Contact & Communication
CELL PHONE POLICY
As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and security, all students are required to have a working cell phone capable of making and receiving both local and international calls, including a data plan so that your phone is operational when you are away from wi-fi. If needed, during orientation SIT staff can assist students in purchasing a local SIM card and acquiring minutes for calls and texting. Failure to maintain a working phone capable of making and receiving calls/texts will be considered a conduct violation and a breach of our student code.
COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
SIT encourages parents to maintain good lines of communication with their students and to encourage students to remain at the helm of the study abroad process, whether through the application, the visa process, or on the program. SIT programs require strength of character and independent-mindedness, and parents can help students recognize that. That said, SIT staff are available for parent questions, comments, or concerns at any point before, during, or after a student’s program.
PROGRAM COMMUNICATION
SIT prioritizes direct communication with our students. The SIT Student Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Team can be reached directly by calling 802.258.3366. Regular business hours are from 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Eastern U.S. time, Monday through Friday. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Students should plan for communication with family and friends at home, realizing that in many program locations, communication can be slow and difficult. For regular program communication, SIT encourages students and parents to discuss communication expectations prior to the start of the program. Many SIT programs take place in remote locations and/or involve extensive travel. We also encourage students to consider the impact of constant communication with friends and family at home on their cultural immersion. While all students are encouraged to share with those close to them and turn to them for support whenever necessary, it is also important to remember that students are on the program for just one term, and that they get out of the program what they invest in their experience.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
In the event of an illness, crime, or emergency while on the program, students should immediately contact their academic/program director, program chair, or other appropriate staff member with all relevant details. Students should not give phone numbers of host families, academic/program directors, program chairs, or other program staff to family and friends at home without the specific permission of the people involved. In an emergency, SIT needs to have the ability to rapidly communicate with staff on site, and phones need to remain clear for this purpose. Parents, relatives, and friends who need to urgently contact a student while on a program should do so through the SIT Office of Student Health, Safety, and Wellbeing, where a staff member can contact the academic directors/program directors, program chairs, and other program staff. The 24/7 emergency number is 1.802.258.3366
COMMUNICATION WITH HOME INSTITUTIONS
SIT partners closely with all of our sending institutions. SIT will consistently share critical information about your health and safety with your study abroad office throughout your experience. For example, should you experience an illness that requires treatment at a medical facility, we are likely to let your school know about this as SIT shares responsibility for your well-being with your home institution.