Personal Safety

The safety, security, and well-being of study abroad students are of the utmost importance to LPI. For that reason, students must abide by the LPI Code of Conduct while abroad, which includes following a set curfew and prohibits the use of any drugs or alcohol. While neither LPI nor LPI's affiliate universities can guarantee a risk-free environment, all efforts are made to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of the students and faculty throughout the duration of the program. LPI follows prudent measures to verify that all transportation, lodging, medical facilities, communications, and emergency responses are in place to provide a safe environment for its students. While LPI is firmly committed to the provision of this support, we also emphasize to students, faculty, and parents that all students must take responsibility for their own safety, security, and well-being. This means using common sense, being aware of their surroundings, and not putting themselves in compromising situations.

Medical Insurance and Student Health

Prior to departure, students submit a medical history form to LPI so that the staff can be prepared to accommodate any health concerns. The LPI resident staff abroad is equipped to help students receive quality medical care in the event of illness or injury. Comprehensive medical insurance is also included in the program price and covers the student for the official on-site period of the program. For detailed information about medical insurance click here.

LPI Staff Support

The LPI U.S.-based staff is available Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:30 Central Time, to answer questions that might arise before the program starts, as well as during the program. Students and parents should feel free to call and inquire about the specific programs. After acceptance into the program students and parents will receive abundant program-specific information and recommendations in the form of orientation handbooks prior to the program departure date.

LPI On-Call

LPI employs native-born personnel at the majority of the international sites. Most were raised in the host city and all, without exception, are highly knowledgeable about the available facilities, customs, support services, and local people. A staff of anywhere from 1 to 6 LPI full-time employees are available 24/7 to respond to the needs of the students. The staff conducts on-site orientations to welcome students as well as to discuss cultural expectations, safety concerns, guidelines for daily living, and the specific city and country where the students will be studying. Each staff member has a cell phone, at least two land-lines, and email services at their disposal. Staff members make an effort to be accessible to students at all times. Each student is provided with an Emergency Contact Card upon arrival in-country containing the names and phone numbers of all LPI staff, the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate information, the recommended local hospital, and the local equivalent to the emergency 911 number.

Global Awareness

LPI understands that global safety issues are an ever-present concern in this day and age. At all times, the LPI resident staff abroad is in close contact with the U.S. embassy in each program country and is ready to respond to situations that might arise. LPI also closely follows the guidelines of the U.S. Department of State and will support students throughout the process of returning to the United States in the event of a crisis.

Please consider visiting the following websites for more information about student health and safety during the study abroad experience:

LPI Health and Safety Document (size: 61KB)
Study Abroad Safety Handbook
Department of State, Tips for Students Studying Abroad
Department of State, Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets