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Health and Safety

“CEPA is there to prevent the problems. There is no reaction but a very proactive approach from CEPA. I would not go with any other organization.”

Eddie Smith, Director of Internships and Study Abroad, Clemson University

Studying abroad means coming into contact with different ways of life and surroundings. The health, safety, and well-being of our participants, faculty leaders and staff is our number one priority. Being informed and prepared as best as we can to handle unexpected situations, no matter how small or large, are key factors that can help ensure the success of CEPA program participants.

With over 30 years of experience, CEPA has a well-established health, safety and security department in place to manage preparedness through research, assessment and training, to reduce risk, to prioritize individual participant and group health & safety, as well as to manage emergency situations.

Below is an FAQ concerning our proactive approach to the health, safety and security of all participants. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss particular concerns, feel free to contact us directly.

CEPA’s comprehensive crisis management plan contains protocols to be implemented in the event of cases ranging from basic and common incidents to extensive crisis. It outlines the steps CEPA will follow in the event of a crisis and serves as a guideline of expectations for the CEPA teams in the head office and on-site. It helps also to ensure that effective communication, decision-making, and task execution run smoothly.

Internal protocols and guidelines concerning the Emergency Phone, Emergency Action Plans, special considerations for Title IX cases, best practices, and management of student data are in place to train and inform the CEPA team.

Program housing is carefully selected on the basis of reputation, location, surroundings, and accessibility.

Transportation companies contracted for our programs are reputable and licensed to operate. Every type of transportation option is evaluated and the most efficient, statistically safe, and convenient means of transportation are arranged.

Industry best practices inform our internal processes for vetting all venues, contributors, activities, and destinations.

In collaboration with our Terra Education colleagues, our dedicated Risk Management team utilizes industry networking, third-party consultants and internal and external reviews to create policies and procedures designed to mitigate risk and promote a safe and healthy environment. Travel alerts and warnings are continually monitored from multiple sources, including U.S. embassies, reliable news sources, and industry resources. CEPA is a member of Pulse International, OSAC, the Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA, and Cornerstone Safety Group.

A wide network of local program staff acts as our “eyes and ears“ to personally assess on-site situations.

Additionally, we strongly recommend that program participants and faculty leaders enroll in their own country’s overseas travel programs before they leave home.

Students from the USA: 

Students from the CANADA: 

Emergency contact details of faculty leaders and participants, as well as the protocols and procedures of our partner institutions, are requested prior to departure.

Clear communication channels are established before, during, and after the program with our head office & on-site CEPA teams, partner university contacts, faculty leaders, and program participants. The most common methods of communication are connecting through the CEPA App, contacting the CEPA Emergency phone number, and alerting staff through official chat functions and email. All stakeholders have access to the CEPA Emergency phone, which is also listed on the CEPA website for easy access.

Special care is taken to protect participant privacy and ensure excellent record-keeping. Communication protocols are established and followed to ensure all authorized stakeholders are informed of key details concerning each case and situation.

Upon arrival, program participants and faculty leaders attend an orientation session by the CEPA on-site team, during which they learn what to do in an emergency situation and receive the contact information for emergency assistance. Information concerning the local environment and recommendations for staying safe and having a successful experience on the program are shared during the orientation.

Furthermore, we instruct all students to:

  • provide emergency contact information
  • keep CEPA informed of their travel plans
  • keep their cell phones turned on and with them at all times
  • take particular care of their passport and leave copies with family and CEPA staff
  • take responsibility for monitoring the local situation and taking steps to avoid incidents.
  • monitor program communication channels and respond promptly to calls for action from the CEPA team
CEPA Emergency Support Number

CEPA has an emergency phone number available while groups are traveling.
Emergency support number: +49 (0) 176 61 39 06 13