The Study Abroad office stays current with the do-not-travel list, offered by the U.S. Department of State, in order to better assure safety for programs. But students traveling abroad for leisure also should be aware of unsafe countries, said Dianne De Salvo, director of Study Abroad.

Tips to traveling abroad •Look for travel warnings and alerts at travel.state.gov •Check the Center for Disease Control’s Web site at cdc.gov •Visit a travel clinic to learn about vaccinations needed •Read the paper from the country to which you are traveling •Do your research on not only the destination countries, but also the ones traveled through •Stay in hostels, if possible, to save money

Two warning lists to keep tabs on are Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings. A travel alert means there is a danger to American citizens, De Salvo said.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal are a few countries also on the Travel Warnings list.

“When they put up a travel warning, it’s serious,” she said.

So when students decide they want to travel abroad, it is important to do all the research involved before traveling.

This also is something to keep in mind when planning for spring break, De Salvo said, explaining how it is important to be properly prepared before traveling and not just pick a destination and go.

By visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Web site, travel.state.gov, students can look at the latest travel warnings and alerts. Those lists also are on the Web site for CMU’s Study Abroad office.

The Center for Disease Control’s Web site, cdc.gov, is another to watch for.

“There’s risk in travel, and we all know that,” De Salvo said. “You’re going to be careful. You’re going to learn about the country before you go.”

Travel alerts are not as serious as warnings. They usually expire, but could be posted because there is a possibility of protests or something of that nature, De Salvo said.

For example, on Jan. 29, a travel alert was posted for India because of ongoing concerns of groups planning terrorist attacks there. That alert expires April 30.

De Salvo said “Let’s Go Travel Guides” also are helpful for travel. The books give ideas for where to go when visiting other countries.

“Do your homework,” De Salvo said. “Read the paper from the country.”

Travel clinic

Knowing the dangers and concerns of various countries is one thing, but putting that knowledge into use is another.

One place that can help students find information is the Travel Clinic, part of University Health Services in Foust Hall.

When someone makes an appointment with the travel clinic, the visit includes a review of the travel itinerary, personal health history and immunization status, said Lori Wangberg, health educator for Health Services.

Depending on where the individual is traveling, a list of recommendations would be made.

“They are specific to travel needs. We stay up-to-date on diseases and outbreaks,” Wangberg said. “It’s specific to their health, and specifically where they are traveling and how they can protect themselves.”

Those traveling never know what they will run into in another country. Falling ill at home is bad enough, but falling ill in a foreign country is even worse, said Sarah Yonder, a physician for Health Services.

“When you are in another country, you can come down with a lot of different illnesses,” she said. “(Visiting a travel clinic) is just another line of defense and protection.”

It is recommended individuals schedule an appointment eight weeks ahead of time to give the staff enough time to research the area and look up which vaccines will be needed, Wangberg said.

It takes a few weeks for immunizations to take effect.