The University of Houston has policies that are keyed to the State Department's advice, which you can read about here, and which we will of course follow. (TL;DR: the university takes a cautious approach where the safety of its students and employees is concerned.)
While there is inherent risk in all travel, we will manage risk for international travel by doing what the State Department advises, including exercising "increased caution" while in Egypt. For instance, we will not be traveling to the Sinai Peninsula, the Western Desert, or Egyptian border areas, the three areas in Egypt where the State Department recommends "Do not travel."
As for all international trips, participants should read and monitor the State Department advisory carefully and make a personal decision about travel. There is currently a Level 2 Travel Advisory. For some context, you might consider other countries that currently have Level 2 advisories. As of March 2018, the list includes the United Kingdom, Brazil, Denmark, India, France, Mexico, Spain, and many other countries frequented by student and faculty groups.
Three of the faculty and staff for this trip traveled to Egypt with a similarly-sized group of students in November 2017. In addition to extensive personal and professional travel, our team (which includes the dean of the Honors College) will have led (collectively) over two dozen student study abroad trips, about half of them to the Middle East. One of us has work experience in the airline industry, and another has done graduate research in risk mitigation in international student travel. Most of us have studied and lived abroad for extended periods.
Finally, we are happy to speak with you or your parents to discuss your concerns and our expectations for this trip. Please contact Dr. Rainbow.
While there is inherent risk in all travel, we will manage risk for international travel by doing what the State Department advises, including exercising "increased caution" while in Egypt. For instance, we will not be traveling to the Sinai Peninsula, the Western Desert, or Egyptian border areas, the three areas in Egypt where the State Department recommends "Do not travel."
As for all international trips, participants should read and monitor the State Department advisory carefully and make a personal decision about travel. There is currently a Level 2 Travel Advisory. For some context, you might consider other countries that currently have Level 2 advisories. As of March 2018, the list includes the United Kingdom, Brazil, Denmark, India, France, Mexico, Spain, and many other countries frequented by student and faculty groups.
Three of the faculty and staff for this trip traveled to Egypt with a similarly-sized group of students in November 2017. In addition to extensive personal and professional travel, our team (which includes the dean of the Honors College) will have led (collectively) over two dozen student study abroad trips, about half of them to the Middle East. One of us has work experience in the airline industry, and another has done graduate research in risk mitigation in international student travel. Most of us have studied and lived abroad for extended periods.
Finally, we are happy to speak with you or your parents to discuss your concerns and our expectations for this trip. Please contact Dr. Rainbow.
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