when Aidan O’Grady left the United States to spend a semester in Spain, what was supposed to be a normal study abroad experience. Days later, the North Carolina State University student died unexpectedly. The death has raised new questions about student safety during study abroad programs.
Weeks before his death, University of Michigan student Zachary Park suffered a traumatic brain injury in Madrid. On the same day, an Indian student was killed and two others were injured in a traffic accident in eastern Kazakhstan while returning from a trip, according to the Indian embassy.
Separate cases involving assaults and deaths of students in Canada and the United Kingdom have raised other concerns.
Students reduce daily risks
Many students prepare for big threats but ignore more common risks, said safety strategist Cary Pasquarello, CEO of Global Secure Resources Inc.
Students often “tend to focus on major risks, such as terrorism, while downplaying the everyday threats that are statistically more likely to affect them,” she said.
These risks include unsafe housing and neighborhoods, unregulated transportation, fraud, high rates of alcohol consumption, gender-based violence, and difficulty accessing medical care.
Read also: Study abroad trends: How 2025 preferences will shift dramatically in 2026
Alcohol-related environments can also increase vulnerability. “Risks often come from the behavior of others,” Pasquarello noted, warning that exposure to intoxicated individuals can increase the likelihood of harassment, theft or assault. Many students receive country-level summaries but little guidance about the specific neighborhoods, roads, and social environments they will encounter daily.
Off-campus housing risks and regulatory gaps
A large number of serious incidents occur away from campus, especially in private rented accommodation.
“One of the most acute risks… stems from information asymmetries and regulatory gaps in private housing markets,” said Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living.
Buildings may fail to meet fire safety codes or occupancy standards, as private rentals often lack controlled access systems, emergency response, or grievance mechanisms.
Students can also face legal exposure when signing leases governed by unfamiliar rental laws.
“Choice of accommodation should be treated as a systematic assessment of risk and compliance, not just a pricing decision,” Arora said. Unusually low rents, deposit requests on personal accounts, and missing compliance documents should be treated as warning signs.
Immigration concerns can discourage reporting of violations
Concerns about visa status may prevent students from reporting exploitation or unsafe conditions, according to Vansh Desai, an immigration official at Beyond Border.
“In some cases, uncertainty about visa or work permit rules, or fear of jeopardizing future immigration benefits, may discourage students from reporting unsafe conditions,” he said.
Read also: An Indian-origin student dies in a devastating fire at his home in New York; The family is raising money to return home
However, Desai emphasized that the issue often stems from misinformation rather than legal reality. He noted that “US law generally protects all workers and residents, including international students, from abuse and unsafe conditions.”
He added that some students fear that contacting the police could affect their visa status, even during emergencies. In fact, reporting a crime or requesting emergency assistance does not usually compromise an immigration case, and public safety agencies prioritize life-threatening situations.
Students who understand their rights are more likely to report problems and seek help, he said.
As risks and barriers to reporting become more apparent, the scope of government communication has also expanded.
India raises the issue in Lok Sabha
In response to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 6, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it gives “highest priority” to the safety and security of Indian students abroad.
Read also: A 20-year-old AMU student died by suicide during a video call with his father in Saudi Arabia
Embassies hold orientation sessions on “potential challenges, risks and precautions,” maintain emergency hotlines and issue warnings in areas facing political instability or risks of exploitation. Students are encouraged to register for missions and stay in touch through the MADAD portal, WhatsApp groups, consular camps and open houses.
Pasquarello said no single institution can guarantee safety.
“The responsibility is shared,” she noted, noting the role of universities in providing rigorous training and support systems, host governments in ensuring public safety and students in developing situational awareness.
Failures occur when responsibility shifts to students without equipping them to manage risks. “Too often, institutions fail because of slow response, poor communication, or focusing too much on reputation management rather than student well-being,” she said.
