Badgers Abroad
The Badgers Abroad podcast is a travel-focused podcast from the University of Wisconsin–Madison's International Division. The podcast explores the world of international travel for university students, staff, and faculty while emphasizing that strong planning can help travelers find success and manage risks. Episodes will discuss everything from travel tips and cultural influences to safety precautions and packing essentials. They'll also share personal stories and insights from fellow student travelers, faculty, and other guests.
Badgers Abroad
Episode #4 - Planning for Power Outages
A power outage refers to the complete or partial loss of electrical power in a specific area or across a broader region. They often occur when the supply of electricity to homes, businesses, or infrastructure is disrupted or interrupted. Power outages can and will happen when you're overseas, particularly if you're in a developing area or a region that is heavily affected by climate change. Today’s episode will cover power outages and how to plan for and respond to them while you’re traveling.
The impact of power outages can range from minor inconveniences to significant and prolonged threats to your health and safety. Many travelers probably do not think about how outages can affect them while they’re traveling, especially when they’re traveling internationally. Hopefully, this podcast will change that.
References and resources from the podcast are listed below:
- Ready.gov, Planning for Water
- Ready.gov, Planning for Food
- U.S. Mission in South Africa Message on Sustained Power Outages
- Ready.gov, Power Outages
- CDC, Power Outages
- American Red Cross, Power Outage Safety
- 10-hour blackouts: What is behind the South Africa's energy crisis? | DW News (YouTube)
- Ready.gov, How to Build an Emergency Kit
- U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- Eskom (South Africa) Municipal Load Shedding Schedule