Posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at 10:33 am

Spring Break is right around the corner and many students are making travel arrangements overseas. Whether you are planning just a few days, or weeks, you will want to make sure that you are aware of the current international climate no matter where you go. Since our last January 2012 travel warning update, here is the February 2012 travel warning updates from the US State Department:

• Travel Warning for the Philippines – January 5th marked an extended travel warning for the Philippines due to potential terrorist risks. While the warning states that risks extend throughout the country, it cites recent incidents in Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago.

• Travel Warning for Sudan – Replacing the existing travel warning from June 2011, the Department of State continues to warn travelers of “security concerns” along the Darfur region, Blue Nile, and Southern Kordofan States.

• Travel Warning for Nigeria – The Department of State extended the current travel warning in Nigeria due to the “risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks.” The official statement warns against travel unless essential; the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, issued a State of Emergency in the country.

• Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo – Replacing the July 2011 warning, the US Department of State reissued a new statement that warns against unnecessary travel to eastern and northeastern areas of Congo primarily due to security and military concerns.

• Travel Warning for Iraq – An extended travel warning has been issued for Iraq due to persisting security concerns with air and land travel, particularly with kidnapping and terrorist violence. The Department of State recommends avoiding travel as the Embassy’s response capabilities are limited.

• Travel Warning for Pakistan – The warning for Pakistan has been extended as security concerns continue to be present in the nation. Protests, demonstrations, and rallies present additional risks that travelers should avoid.

• Travel Warning for Syria – The US Department of State “suspended all embassy operations effective February 6, 2012” due to the ongoing violence. US citizens are recommended to avoid travel to the nation and, for those individual who are currently in the country, to leave immediately.

• Travel Warning for Mexico – While the US State Department notes that “the Mexican government makes considerable effort to protect US citizens and other visitors”, drug-related violence and crime has affected locals and foreigners traveling to Mexico. The advisory warns against traveling to 14 of 31 Mexican states. The US Department of State lists a state by state advisory that should be reviewed before traveling to the region.

Posted by Jennifer Frankel

Jennifer is the International Director at International Student Insurance. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Florida where she holds a Masters in International Business and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She has lived and worked abroad in Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and England, and traveled extensively in South America, Europe and Asia.