UK Education Abroad emphasizes in the importance of communication to all program participants. During the pre-departure orientation process, UK Education Abroad encourages students to communicate with their program director regarding any and all issues that arise during the program, including course content, cultural adjustment, health and safety incidents, and group dynamics. However, sometimes students are not comfortable sharing information with the program director (e.g., when a participant would be most comfortable talking to someone of his/her own gender). UK Education Abroad invites students to contact their EA advisor, their academic advisor, or another member of the university community during times of stress and uncertainty. Although UK Sponsored program directors are the primary responsible University agent abroad, program directors and students have the support of the entirety of the University of Kentucky, including but not limited to the UK Counseling Center, Dean of Students, VIP: Violence and Intervention Prevention Center, etc.
UK Education Abroad has a primary goal of ensuring that students are healthy and safe and that faculty members are healthy, safe, and protected from liability. If a significant incident or emergency occurs while abroad, proper documentation facilitates clear communication among the program director, the student, UK Education Abroad, parents, and other campus entities if needed. The following are types of incidents should be documented as soon as feasible. Documentation and communication regarding incidents and emergencies should take place as soon as possible after the immediate needs of those involved in the emergency are addressed. Specific protocol regarding emergencies abroad will be provided to program directors during UK Sponsored Director Pre-Departure Orientation.
Uncharacteristic disruptiveness by a student
Illness/injury requiring medical attention
Law enforcement action
This list is not exhaustive—when in doubt, document and communicate with UK Education Abroad.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of students’ education records. Typically, students’ education records may not be disclosed without their explicit permission to anyone who is not a school official with a legitimate educational interest. However, given the sometimes complex nature of the education abroad process in terms of financial, academic, and health/safety concerns, many students choose to waive their FERPA rights and designate particular people, usually family members, as financial and emergency contacts with whom Education Abroad staff and program directors may discuss a student’s record. If a program director is contacted by someone who wishes to discuss a particular student, please contact UK Education Abroad to consult about how to handle the situation.