Health and Safety

World Learning is committed to keeping you healthy and safe during travel and throughout the duration of your seminar. If you are uncertain whether a situation should be handled as an emergency, please contact your World Learning program staff. If you are feeling ill, but do not need immediate help, please inform a World Learning staff member so that they are aware of your illness and can take action if your condition worsens. World Learning staff will guide you on the appropriate steps to address a potential emergency situation or illness.

Personal Health

During the seminar, remember to:

• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water!

• Get plenty of rest – rest in between sessions and make sure to get a good night’s sleep.

• Eat nutritiously – seek out nutritious meals that make you feel healthy and strong.

• Be flexible and adaptable – sometimes things don’t go as planned, so remember to stay positive and flexible in the face of change.

• Stay active – walk, stretch, or run at the hotel gym or outside if possible.

• Wash your hands often.

High-quality care is generally available at private medical facilities. A deposit up front may be required to access medical care. Below you will find more information about the health insurance provided for those not currently residing in Georgia

Before departing for Georgia, please ensure that all your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. While there are no mandatory vaccines for travelers to Georgia, some commonly recommended immunizations include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), and Typhoid.

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more detailed health information for travelers to Georgia: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/georgia?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001 

General Safety Tips

• Maintain a low profile. Avoid displaying money, wearing jewelry, or carrying valuables such as laptop computers or cameras.

• Carry a mobile phone programmed with numbers that would be useful in an emergency (e.g. World Learning, police, etc.).

• Walk in groups or at least with one other person. 

• Understand the basic geography of your destination and familiarize yourself with key routes and high-crime areas. If you find yourself disoriented, be discreet when consulting a map – or ask for directions from someone in public.

• Avoid disputes, demonstrations, political rallies, and commotions on the street.

• Carry cash in more than one pocket and keep a small amount in a top pocket to hand over to a robber if one confronts you.

• Obtain small denominations of currency and keep cash/cards in a money belt.

• Ignore verbal “bait” from others – do not get into an argument. If you think that you are being followed, enter any public place and call for help.

• Maintain a high level of information security. Do not give out personal information. Do not discuss your plans with strangers.

• If walking at night, walk in groups and well-lit areas.

• Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Always keep your food and drink in sight in entertainment venues.

Emergency Protocols

World Learning is committed to keeping you healthy and safe during travel and throughout your seminar. If you are uncertain whether a situation should be handled as an emergency, please contact your World Learning program staff. If you are feeling ill but do not need immediate help, inform a World Learning staff member. World Learning staff will help you take the appropriate steps to address your illness.

In case of an emergency, call the local emergency numbers for Georgia below: 

• Police: 112

• Ambulance: 112

• Fire: 112

After you have called the emergency number, complete the steps listed below. 

1. Contact a World Learning staff member and inform the staff member of the situation. World Learning staff will immediately assist you. 

2. Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Solutions to inform them of the situation and enlist their support. 

3. Remember to always carry emergency numbers and your BCBS Global Solutions card with you. World Learning will continue to work with you, BCBS Global Solutions, and local emergency services to ensure that you receive proper treatment and care.

Weather-Related Emergency

In case of flight delays, cancellations, or rebooking due to harsh weather, please contact World Learning staff (contact information shared in your arrival email) to notify them of your updated arrival time. Participants who are stranded in transit should speak to an airline representative immediately to adjust your itinerary and then contact World Learning staff to discuss interim arrangements.