TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS Student Field Preparation Guide Summer 2018 The School for Field Studies (SFS) PLEASE READ THIS MATERIAL CAREFULLY BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE PROGRAM. BRING IT WITH YOU TO THE FIELD AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. 100 Cummings Center, Suite 534-G, Beverly, MA 01915 P 800.989.4418 F 978.922.3835 www.fieldstudies.org © 2017 The School for Field Studies Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................4 Preparing for Departure .........................................................................................................5 Preparation Checklist ................................................................................................................... 5 Travel Arrangements ..............................................................................................................7 Advantage Travel and Group Flights ........................................................................................... 7 Making Your Travel Arrangements .............................................................................................. 7 Passport and Visa ......................................................................................................................... 8 Arrival at the Airport in TCI .......................................................................................................... 8 About SFS Turks & Caicos .......................................................................................................9 History of the Region ................................................................................................................... 9 Online Resources for TCI Current Events ..................................................................................... 9 Weather and Climate ................................................................................................................... 9 Geography and Ecology ............................................................................................................... 9 South Caicos and Cockburn Harbour ......................................................................................... 10 Program Overview ..................................................................................................................... 10 Facilities ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Water Use and Sanitation .......................................................................................................... 11 Research Equipment .................................................................................................................. 12 Center SCUBA Equipment .......................................................................................................... 12 Library and Computers .............................................................................................................. 12 Food ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Special Dietary Requirements ................................................................................................... 13 Special Religious Requirements ................................................................................................. 13 Cleaning ..................................................................................................................................... 13 A Typical Weekday at the Center .............................................................................................. 14 A Typical Week at the Center .................................................................................................... 14 Students and the Local Community ........................................................................................... 14 Communications ........................................................................................................................ 15 What to Pack ....................................................................................................................... 17 Electrical Appliances .................................................................................................................. 17 Required Clothing, Equipment, and Personal Items.................................................................. 17 Required Equipment for Snorkeling and SCUBA ....................................................................... 19 Required Equipment for SCUBA Only ........................................................................................ 20 Recommended Clothing, Equipment, and Personal Items (Optional) ...................................... 21 Optional SCUBA and Snorkel Equipment ................................................................................... 21 Finances .............................................................................................................................. 22 Estimated Costs ......................................................................................................................... 22 Tips for Living and Studying Abroad ...................................................................................... 23 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 23 Country Information .................................................................................................................. 23 Personal Safety .......................................................................................................................... 23 Situational Awareness ............................................................................................................... 23 Local Laws and Cultural Norms .................................................................................................. 24 Food Safety ................................................................................................................................ 24 Protection from Insects ............................................................................................................. 24 Policies ................................................................................................................................ 25 2 SFS-Wide Policies ....................................................................................................................... 25 Campus-Specific Policies ............................................................................................................ 27 Disciplinary Procedures ............................................................................................................. 28 Insurance ............................................................................................................................. 29 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance .................................................................. 29 Health Insurance ........................................................................................................................ 29 Divers Alert Network (DAN) Insurance – REQUIRED for SCUBA Diving ..................................... 30 Personal Property Insurance ..................................................................................................... 30 Travel Insurance ........................................................................................................................ 30 Health and Safety ................................................................................................................ 31 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 31 24-Hour Emergency Hotline ...................................................................................................... 31 Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications ...................................................................... 31 Dietary Requirements ................................................................................................................ 31 Accommodating Students with Disabilities ............................................................................... 31 Physical Conditioning ................................................................................................................. 31 Existing Medical Conditions ....................................................................................................... 32 Medical Care in the Turks and Caicos ........................................................................................ 32 Disease in the Turks and Caicos ................................................................................................. 33 CDC-Recommended Vaccinations for Travelers to the Turks and Caicos ................................. 33 Non-Vaccine Preventable Disease in the Turks and Caicos ....................................................... 34 Other Hazards in the Turks and Caicos ...................................................................................... 35 Cultural Adjustment