COUNT THEM!– Comprehensive Transparent Safety Data from the Student Abroad Travel Industry

My Son, Ravi Thackurdeen, died a 100% preventable death on study abroad. Since Ravi's death, via the Internet, I have learned of many other study abroad deaths, and have met their bereaved families: Thomas Plotkin, Elizabeth Brenner's son; Zoe Damon, Noelle Damon's daughter; Joshua Shane, Mindy Shane's son; Aron Sobel, Rochelle Sobel's son. I have also met families and students scarred for life, father O. Munn's daughter' Cara, students R. Richardson, R. Paneno, R. DeMello.

Drownings, falls, fires, inadequately treated illnesses, motor vehicle accidents, murder, drugging, kidnapping and more--these are the ways our students can die during study abroad. One or two days of news coverage, and these students "disappear." No one knows how many students have died on study abroad because no one counts the dead and injured.

Study Abroad is an unregulated industry, which is increasingly a higher education requirement for which schools may receive federal funds. Yet, these same schools do not share safety information from prior programs.

Bereaved families understand the importance of comprehensive and transparent safety data from the study abroad industry. We are coming together in support of "The Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act." We believe that, with comprehensive and transparent safety information, students and parents can make truly informed educational decisions.

We also believe that knowledge of previous deaths and injuries is the foundation of fatality prevention. With this information, academic researchers can determine patterns, and thus achieve a science-based approach to structuring safer programs.

My Family and I Support H.R. 3551 The Safe Student Student Abroad Act!