Student safety is paramount. While Prato is a very safe town in Italy, it is a large city that, like all cities, presents a certain risk with regards to petty crime. It is important, therefore, that students are aware of how to protect themselves against petty crime. Being aware is the first step toward preventing incidents of robbery or theft from occurring.
While no one can guarantee safety, the University of New Haven has several health and safety measures in place. Staff constantly monitors current international, political, social, and economic conditions and events in Europe, and we take precautions in light of this information so that participants have the safest possible experience abroad. In addition, faculty and staff at the program site are available to oversee student safety and to support students who need medical assistance while abroad.
If students want to know more about health and safety in general while studying abroad,
see the Traveler's Health information available from U.S. Department of State's Travel Safety Information for Students.
Prior to departure, students receive specific health and safety information about Prato. Upon arrival in Prato, students receive, as part of their Orientation Days activities, a dedicated session about personal safety while in Italy.
Students should also have the LiveSafe app downloaded on their phones. For major emergencies such as natural disasters, this will allow the University Campus Police to quickly and easily send information and assistance to students anywhere in the world, provided they have their phone with them.
Students in Prato are required to complete a Side Travel Registration every time they leave the campus overnight. Students must provide our staff with the dates of travel, location, address, and contact information so that Prato staff are able to locate and contact them if necessary.
In addition, local staff in Prato also provides a 24 hour, seven days a week emergency response to any incident.