FUBiS is committed to creating a safe and secure study abroad experience to all program participants. The well-being of all students is the highest priority. FUBiS believes that the support and the preparation of the staff and faculty on-site as well as the responsibility of all participants contribute to a successful and safe study abroad experience.

The staff of the FUBiS program is regularly in contact with the university management, local and foreign authorities, partner institutions and study abroad associations about health and security standards. The FUBiS team is prepared to provide support to students with information about local health and safety services and to arrange for assistance in case of an emergency. All important information is shared in pre-departure information emails, during on-site orientation meetings and throughout the program with team, faculty and all program participants.

Health

FUBiS wants to make sure that all participants receive the needed help in case of a health issue. For the duration of the program, a health insurance is mandatory according to German law. In case their insurance at home does not cover costs for medical treatments abroad, participants can purchase health insurance through FUBiS. More information can be found here. Already prior to their departure, participants receive a Student Guide with information about doctoral services near the campus. In addition, a briefing on safety guidelines and local emergency numbers is part of the orientation meeting on-site. If students find themselves in an emergency, the program staff is on call via emergency phone. This number will be shared in the Student Guide and again at the orientation meeting.

Safety

Berlin is in general a safe city and the campus of Freie Universität Berlin is located in a quiet residential area. Although the program and the university make all reasonable efforts to ensure the safety of their students, a risk-free environment is not guaranteed. Participants should follow the same certain precautions they would take in their home countries while abroad. Students are expected to pay attention to safety requirements and to carefully study all given safety guidelines. In case of immediate danger, participants should call 112 anywhere in the European Union for police, emergency medical service or fire brigade. Furthermore, students should also inform their relatives and the FUBiS staff about their personal situation in case of health issues or any other unforeseen events.

A good resource for tips on how to stay safe while abroad is the UT Austin Study Abroad International Office's "Culture of Safety" video, which you can check out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-jVVX7bOZQ. 

The following section may provide further advice in case of major national and international civil emergencies (without any claim of completeness):

• Students should stay in touch with their relatives and their home universities. Program participants and relatives should also stay informed by contacting their home country‘s embassy or consulate in Berlin or any other relevant official representation in Germany.

• In the event of a national crisis or emergency situation, most up-to-date information can be found on the official websites of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.

• In case a critical situation might occur on campus, the university publishes regular updates on its website as well as social media channels. Students are expected to follow the instructions of the university staff and faculty at any time.

• To find out about free counselling services (e.g. emergency assistance, hotlines), students can also visit the website of the Studierendenwerk Berlin and Berlin‘s official homepage visitBerlin.