Civil Unrest

In 2011, three U.S. university students were arrested in Cairo in connection with protests at Tahrir Square. While these students were eventually released and allowed to leave the country, they put themselves and other U.S. students at extreme risk by choosing to get involved in the political upheaval that was sweeping the country at the time. Civil unrest, political demonstrations and protests have now become a common occurrence in many of the countries where students study abroad. These events can occur quickly and with very little notice and they pose a significant security and safety risk.  While these events may give you the chance to witness history, you need to recognize that you are guests in your host country and should refrain for inserting yourself into an already volatile and potentially dangerous situation.

A few words of advice before you depart:

• Register your travel plans with the U.S. Department of State.
• Go to Apple App or Google Play store and download AlertTraveler to get updates on events that could potentially impact your travel or safety.
• Research and understand the political situation in your host country. Detailed country analysis can be found through the U.S. Department of State and the AlertTraveler App.

and while you are abroad:

• Read the local news and heed all alerts and advice from local program coordinators, the U.S. Department of State and and Worldcue , AU Abroad's traveler safety service.
• Avoid all protests and demonstrations. Period.