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At IAESTE United States, we understand your concern about your child's safety during an international internship, especially during the potential threats of terrorism.
The information below on this page will provide you with:
NOTE: This section of our Web site will be revised to account for the ever-changing world situation and its effect on IAESTE work abroad programs.
These pages will inform you of significant developments in the services and programs we offer with a specific emphasis on health and safety. We will post news on an ongoing basis and welcome you to visit this site as often as you like.
Background Information on IAESTE United States and Our Commitment to Safety
IAESTE United States is the U.S. affiliate of an international exchange organization that is active in more than 80 countries. IAESTE United States is operated by the Association for International Practical Training (AIPT), a private non-profit organization located in Columbia, Maryland. IAESTE United States has been sending students abroad since 1950. During this time, we have sent more than 6000 students abroad. The organization, IAESTE United States, has been in existence since 1948 and currently conducts over 5000 international internship exchanges per year. Throughout those 57 years, IAESTE United States has successfully and safely sent Americans overseas during a variety of wars and conflict including Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, the invasion of Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, and various other U.S. military involvements over the years.
In 2002, IAESTE United States sent more than 100 university students overseas for internships to over 30 member countries. In 2003, during the war in Iraq, approximately 120 students traveled to 37 different countries. Now, more than ever, we are committed to the safety of our students going overseas, as well as the safety of the international students coming to the United States.
In addition to our U.S. support staff, all of our students have in-country IAESTE contacts to assist them during their internship. These contacts are residents of the country and provide us with valuable, country-specific and timely information on political, economic, and health situations of the host country. They also serve as resources to help our students with any problems or concerns. These national offices often have chapters of their organization in various locations around the country. These chapters provide our students with services including housing, reception, and a peer-to-peer social network. Our counterparts continue to assist us in assessing the safety and security of our work abroad programs. This is even more valuable during the uncertainty of international events.
IAESTE United States is a group of dedicated working professionals, who keep abreast of international issues, news, and political events. In addition, all IAESTE United States employees are active members of NAFSA, the Association of International Educators. We attend regional and national conferences, as well as monitor international education list servs, that provide us with the most up-to-date information about best practices in international education. Furthermore, we adhere to the guidelines set forth by NAFSA's Interorganizational Task Force on Safety and Responsibility in Study Abroad. This task force works with a group of distinguished international educators to draft and disseminate statements of good practice intended to protect the well-being of the thousands of students who study abroad each year.
The Director and Program Manager for Outbound Students at IAESTE United States regularly receive U.S. State Department consular information sheets, public announcements, and other government warnings via the internet as well as other various publications and Web-based safety and security resources in an effort to widen the sources of information and make informed decisions about our programs.
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Student Safety During Conflicts
During times of conflict and crisis, we grow concerned about our own safety, as well as the safety of our families and friends. At all times, safety is of primary importance for all of our programs, and during times of conflict, special procedures are put into place.
To ensure our participants' safety, we have taken the following measures:
- Maintain close contact and communication with our IAESTE counterparts around the world.
- Receive U.S. State Department and other governmental travel warnings and updates daily.
- Continue our education on the newest safety measures taken in international education through a variety of sources.
- Address potential risks on a country by country basis to determine the final placement of our students.
- Keep an open dialogue between students and our placement staff to assess in-country situations.
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Overview of Some of the Materials and Resources Provided to Our Students
All IAESTE students working abroad receive information regarding health and safety issues.
We encourage you to verse yourself fully with our safety procedures and guidelines found on the Information for Participants page and the Safety Links and Resources page of our Web site to find a comprehensive list of links related to health and safety of students.
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Things You Can Do:
- Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Web site for updated current country information.
- Establish a communication plan with your child before she or he departs.
- Do research with your child before his or her departure on the country's culture, customs, and laws.
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Contact Information to Address Questions and Concerns
We understand that for some this is a great deal of information to digest, and in some cases we may not cover a specific concern that you may have. If for some reason we have not answered your questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact us.
E-mail: outbound@aipt.org
Phone: 410.997.3069
Fax: 410.997.5186
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