Health & safety
Here at The Intern Group, our interns’ health and well-being are our top priorities. As an organization that promotes international experiences, we understand that while it is exciting for interns to move to a new city, it is also essential for them to be aware of the various cultural differences they may face. We try to prepare our interns as much as possible for these cultural differences by providing them with a welcome pack at the start of their program and 24/7 support from our local staff.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our program participants is our number one priority. Please find our response to COVID-19 here.
First response and crisis management
First and foremost, our in country staff in each destination are comprehensively trained to ensure the safety of your students during their time on the program. Our crisis management procedure – which we call our First Response – has been custom-designed by Control Risks, and our staff are regularly trained and retrained on it. With this 24/7 support in country, we can assure you that the health and well-being of each and every student is of utmost importance and priority to us.
Safety abroad
We recognize the importance of students making informed decisions about overseas travel. We regularly monitor safety and security in each program location and advise students and their universities of any risks that potentially would affect them. The information we act upon is based on the recommendations from the U.S. Department of State’s travel warnings, UK Government, local law enforcement in our overseas destinations, NAFSA and the World Health Organization.
In addition, we have implemented a worldwide policy for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), based on the high standards which the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) developed in order to protect students traveling abroad.
Safety tips
Emergency communication
We insist that each intern has a contact listed on their application whom we can notify in case of emergencies.
Key local contacts
It is equally important that each intern keeps their contact information updated and has the on-site program coordinator’s contact information.
Keeping in touch with home
We encourage our participants to stay in touch with their families and universities so as to keep them updated on their welfare.
Copies of travel documents
We advise that participants make a copy of their passport and carry it with them while leaving their original in a safe place in their accommodations. Interns should also keep travel and medical insurance information with them.
Be smart
Interns are given extensive pre-departure information about their host city and safety procedures. However, it is up to each individual to make smart choices like learning local laws and customs, telling others where they are going, avoiding walking alone at night, and keeping valuable items in safe places.
Standards of behavior
The Intern Group’s standards regarding acceptable behavior are made clear to participants early on. These are firmly reiterated during the welcome orientation, and also are found in the program terms & conditions to which all participants agree.
Useful travel information
We encourage students to bookmark travel sites with useful information as well as regular travel updates on their destination of choice, like the following:
US State Department: Travel Warnings
US State Department Tips for Students Traveling Abroad