DID YOU KNOW that even the ancients liked to shop? Trajan's market was the equivalent of a modern shopping center, housing no less than 150 shops and offices. Most shops were small. Rather than entering the shop, a customer would usually make purchases from the door.
International SOS is the world's leading provider of
medical assistance, international healthcare, security
services and outsourced customer care. SOS is emergency
insurance provided by the UT system (free) to UTD students
pursuing international educational programs. SOS is
NOT health insurance; however, it assists students in
resolving any emergency situation, evacuation, repatriation,
medical assistance in English, etc.
Use your SOS card when you...
Would like to talk to an English speaking doctor
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Need a dispatch of prescription medication
Need a referral to a doctor or dentist for even
the most minor of instances
Have a serious injury and need SOS for an evacuation
or repatriation
The Office of International Education (OIE) requests
proof of health insurance with international coverage
from each student. SOS insurance along with individual
health insurance with international coverage defines
a complete coverage package. For questions or concerns,
please contact our office.
Travel Tips For Students
This information was prepared by the Department of
State's Bureau of Consular Affairs to provide students,
who are planning to travel or study abroad, with a few
reminders about safety.
Although most trips abroad are trouble free, being
prepared will go a long way to avoiding the possibility
of serious trouble.
Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of
the country you plan to visit before you travel.
Remember: Reckless behavior while in another country
can do more than ruin your vacation; it can land you
in a foreign jail or worse! To have a safe trip, avoid
risky behavior and plan ahead.
Apply early for your passport and, if necessary,
any visas. Passports are required to enter and/or depart most
countries around the world. Apply for a passport as
soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens
to obtain visas before entering. Most countries require
visitors who are planning to study or work abroad to
obtain visas before entering. Check with the embassy
of the foreign country that you are planning to visit
for up-to-date visa and other entry requirements. (Passport
and visa information is available on the Internet at
travel.state.gov.)
Learn about the countries that you plan to visit.
Before departing, take the time to do some research
about the people and their culture, and any problems
that the country is experiencing that may affect your
travel plans. The Department of State publishes Background
Notes on about 170 countries. These brief, factual
pamphlets contain information on each country's culture,
history, geography, economy, government, and current
political situation. Background
Notes are available at www.state.gov.
Read the Consular Information Sheet.
Consular Information Sheets provide
up-to-date travel information on any country in the
world that you plan to visit. They cover topics such
as entry regulations, the crime and security situation,
drug penalties, road conditions, and the location of
the U.S. embassy, consulates,
and consular agencies.
Check for Travel Warnings and Public Announcements.
Travel Warnings recommend U.S. citizens defer travel
to a country because of dangerous conditions. Public
Announcements provide fast-breaking information about
relatively short-term conditions that may pose risks
to the security of travelers.
Find out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate. If you are traveling to a remote area or one that
is experiencing civil unrest, find out the location
of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and register
with the Consular Section when you arrive. ( U.S. embassy
and consulate locations can be found in the country's
Consular Information Sheet.) If your family needs to
reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message
to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services
at 202-647-5225. This office will contact the embassy
or consulate in the country where you are traveling
and pass a message from your family to you. Remember
consular officers cannot cash checks, lend money or
serve as your attorney. They can, however, if the need
arises, assist you in obtaining emergency funds from
your family, help you find an attorney, help you find
medical assistance, and replace your lost or stolen
passport.
Find out what information your school offers.
Find out whether your school offers additional information
for students who are planning to study, travel, or work
abroad. Many student advisors can provide you with information
about studying or working abroad. They may also be able
to provide you with information on any travel benefits
for students (e.g. how to save money on transportation
and accommodations, and other resources.)
Before committing yourself or your finances, find
out about the organization and what it offers. The majority of private programs for vacation,
study or work abroad are reputable and financially sound.
However, some charge exorbitant fees, use deliberately
false "educational" claims, and provide working
conditions far different from those advertised. Even
programs of legitimate organizations can be poorly administered.
