5 things study abroad professionals can do to protect their students, natural resources, and the environment 

With over 300,000 U.S. students studying abroad each year, study abroad students are a significant source of mobility. 

Over the years, the Don’t Pack a Pest (DPAP) for Academic Travelers program has collaborated with study abroad organizations to conduct focus groups. The purpose was to understand students’ awareness of invasive species and learn about their packing habits. 

We found that an astounding number of students unintentionally brought potentially harmful agricultural items back into the U.S. from abroad. A few of these students have even faced fines! 

Some of these students thought these items were okay to pack because their program gave them incorrect information.  Students and professionals stated that they wouldn’t have brought these items in the first place or would have declared them if they knew about the potential consequences. 

As a study abroad professional, you have the power to make an impact. You can help prevent billions of dollars in agricultural damage, protect the U.S. food supply, and protect your students. 

Here are five things that study abroad professionals can do to prevent invasive species from entering the U.S. and protect their students from hefty fines at customs. 

#1 Incorporate Information About Declaring into Pre-Departure Orientations 

Making students, faculty, and staff aware of the impact of traveling with potentially harmful agricultural items is a multi-step approach. Providing information at orientations is one of those steps.

A simple way to do this is by incorporating a slide or two with helpful packing and declaration information for your students. 

DPAP for Academic Travelers has templates that schools have used at orientations as a resource for your institution. 

Additionally, you can have study abroad alumni and international students share their personal experiences traveling with agricultural items and declaring them with their peers.

If you need content and inspiration, here are web resources you can use. 

#2 Participate in Focus Groups 

Don’t Pack a Pest’s Academic Traveler program regularly holds focus groups at partner institutions. These focus groups assess student awareness around packing and declaring items at customs. 

At these focus groups, we found that students want more information about packing to save stress at customs and do the right thing. 

Institutions have taken findings and implemented them into their programming to better prepare students for their travels. 

The DPAP for Academic Travelers program can work with schools one-on-one to conduct free focus groups to discover insightful information about your students and faculty. As a result, we can customize resources for you.  

#3 Disseminate Information in Newsletters and Social Media

An efficient way to distribute information about responsible packing is through newsletters and social media at your organization. 

You can use these resources from our website, Instagram, and Facebook for content. Our posts are easy to share, so you can quickly repost. 

Additionally, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our resources or materials. 

#4 Attend an Info Session 

We regularly hold info sessions collaborating with our agency partners to provide up-to-date information about safe packing and declaring items. 

Our info sessions are always free. 

Invite your staff to learn helpful information about going through customs, declaring potentially prohibited items, and advising students.

Info sessions are also great places to ask questions and network with agencies and other participants. 

#5 Join Our Community of Partners

Join academic travelers from across the nation in our Community of Partners program.  

This group is a network of institutions from across the United States committed to the Don’t Pack a Pest Academic Traveler mission. 

Group members enjoy resources, networking opportunities, workshops, and support. 

It is free to join, and there are no specific commitments. All you need is an interest in protecting our natural resources and providing helpful information for your students, staff, and faculty. 

Are you looking for more information about the DPAP for Academic Travelers program? Visit our website or email us at academictraveler@oregonstate.edu.