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The Center for Global Education promotes international education to foster cross-cultural awareness, cooperation and understanding. Living and working effectively in a global society requires learning with an international perspective.

We promote this type of learning by collaborating with colleges, universities and other organizations around the world.
SAFETI Clearinghouse: Safety Abroad First Education Travel Information
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Resources for Program Administrators

About Drugs and Alcohol

Policy Information:

The amount and severity of drug and alcohol use and abuse that occur on colleges and universities in the United States will be reflected in study abroad programs. A thorough screening process, however, can help reduce the risk of alcohol and drug related problems arising abroad. As part of the application process, administrators could consider getting written consent from the students to access campus records such as student conduct reports. They might also encourage students to include experience with drug or alcohol treatment in their medical background. Administrators may wish to contact university counsel to ensure that all programs comply with the 1998 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. (NAFSA’s Guide to Education Abroad for Advisors and Administrators, 2nd ed., p.221.)

Alcohol abuse abroad may occur because of a lower drinking age, a mistaken impression of how alcohol is used abroad, or a desire to fit in. Pre-study abroad orientation sessions should address these issues along with the consequences of drug or alcohol abuse abroad. It should be made clear to students that if they violate local alcohol and drug laws abroad, the U.S. government can do very little to help them legally. In addition, administrators should inform student that use and abuse of drugs and alcohol increases their risk of possible injury, assault, and even death.

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