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HEALTH AND SAFETY
Importance of Health and SafetyThere should be little doubt in our minds, that after the events of September 11th 2001 our world has changed. Yet, we all agree that study abroad remains an integral part of the globalization process. Why? Study abroad continues to enriches our lives but importantly, it helps us truly engage with the outside world. In this way, we as part of the global community can learn about other communities and cultures with the view that such understanding can only contribute to world peace. As part of the AEC mission to promote study abroad to Australian/NZ universities, the AEC is mindful of the safety and well being of AEC students whilst in Australia/NZ. While Australia/NZ is considered to be one of the safest destinations in the world for study abroad, the AEC believes it cannot be complacent. There are therefore, certain steps that the AEC takes in ensuring the best possible pre-departure, on-arrival and on-going health and safety advice for AEC students. Students, parents and their advisors should also note that before a student leaves their home school, the AEC sends to students a copy of the most up-to-date document titled 'Managing an Emergency Situation'. The AEC requests students to provide a copy of this document to their parents and advisors before they leave for Australia/NZ. In this way, parents and advisors have a point of contact for AEC Australia staff. The AEC shares the concerns of parents that need to know how their children are whilst in Australia/NZ. The AEC contacts list is available prior to departure to students and parents. Parents should feel at ease in contacting AEC personnel in the US or Australia/NZ to enquire about their children. It is not the intention of the AEC to disrupt or restrict students in any way whilst in Australia/NZ but oversight is an absolutely necessary process to ensure that the best possible information is gathered about any situation and appropriate advice provided. It is important to note that the people managing the AEC have had a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of over 25 years of experience in Australian/NZ or US educational institutions, international education organizations and/or in Government. In Australia/NZ, your AEC Australian contacts are Australians that are managing an AEC office in Australia; they know and understand the local norms (customs and way of life) and are completely dedicated to providing the best possible service to inbound AEC students. These personnel are always on hand to answer queries and welcome phone calls from parents, students and advisors. Pre-departure InformationA comprehensive pre-departure package will alert you to some common sense guidelines to follow while in Australia/NZ. This package will also include information on:
On-arrival AEC OrientationA comprehensive on-arrival orientation package which will provide you another copy of what was included in your pre-departure information pack (just in case you have forgotten to bring it with you to Australia/NZ!) This package will include some common sense guidelines to follow while in Australia/NZ. This package will also include information on:
On-arrival Australian University/NZ OrientationThe Australian/NZ universities are well prepared for US and other international students. The safety and well being of these students is very important to faculty and administrators at these universities and they will do everything possible to look after their students. Besides the pre-departure information and on-arrival orientation that the AEC provides, the Australian/NZ university will meet students in groups to orient them to the Australian/NZ way of life - as part of this process, students will be provided with advice on health and safety. In Australia/NZ AEC & Australian University ContactsAEC Australia:
(Mailing Address: GPO Box 1424, Canberra City, ACT 2601) (AEC uses a generic email address for both its US and Australia staff before disseminating messages to individual staff - this is so that even on weekends and after hours there is a continuous roster of AEC staff monitoring messages. This provides an assurance to students, parents and advisors that there will be a response to their messages!) A list of AEC Australia staff with emergency contact phone numbers (after hours/24 hrs service) will be provided to each student as part of the 'Managing an Emergency Situation' document within pre-departure and on-arrival information. Emergency contact home phone numbers for AEC personnel are not for public distribution and are available and provided only to students that are on the AEC program! AEC USA: Australian/NZ University Contacts Managing an Emergency SituationThe AEC has a plan of action to take care of emergency situations. This plan takes into account the considerable resources in place at individual Australian/NZ universities to also take care of the welfare of their student body. The AEC will provide a detailed set of instructions to all students at orientation to cover 'emergency response'. Students are encouraged to always provide up-to-date email and phone numbers in Australia/NZ to the local AEC office! This is the only way the AEC can make contact with you quickly whilst you are in Australia/NZ.
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