Telephone - Dial the Office of
Overseas Citizens Services at 202-647-5225.
Mail - Send a self-addressed,
stamped business-size envelope to: Overseas Citizens
Services, Room 4811, Department of State, Washington,
DC 20520-4818. On the outside envelope, write the
name of the country or countries needed in the lower
left corner.
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and
visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the
emergency information page of your passport!
Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public
Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for
the countries you plan to visit.
Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page
and visas with family or friends at home, so that
you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Keep
your host program informed of your whereabouts.
Make sure you have insurance that will cover your
emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation)
while you are overseas.
Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs
of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember,
while in a foreign country, you are subject to its
laws!
Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas
and never accept packages from strangers.
While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking
excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating
with people who do.
Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous
clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive
amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange
money to avoid violating local laws.
When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations
that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments
may be expressed.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10679
Bureau of Consular Affair
September 2000
Travel Warning on Drugs
Abroad Things You Should Know Before You Go Abroad
HARD FACTS
Each year, 2,500 Americans are arrested overseas. One
third of the arrests are on drug-related charges. Many
of those arrested assumed as U.S. citizens that they
could not be arrested. From Asia to Africa, Europe to
South America, U.S. citizens are finding out the hard
way that drug possession or trafficking equals jail
in foreign countries.
There is very little that anyone can do to help you
if you are caught with drugs.
It is your responsibility to know what the drug laws
are in a foreign country before you go, because "I didn't
know it was illegal" will not get you out of jail.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the
number of women arrested abroad. The rise is a result
of women who serve as drug couriers or "mules" in the
belief they can make quick money and have a vacation
without getting caught. Instead of a short vacation,
they get a lengthy stay or life sentence in a foreign
jail.
A number of the Americans arrested abroad on drug charges
in 1994 possessed marijuana. Many of these possessed
one ounce or less of the substance. The risk of being
put in jail for just one marijuana cigarette is not
worth it.
If you are purchasing prescription medications in quantities
larger than that considered necessary for personal use,
you could be arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Once you're arrested, the American consular officer
CANNOT get you out!
You may say "it couldn't happen to me" but the fact
is that it could happen to you if you find yourself
saying one of the following:
... "I'm an American citizen and no foreign government
can put me in their jail."
... "If I only buy or carry a small amount, it won't
be a problem."
If you are arrested on a
drug charge it is important that you know what your
government CAN and CANNOT do for you.
The U.S. Consular Officer CAN
visit you in jail after being notified of your arrest.
give you a list of local attorneys. (The U.S.
Government cannot assume responsibility for the professional
ability or integrity of these individuals or recommend
a particular attorney.)
notify your family and/or friends and relay requests
for money or other aid -- but only with your authorization
.
intercede with local authorities to make sure that
your rights under local law are fully observed and
that you are treated humanely, according to internationally
accepted standards.
protest mistreatment or abuse to the appropriate
authorities.
The U.S. Consular Officer CANNOT
demand your immediate release or get you out of
jail or the country!
represent you at trial or give legal counsel.
pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government
funds.
If you are caught buying,
selling, carrying or using drugs -- from hashish to
heroin, marijuana to mescaline, cocaine to quaaludes,
to designer drugs like testacy...
It could mean:
Interrogation and Delays Before
Trial - including mistreatment and solitary confinement
for up to one year under very primitive conditions.
Lengthy Trials - conducted
in a foreign language, with delays and postponements.
Weeks, Months or Life in Prison
- some places include hard labor, heavy fines, and/or
lashings, if found guilty.
The Death Penalty - in
a growing number of countries (e.g., Malaysia, Pakistan
and Turkey).
Although drug laws vary from country to country, it
is important to realize before you make the mistake
of getting involved with drugs that foreign countries
do not react lightly to drug offenders. In some countries,
anyone who is caught with even a very small quantity
for personal use may be tried and receive the same sentence
as the large-scale trafficker.
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
February 2000
