General Information

• What to do in an Emergency Abroad
• PIC Safety Procedures
• Insurance Information
• Travel Advisory & Destination Policy
• Current U.S. Travel Warnings
• Participant Responsibilities
• Is it Safe to Go Abroad?

Health Information

• Sexual Violence
• Immunizations & Destination Specific Health Advice
• Medications
• Pre-Existing Health Conditions
• Global Epidemics
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention & World Health Organization 
• Mobility International 

Student health, safety and security is Padnos International Center’s highest priority. PIC regularly monitors the latest travel warnings from the U.S. Department of State, International SOS, as well as other resources, and has protocols in place should a crisis occur. Over 270,000 United States students study abroad every year, and the vast majority have a wonderful and safe experience. 

The level of support available to students while they are abroad depends on the type of program they are participating in. Faculty-led programs will have a GVSU professor on site throughout the program to assist the student on a daily basis. Partnership programs will have an international office which the student can get support and services from. Non-GVSU students will either have an office or an individual on-site to answer questions. At all times before, during and after the program, students are welcome to contact the Padnos International Center for support. 

International Emergency Procedures for GVSU Travelers

In an international emergency, knowing who to call is critical. GVSU has two primary 24/7 emergency contacts to assist you while abroad, with further context provided below.

• International SOS: (215) 942-8478
• GVSU Campus Police (616) 331-3255

Following contact with one of these groups, we ask that the caller fill out our international incident reporting form. The purpose of this form is to provide a structured way to document and report any health, safety, or security-related incidents that may occur while a person is traveling on GVSU affiliated travel. 

NOTE FOR Emergency Medical Care Abroad - RISK TO LIFE, LIMB, OR EYE: Go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call an ambulance if necessary (Here is a list of "911" equivalent  numbers. We strongly recommend you add the number to your phone in advance). Following this, you can contact your local provider/ISOS/GVSU, using the contact information provided below. 

For Sickness and Accident-Related Incidents:

International SOS: (215) 942-8478

• Call ISOS as soon as possible for urgent or same-day assistance related to health or medical issues.
• ISOS can help arrange medical transportation and care, provide advice on health and safety, and assist with lost documents or legal questions
•  Upon calling, identify yourself as a GVSU international traveler, state the country you're in, and briefly explain the situation.

For All Other Incidents:

24 Hour Contact:

GVSU Campus Police (616) 331-3255

Call this line for all other incidents that need a response within 24 hours.

• This includes situations such as:
  • Death or missing traveler
  • Student conduct issues
  • Loss or theft of passport
  • Sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct
• Identify yourself as a GVSU international traveler, state the country you're in, and briefly explain the situation.
• When you call the GVSU 24/7 International Emergency Line you'll be directly connected with the GVSU Department of Public Safety. They'll triage the call and contact PIC. 
• The International Emergency Lines are staffed by mandatory reporters. Learn more about sexual misconduct abroad.

Other Important Information

• Reporting Your Status: In the event of a major security incident in your area, please send an email to Ehren Kuzekov [email protected] to let us GVSU know you are safe. PIC will also reach out to potentially affected travelers to inquire about your well-being.
• Emergency Contacts: PIC may contact your domestic emergency contact if you are missing, unable to speak for yourself, are perceived to be a danger to yourself or to others, or in an area with that was impacted by a significant incident.
• U.S. Embassy Support: Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found at www.usembassy.gov/.

All study abroad students are strongly encouraged to carefully review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report for the country they plan to study in. The CDC report provides information on required and recommended immunizations, health and safety advice, and packing tips. Visit: www.cdc.gov

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers extensive information on health topics, critical health situations, statistics, world health reports, country-specific information for travelers. Visit: www.who.org 

All GVSU study abroad students are strongly encouraged to register their trip with the U.S. State Department through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Visit travel.state.gov for details. Students should also carefully review the country information posted on the State Department website, as safety and security considerations are often listed. 

MIUSA is a national leader on providing comprehensive disability support and resources for students with disabilities going abroad. If you have a disability, we strongly encourage you to utilize the resources available through this organization as you prepare for your journey. Visit www.miusa.org 

Current U.S. Travel Warnings
Center for Disease Control and Prevention & World Health Organization 
State Department Travel Information 
Mobility International