Faculty members and students occasionally ask about the advisability of travel in the context of terrorism, war, or natural disaster, especially if concerns arise after tours have been planned.

It seems unlikely that the program itself will cancel study tours. Rather, it will encourage individuals--leaders and participants--to act according to their own assessments of the risks involved in travel. Apparently, airlines and travel agencies have considerable leeway in returning monies once they are paid, and travel insurance does not normally cover concerns about safety.

Because travelers will apparently face concern about terrorism for the foreseeable future, including concern prompted by false alarms, perhaps they will find ways to live with it. Participants who want to hedge their bets in case the unexpected occurs should make minimal deposits and make them at the last minute, perhaps using a credit card. Leaders who think they might cancel a trip altogether should be prepared to consider alternatives for students who may be depending on the study tour for academic credit.

The program does not, in the first place, approve study tours to areas for which the US Department of State has issued a formal Travel Warning.