November 17, 2015
RE: Safety measures for your upcoming semester abroad in Strasbourg, France
Dear Students and Parents,
The health and safety of the students and faculty members staying with us in Europe is our utmost and top priority. When such devastating events happen at home or abroad, it is completely normal to feel apprehensive.
As parents ourselves, we understand the situation and would like to offer some degree of reassurance that the European Study Center at the Château de Pourtalés is located outside the city center of Strasbourg. Most importantly, we ourselves live and work at the Château on a weekly basis. Our team of CEPA staff coordinators and hotel staff, some of whom live at the castle along with the students, will take care of daily needs and provide assistance to students when needed.
Regardless, the fact remains that no matter where one lives, it make sense to follow simple but important measures regarding communication and safety, while at home or abroad.
Everything we ask of our students is voluntary, but in their own best interest:
- to complete the emergency contact form before arrival
- to keep our on-site staff informed of their travel plans and contact details
- to sign out/sign in whenever they leave the Château for any overnight trips
- to keep their cell phones turned on and with them at all times
- to label their belongings with their names and address
- to carry their passport with them all the time and leave copies with family and staff
- We also strongly recommend that students enroll in their own country’s overseas travel programs before they leave home.
Students from the USA: State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Students from the CANADA: Registration of Canadians Abroad service: http://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/roca-faq
Please also remember to check DFATD Travel Report for your host country and any country/countries that you may be planning to visit in the near future: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Additionally, my husband and I are always able to be reached in case of any emergency. Our contact information as well as that for our on-site team in Strasbourg are listed HERE for your convenience. Students will be provided with the same information again during their orientation session in Strasbourg.
Should you have any concerns or additional safety measures you would like to suggest, please let us know. The safety and wellbeing of all students is our first priority.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Uli Leibrecht
Director, CEPA Foundation
Mr. Harald Leibrecht
President, CEPA Foundation