Culture of Safety: How Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Keeps Teens Safe on International Service Learning Trips
International travel can be a life-changing experience for students, opening their eyes to different cultures, lifestyles, and social challenges. However, safety should always remain a top priority when young people engage in field studies studies abroad.
At Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a safety culture underpins every element of our student travel programs.
With dedicated risk management strategies and real-time support systems, we’re committed to ensuring students have safe, enriching, and impactful travel experiences. This article will explore how Shoulder-to-Shoulder maintains a secure environment for teens in our international Field Studies.
Culture of Safety
At Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, we specialize in teen travel Field Studies designed to immerse students in service learning worldwide. We are dedicated to promoting social responsibility, and safety remains one of our biggest priorities.
We craft each Field Study around a comprehensive risk management strategy to create safe, supportive environments for every student. Our holistic approach focuses on anticipating potential challenges, responding to incidents, and maintaining transparent communication with families.
We aim to balance adventure with well-structured safety protocols, allowing students to explore, learn, and grow in a safe environment.
Overview of Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Risk Management Strategy
Our risk management framework is built on five core pillars that guide every aspect of students’ travel experiences:
- State Department Monitoring — Staying updated on U.S. State Department travel warnings and safety recommendations for each destination.
- Global Rescue Partnership — Leveraging Global Rescue’s emergency support services for health, safety, and logistics and in-depth country reports.
- Local Community Partnerships — Shoulder-to-Shoulder collaborates with local nonprofits to gain nuanced insights and situational awareness in person.
- Trained Educators as Group Leaders — Hiring experienced field study instructors to guide and supervise students throughout the program.
- Setting General Expectations for Students — Setting clear expectations that align with open communication, group etiquette, and respect for others.
Below, we will take a closer look at the details around each of these five pillars.
1. Monitoring State Department Warnings
One of the cornerstones of our safety approach is closely monitoring U.S. State Department travel advisories. Our Director of Programming is enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for all our destination countries, receiving timely updates about potential risks and safety developments.
STEP provides Shoulder-to-Shoulder with instant updates on changes in safety conditions, allowing us to make informed decisions about each destination. This continuous monitoring system helps us respond quickly to emerging situations like civil unrest or natural disasters.
We go beyond general country-level advisories to assess risks in specific areas where our students will travel. For instance, while certain regions of Panama may have heightened warnings, we focus on locations with safer reputations, like the islands of Bocas Del Toro, where our students stay in a locally run hotel.
By tailoring our safety strategies to each unique location, we work to minimize exposure to potentially risky situations.
2. Global Rescue Partnership
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s partnership with Global Rescue offers students and families a powerful layer of security. Global Rescue provides comprehensive medical and security advisory services for travelers, making it an ideal partner for teen travel programs focusing on safety.
24/7 Medical and Security Advisory Services
With Global Rescue, we have access to an around-the-clock support team, including paramedics, nurses, critical care physicians, and experts from elite medical institutions. This means students and chaperones can receive medical assistance or consult with professionals at any time, regardless of the nature of the health concern.
Global Rescue can provide support with:
- Support for managing and treating medical emergencies, including mental health
- Help to find the nearest medical facility that offers the level of care needed
- Clarification of medical issues and medications.
- Information regarding travel warnings and regional risks
- Facilitating the replacement of lost passports, travel documents, and medications.
Medical and Health Support for Students Abroad
If a student feels unwell, our Field Study Instructors are trained to contact Global Rescue immediately, ensuring that no health concern is overlooked or untreated. From supporting mental health needs to aiding in medical emergencies, Global Rescue ensures student health and safety are prioritized throughout their journey.
Lucy had the most incredible experience in Costa Rica. She truly felt the love, happiness, and kindness of the Costa Rican people. The detail and care that went into all communication from the start, long before the students even got on the airplane, to Instagram posts while down there, was just wonderful. The care for their needs and the knowledge that all [safety] measures had been taken by Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder was phenomenal. — Samantha and Houston, parents of Lucy P., Vail Mountain School, Costa Rica ‘24
3. Utilizing Local Community Partners for Ground Support
We partner with trusted local nonprofits and NGOs in each of our international program locations. These community partners act as our eyes and ears on the ground, providing real-time insights into the local context and potential risks that larger organizations may overlook.
Our local NGO partners have extensive community networks, including local officials, law enforcement, and healthcare providers. They help us stay informed about region-specific concerns, cultural nuances, and regional events, which allows us to create a safer, more respectful experience for students.
By connecting with these reputable partners, we go beyond standard safety measures to offer a genuinely supportive and grounded travel experience.
4. Trained Educators as Field Study Instructors
A central aspect of our safety culture at Shoulder-to-Shoulder is the expertise and dedication of our Field Study Instructors, who serve as chaperones and guides for each program.
These instructors are selected from our partner schools and undergo comprehensive training to prepare for their multifaceted roles. We recognize that educators play a critical role in shaping students’ travel experiences, and we ensure they are well-equipped for both the educational and safety dimensions of the journey.
Field Study Instructor Training
Our Field Study Instructor training takes place over four days in Vail, Colorado. It focuses on essential risk management principles, experiential learning, and cultural sensitivity. This training covers first aid, emergency protocols, and situational risk assessment. Instructors learn to manage a range of potential scenarios, from health emergencies to guiding students through cultural misunderstandings with respect and awareness.
Experienced Leadership for Student Supervision
The average age of our Field Study Instructors is 35, reflecting the experience and maturity we prioritize in our leaders. In some cases, college-aged students join the program as intern instructors, but they work alongside two adult leaders who oversee every aspect of the experience. This structured oversight ensures that all students are closely supervised and that every activity is undertaken with qualified guidance.
