON online pre-departure course that students are enrolled in prior to international travel under the auspices of UI.

University of Iowa Study Abroad does not approve student travel to any location for which either U.S. DOS or the CDC advise U.S. citizens not to travel. Additional restrictions on high-risk travel and high-risk activities abroad can be found in the UI Travel Policy for Students.

Consult the Health Preparation Guide. Do not turn this in to International Programs, but rather use it as a tool to consider your unique medical and medication needs and steps you will take to address those needs while abroad. Meeting with your healthcare provider before travel is strongly advised.