On October 20, 2023 the University of California Office of the President released a letter regarding travel in the Middle East and North Africa. “In recent weeks, we have seen an escalating security risk within the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region, including anti-Israel and anti-United States protests and violence in several countries. Due to this heightened risk and our concern for the health and safety of University of California students, faculty, and staff, I am directing the UC community to avoid all non-essential travel to the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region for the foreseeable future.”

Navigating a large international airport in a foreign country can be confusing. Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) within Global Affairs, wants you to have a good experience from the moment you land in California. Many international flights arrive at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Global Affairs is monitoring the situation in countries and assisting travelers based guidance from the University of California and based on the assessments of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 — Do Not Travel Warning for Ukraine due to conflict. As a result, and out of concern for the well-being and safety of the UC community, the University of California Office of the President is directing all members of the UC community to avoid all travel to Ukraine at this time. Additionally, travel to neighboring countries should be carefully evaluated.

Questions and answers related to travel, services for international students and scholars, study abroad and global learning programs, and more.

Key reminders for travelers: Maintain heightened awareness of your surroundings; Allow extra time for any business at U.S. or Israeli embassies; Ensure that trips are registered, both with UC Davis, which is required per UC Davis policy, and with the U.S. State Department’s STEP program; Avoid all protests or rallies; Check flight status before departing for airports; Maintain awareness of local news and any U.S. State Department warnings.

Travelers over the holiday season should be aware of the increased risk of crime and protest activity, particularly where there are large crowds that gather in public places or fill transportation hubs.

Stuart Cohen, the director of the Travelers Clinic at UC Davis Health offers the best advice for those who have the good kind of travel bug.

Hong Kong has experienced over two months of protests - the largest protests the city has ever had. Groups sometimes as large as a million people have gathered to protest against what they feel is China's infringement on their local government and rights. Most of the protests have been peaceful, but some have turned confrontational or resulted in violent clashes. There have been times the protests and confrontations have spilled over into neighborhoods other than those where the police have permitted marches or rallies. These demonstrations, which can take place with little or no notice, are likely to continue.