When students break into smaller groups for specific activities, we maintain a clear rule: an adult must always be present. This is designed to maintain safety and build trust and support where students feel comfortable seeking guidance whenever needed.
As a parent, I cannot give enough praise for the process. From beginning to end, your team has been friendly, approachable, extremely patient and helpful, including the process to submit all the necessary forms. Everything went smoothly, including the flight, and transition to the farm. Nicole is already talking about her next Shoulder-to-Shoulder adventure. — Pam and Nick, parents of Nicole A, Puerto Rico, ‘24
Daily Expectations and Communication Protocols
Our daily operations involve structured communication and documentation to stay connected and informed about each group’s progress and well-being.
- Course Log: Field Study Instructors maintain a daily course log to document each day’s events, activities, and any notable issues. This record is invaluable for future Field Study Instructors, allowing them to anticipate and address logistical needs. The course log also helps instructors track minor problems, allowing for early intervention before they escalate into significant concerns.
- Daily Field Updates: Instructors send brief daily updates to our Home Office via WhatsApp, sharing important highlights and any urgent information. This practice keeps our headquarters informed and ensures they are ready to respond to any changes in plans or emerging issues.
- Travel Journal: To enhance transparency and connection with parents, instructors encourage students to contribute to a travel journal every two days. The travel journal provides a window into students’ learning experiences, reducing parental stress and encouraging involvement.
These protocols create a network of accountability and support across our Field Study Instructors, Shoulder-to-Shoulder home office, and students’ families. By fostering consistent communication, we cultivate a supportive and transparent environment, enabling us to proactively address any concerns and maintain our high standards of student safety and well-being.
6. Setting General Expectations for Students
Our student safety precautions cover several vital areas, including health, hygiene, and lessons in respectful conduct. We aim to create a safe, comfortable environment where students can focus on learning, service, and personal growth without worry.
Health and Hygiene
Maintaining good health and hygiene is fundamental to a safe travel experience. Students are instructed on proper hygiene practices to prevent illness, including handwashing, using bottled water for drinking and oral hygiene, and avoiding risky food choices.
The following are specific health protocols that we emphasize with all participants:
- Safe Food and Water: We encourage students to eat only thoroughly cooked foods, avoid street food, and ensure that fruits are washed and peeled. Water safety is equally crucial. Students are provided bottled water and reminded not to consume ice from local water sources.
- Hydration: We stress the importance of hydration in warm climates and provide regular reminders to drink enough water throughout the day.
- Personal Hygiene: Students are reminded to shower, wash clothes, keep their living areas tidy, and avoid sharing food or drinks.
Cultural Sensitivity and Respectful Conduct
Cultural sensitivity is a cornerstone of our travel programs. We prepare students to interact respectfully with local communities, emphasizing that they are guests in each country. This includes:
- Dress Code: Respecting local norms around clothing is essential in maintaining positive relationships with host communities. We encourage students to wear modest, culturally appropriate clothing, with the understanding that attire standards may differ from those at home.
- Photography Etiquette: Students are reminded to request permission before taking photos of locals, especially minors, and to respect any limitations on photography during cultural ceremonies or religious events.
- Respect for Local Customs: Students learn about cultural norms and behaviors specific to each community. From greetings to gestures, we guide customs to ensure students engage appropriately and respectfully.
In short Ginger had the time of her life. We are grateful she had the opportunity and some inner fire was lit more brightly! Working with the students and immersing herself into the local culture are what we heard the most about. It is clear that the work with the local kids, as well as the living and food arrangements, were all well considered! No complaints about beds, food, or people heard from anyone in the group —only lots of celebration for Shoulder-to-Shoulder, the [Field Study Instructors], and the local family who operated the hotel. -Eric, father of Ginger O., Branson High School, Panama ’23
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s Commitment to Safety
At Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of every student participating in our Field Studies.
Our structured approach—encompassing State Department monitoring, the Global Rescue partnership, local community collaborations, and experienced Field Study Instructors—creates a secure environment where students can explore and learn confidently.
Through careful planning, continuous communication, and a deep respect for local communities, Shoulder-to-Shoulder creates a “culture of safety” that ensures students can focus on their experience, free from distractions.
For parents, our open and reliable communication assures that their children are in capable hands.
Our commitment to student safety is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to create meaningful, life-changing experiences in the safest environment possible.
Do you still have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions page, which features some of our most asked questions, or simply send us a message.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does Shoulder-to-Shoulder keep parents informed during the trip?
Our communication strategy includes daily updates from staff to the home office via WhatsApp and regular travel journal entries published on the website. These updates keep parents connected and informed about their child’s experience, fostering peace of mind throughout the journey.
How does Shoulder-to-Shoulder respond to potential medical emergencies abroad?
We partner with Global Rescue for 24/7 medical support, offering access to immediate healthcare, security assistance, and expert consultations, ensuring that any medical emergency is promptly addressed.
What are the supervision practices for students during the program?
Our field Study Instructors and local partners always supervise students. Even in smaller groups, an adult is present to ensure safety and guidance during all activities.
What health protocols are in place for students on Shoulder-to-Shoulder trips?
We emphasize hygiene, hydration, safe food practices, and proactive health monitoring. Our instructors are trained to manage common travel-related health issues and maintain a clean, healthy environment.
How does Shoulder-to-Shoulder handle cultural sensitivity and local etiquette?
We provide pre-departure orientation and ongoing guidance on respecting local customs, from dress codes to social behavior, ensuring students engage with communities thoughtfully and respectfully.
