Safety and Security Resources for travel and study abroad
The following links provide important information and services for faculty, staff, and students preparing to travel abroad:
Incident Report
Please click here to complete an incident report: https://managementtools4.wlu.edu/WLUForms/WLU/Default.aspx?Form=3554
International SOS
W&L partners with International SOS to provide travel information, support, and assistance to the W&L international travelers. Through this partnership, you have access to a global network of 26 Assistance Centers staffed with International SOS doctors, nurses, and security experts. These Assistance Centers are available to you 24/7/365 to provide travel-related assistance, including pre-trip consults and advice and to support you in case of emergency. W&L Students, staff and faculty: Please find W&L's membership number and more information here and on your supplemental global insurance card.
Benefits to you:
• Ongoing International SOS updates/alerts relevant for your destination
• If necessary, International SOS can provide assistance
Access detailed information on more than 200 countries and 300 cities via the International SOS Members Portal
• Evaluation and analysis of health, travel, and security risks
• Daily updates on travel security, disruptive incidents, and situational developments
• Travel guides and cultural tips
• Subscription to proactive email alerts
Before you travel
Medical Information
• On-call: vaccinations, medical information, health threats, etc.
• Online: illness, hygiene, quality and level of local healthcare, precautions to take, access to healthcare, primary care, etc.
Security information
• On-call: transportation, accommodation, areas to avoid, recommended behavior, advice on a situation, specific advice for your travel profile, etc.
• Online: information on countries and large cities, level and types of risks, local customs, practical (telecommunications, currency, etc.) and political aspects, etc.
During travel / while abroad
Medical Support
• On-call advice: medical and emergency advice, referral to doctors and specialists as well as coordination of treatment with the treating practitioner
• Guaranteed payment of medical expenses
• Proactive email alert in the event of health risk in a country
Security Support
• On-call advice: security information and emergency advice
• Assistance in the event a passport or other official document is lost or stolen
• Referral to vetted security service providers
• Email alert in the event a situation develops or deteriorates
In the event of a medical or security emergency
Medical Assistance
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Hospital follow-up, control of healthcare expenses
Security Assistance
• Recommendations in the event of an emergency or critical event
• Organization of the evacuation and repatriation by our teams of in-field experts, through to the final destination
Resources to Prepare Your Travel
State Department Smart Traveler Program
https://step.state.gov/step/Students Abroad Website @ U.S. State Department (A great resources for students and parents)
https://travel.state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en.html
- Travel document information: passports, visas, registering with the U.S. Embassy
- Health information specific to your country
- Emergency information: what to do, where to go, whom to contact
- Embassy information
- Traveling smart: insurance, local laws, drinking & drugs
- News and alerts
U.S. Government Information Links
State Department Travel Alerts and Warnings
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.htmlCountry Information Reports
https://travel.state.gov//content/travel/en.htmlListing of US Embassies and Consulates
http://www.usembassy.gov/Passport Application Information
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html
Global Disaster Alert Coordination System (United Nations/European Union Site)
http://www.gdacs.org/
Evacuation Protocol
In the event of circumstances in a foreign country that may threaten the safety of American citizens, the University follows the State Department guidelines that outline emergency procedures.
All W&L Spring Term Abroad students have been registered with the appropriate embassy or consulate in the country where they are studying.
In the event of an emergency, Program Directors are instructed to immediately contact the embassy or consulate and to follow instructions.
Program Directors will maintain communication with the University which will then provide information to all interested parties.
For individual cases of student evacuation owing to injury or illness, all students are enrolled in the University medical insurance plan (supplemental) that covers costs for medical evacuation as well as political evacuation. Students will receive a copy of their insurance certificate prior to departure.