Holistic support across the globe.

We know a sense of safety is essential to learning and personal growth. That’s why Butler Overseas combines the well-established site infrastructure from the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) with Butler’s whole-student support system to provide students and their families with peace of mind.

Onsite Assistance 

Local IFSA staff have robust knowledge of their region, the language, and the culture. They host detailed safety orientations and neighborhood tours so students have everything they need to succeed. You’ll learn where to go to shop or eat out, access WiFi, use public transportation, enjoy green space, go to class with in-person instructors, and other site-specific details.

IFSA staff are also able to provide guidance for local healthcare systems. They help connect students to excellent care, navigate insurance, prepare them for what to do in health emergencies for themselves and peers, and more. The staff will also be briefed on how best to support students with special dietary needs or health concerns while helping students grow in self-advocacy.

Safety Protocols

The world is always changing, and IFSA monitors all sites in addition to receiving third party guidance from organizations in the wider international education sector. IFSA has a 24/7 emergency response team, predetermined incident protocols, and other training for risk mitigation. Each student is also given a thorough suite of resources on health, safety, and security so that they can look out for one another.

Learn More About IFSA’s Health and Safety and Risk Management Models

Whole-Student Support

Safety isn’t just about reducing harm—it’s about creating the conditions needed for students to thrive as their authentic selves. 

Inclusion and accessibility are both core values of Butler and IFSA, which is why we prepare robust resources to support students’ needs and identities while they navigate the diverse political, cultural, linguistic, religious, and historical contexts of each country 

The Butler Overseas team is dedicated to helping you embrace your identity and make your time abroad as accessible as possible. With insight bespoke to each location, we prepare for questions such as:

• How can I practice my faith and connect with my faith community while abroad?
• If people dress differently than me in the place I’m visiting, do I need to change my style?
• How might my sexual orientation and/or gender identity impact my interactions with this culture? 
• What are the mobility and accessibility laws in this country? What accommodations can I expect?
• I will be a racial or ethnic minority in this country. Can you help me navigate that?

In addition to robust preparation for transition in and out of the different locations every semester, Butler Overseas offers built-in mental health support at every stage of the student journey. Through IFSA, there are standing relationships with general practitioners, specialists, mental health professionals, and hospitals to provide support in every location. In addition, Butler’s on-campus team will help connect students to appropriate resources while abroad.

Students seeking any other additional resources in the areas of health and dietary restrictions, religious accommodations, disability and accessibility, or processing identity abroad are encouraged to reach out to their local IFSA team for assistance.