In this week’s travel law article, we examine the case of Thackurdeen v. Duke University, No. 1:16CV1108 (M.D.N.C. 2018) wherein “Plaintiffs Roshni Thackurdeen and Raj B. Thackurdeen filed the present action, individually, and as co-administrators of their late son’s estate. During the spring of 2012, their son, Ravi Thackurdeen, died while a student enrolled in the Global Health and Tropical Medicine Program…a college study abroad program, in Costa Rica. However, while attending the Global Health Program, he was enrolled at Duke (University) and OTS (Organization for Tropical Studies)…In support of their negligence claims, the Thackurdeens allege that Duke and OTS failed to exercise reasonable care and breached their duty to Ravi by, among other things: taking the students to Playa Tortuga, a beach of notorious for rip currents, failing to make inquiries regarding dangerousness and safety measures, failing to warn the students of the dangers of Playa Tortuga and swimming in the ocean, failing to request lifeguards and failing to rescue Ravi…Plaintiffs’ negligence and wrongful death claims are barred pursuant to valid waiver and release agreements. The intentional infliction of emotional distress claim against both Duke and OTS remains”. Compare another disastrous drowning during a college related bird watching tour to Costa Rica [Mayer v. Cornell University, 107 F. 3d 3 (2d Cir. 1997), cert. denied 1997 WL 336602 (Sup. Ct. 1997)] and the Chinese Tick case [Munn v. The Hotchkiss School, 166 A. 3d 1167 (Conn. Sup. 2017) and Munn v. The Hotchkiss School, No. 14-2410-cv (2d Cir. February 6, 2018) to be discussed in next week’s travel law article]