Global Exchange has been leading delegations of North Americans to countries all over the world for nearly 20 years. We put the health and safety of our participants as our first priority and our trained staff are equipped with the local knowledge and expertise to deal with evolving political situations and health emergencies if they arise. Additionally, all participants are covered by medical and emergency insurance provided by Seven Corners.
Health
Mérida is a city with a variety of well-equipped private and public medical clinics, hospitals and pharmacies. Even during weekend trips outside the city, participants will never be far from access to medical care. Currently, there are no immunizations required to enter the country and Mérida is not a state where a risk of Malaria is exhibited. Nor will participants be traveling to such states as part of our program. Global Exchange understands that individual participants may hold specific beliefs and/or philosophies regarding medical precautions and may have plans to do additional traveling in Venezuela. As such, the following links are intended to provide assistance to participants in making such decisions about antimalarial drugs, vaccinations and/or immunizations.The Center for Disease Control
Upon arrival, participants will be instructed on good health practices which are meant to lower the risk of sickness while in Venezuela. Basic tips on water, food, sanitation and hygeine are intended to provide participants with a basis from which to evaluate everyday situations. Our staff is also available to help students assess any specific health concerns they may have.
Safety
As with travel in any major city, whether in the United States or abroad, travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and conscious of circumstances which may put them in a vulnerable position. Mérida has a reputation for being a good deal safer than major metropolitan areas but it is important for participants to utilize common sense and follow basic strategies to minimize risks. Some of these strategies include:- Not being ostentatious and not exhibiting expensive jewelry or technological gadgets.
- Staying in groups or in populated areas when out at night.
- Taking a taxi instead of walking alone at night.
- Not carrying large sums of money on your person at any one time.
- Making sure to carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.
- Remaining vigilant of your surroundings at all times.
- Carrying the emergency contact number of Global Exchange staff.
Participants will receive a thorough orientation to advise them on safety precautions upon their arrival. For any specific concerns regarding safety, please feel free to contact our staff.
Political Situation
Venezuelans are known, historically, for their active participation in politics. Sometimes this participation takes the form of street-level protests and demonstrations. Although the vast majority of these protests take place in the Caracas area and are peaceful, Mérida has also been home to numerous opposition demonstrations in recent years. These demonstrations tend to be small and isolated and our staff, working together with our partner organizations and contacts on the ground, are intensely aware of any potential situations which could possibly compromise the safety of our participants. We have the local knowledge and experience to effectively react to situations as they evolve. Although there are always risks involved in any politically dynamic situation, we have had no incidents of violence emanating from political activity perpetrated against any one of our participants who have traveled in over 50 delegations in Venezuela.It must also be said that despite major media reporting on a growing sense of "anti-Americanism" in Venezuela, our participants have always been received warmly by the community with whom they are staying. Global Exchange has spent years building trust with our counterparts on the ground and Venezuelans from all sides of the political spectrum have invited us into their homes, making us feel truly welcome. Although the media sometimes gives a different impression, Venezuelans are indeed savvy enough to distinguish between political disagreements at the governmental level and people-to-people relations at the everyday level.
Venezuela Program homepage