2023 Spring Break

Spring Break is from Monday, March 13, 2023 through Sunday, March 19, 2023. If you will travel outside the U.S. during this time consider taking enhanced precautions, follow standard travel advice, and prepare for an emergency.

This post provides general guidance for the UT Dallas community. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.

Take Enhanced Precautions

• Spring Break in Mexico. Each year, thousands of U.S. citizens visit Mexico during Spring Break. While the vast majority of travelers have safe and enjoyable trips, Spring Break travel can sometimes include unforeseen problems. Monitor the security alerts from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to learn more about identified risks and recommendations for this Spring Break, and carefully read recommendations by state in the country advisory.
• Many popular holiday travel destinations have a risk of mosquito borne, food borne, and water borne diseases and other illnesses. Check the CDC’s Travel Information page for travel health notices, and sign up to get travel notices and healthy travel tips.
• Cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns. Travelers from diverse regions brought together in often crowded, semi-enclosed environments on board ships can facilitate the spread of person-to-person, food borne, or water borne diseases, and vaccine preventable diseases. Check the CDC Cruise Ship Travel page to learn more about preventative actions you can take.
• Review the appropriate Country Information for identified risks and learn more about preventative actions you can take.

Standard Travel Advice

• Be transportation smart
  • Motor vehicle crashes are a significant source of injury and death in all countries. Check your where your destination stands on road safety with the PulizerCenter map Roads Kill.
  • Follow these tips to minimize your risk of being injured on the road while you’re on vacation.
  • Use licensed and regulated taxis, or authorized rideshare services.
• Be water smart
  • Traveling can provide the opportunity to enjoy many water-related activities, but there is also a risk of injury or illness.
  • Travelers, even expert swimmers, may not be aware of the water risks and features at their destination which increases the risk of drowning. Check CDC Water Safety Abroad.
• Stay healthy
  • Check CDC health notices for your destination.
  • Get proper nutrition, stay hydrated, and follow food and water safety guidelines. Visit the CDC Food and Water Safety page.
  • Consider prudent choices when it comes to alcohol, altitude, and other scenarios that can inhibit judgement.
  • Prevent mosquito bites. Visit the CDC Avoid Bug Bites page. Use insect repellents.  Find the repellent that is right for you.
  • Follow the CDC advise on: Traveling Abroad for the Holidays, and  Travel to Mass Gatherings.
  • Use sunscreen. Keep your eyes protected; wear sunglasses.
• Obey the local laws. Do your research before you go!
  • Don’t purchase, use or import/export drugs. Many U.S. citizens overseas are arrested for pursuing this kind of activity, and the U.S. State Department/Embassy will not bail you out.
  • Avoid participating in demonstrations and other political activities. Don’t stay to observe, nor take pictures.
• Be cautious
  • Don’t reveal personal information and plans when talking to strangers.
  • Avoid overt displays of money or wealth.
  • If someone or something seems suspicious, remove yourself from the situation and if needed seek assistance.
• If you are an international student
  • Review the information on the ISSO Travel webpage, and if you have questions
  • Contact an ISSO immigration advisor.

Prepare for an Emergency

Know how to get local alerts, warnings or emergency updates while at your destination

In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. Access diverse information sources.

• If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, you have received an invitation to download the On Call International app, do so.
• Enroll in the U.S. Department of State STEP program if a U.S. Citizen, or to a similar program with your home country embassy at your destination.
• Search in the appropriate Country Information sheet for local sources of alerts and warnings and subscribe to them.
• Learn how your hotel will provide you with alerts, warnings and instructions in case of emergency.
• Learn what local TV or radio stations to follow for information or official instructions as they become available.

Know how to get emergency assistance abroad

Emergencies can happen at any time, determine who you will call first, second, third, etc.

• If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, 
  • You can get Emergency or Travel Assistance by calling On Call International 24/7 to +1-978 651 9722.  Identify yourself as a UT Dallas faculty, staff or student.
  • Review your employee or student insurance information. 
• If engaging on personal travel, we recommend you obtain travel and medical insurance that can cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and unexpected expenses such as trip interruption or lost luggage.
• Have with you at all times the phone number of your travel and emergency assistance provider.
• Search in the appropriate Country Information, and have with you at all times the:
  • Local phone number equivalent for 911, and the
  • Your country’s Consulate or Embassy phone number for emergencies.

Know who are your emergency contacts back home

• Determine who you want to be contacted in the event of serious injury, illness, or death.
• Make sure all your emergency contacts know what your wishes are in the event of your serious injury or death.
• Ensure your emergency contacts can get in touch with each other and with key contacts, such as your country’s embassy at your location.
• Ensure your emergency contacts have your trip and activities itinerary.

Know how to get in touch with your emergency contacts back at home

• Get an international call plan for the time you will be abroad.
• Have your emergency contacts phone numbers in your mobile device.
• Determine alternate ways of communicating with your emergency contacts.

This post provides general guidance for the UTD community. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.

---

Tags

---

Related Posts

---