In light of recent events around the country and the world, the topic of student and community safety at colleges and universities is becoming even more pressing. In particular, study abroad safety concerns have become a top priority. From the group of 52 students studying abroad in Paris from my school, the George Washington University, nine chose to end their time abroad early and finish their coursework for the semester at home in the U.S.
While there is a limited amount of protection a parent can provide from across the country or, in the case of a student studying abroad, across the globe, when a student is away from home, it is the institution’s responsibility to provide a strong sense of protection. With that in mind, here are three tips for effectively talking about safety to both parents and prospects:
- When speaking to parents, focus on outlining the exact safety features your institution offers. While instilling the idea that parents have something to fear is not the goal, they will feel more comfortable knowing that the institution is prepared for different situations, crisis or not.
- When speaking to prospective undergraduates, point out that safety features exist, and give examples, but more importantly, emphasize the strength in the campus community. Prospects will feel comfort in the idea of a cohesive student body that serves as emotional protection.
- Do not provide conflicting ideas about safety to different audiences. While it may seem tempting to market your institution to prospects as a fun place to spend four years and reserve the safety talk for parents, both parties will pick up on this disparity, which will lead to confusion in the institution’s overall message.
