The Padnos International Center (PIC) is dedicated to the health and well-being of all travelers. We strongly encourage GVSU travelers to fully educate themselves on the health, safety, and other risks of their destination well before travel. We emphasize that this research is a key part of the educational experience of international study. We also believe that certain individuals may be better prepared to handle specific risks and destinations, based on factors such as language proficiency and prior travel experience.

Risk management decisions are part of the administrative review and approval of all GVSU-affiliated student travel. Students may not be accepted to study and/or participate in a particular sponsored program or location because of concerns related to that destination. Health and safety conditions may change after a student has already been accepted, which may also prompt a re-evaluation of the program or location. 

Applications to countries that have any of the following advisories or high-risk designations will require a Travel Appeal, which will be reviewed by GVSU's International Risk Assessment Committee (IRAC):

• US State Department - Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel)
• International SOS - risk rating of High or Extreme for Medical, Travel, or Security
• CDC - advisory or warning (Reconsider Travel) or (Do Not Travel)

Travel to locations with any of the above designations is less likely to be approved.

Additionally, particular programs, cities, or regions with a Level 2 or Level 1 designated risk rating may not be approved for a range of reasons, such as, but not limited to: widespread civil unrest, widespread disease or uncontrolled outbreaks of contagious or infectious disease, significant terrorist activity, or major natural disaster. The Padnos International Center will inform group leaders or individual participants of the travel appeal process should conditions exist that trigger a safety and security review by the International Risk Assessment Committee.

US State Dept. Travel Advisories
Travel Advisories for each destination country are posted by the U.S. State Department on its international travel website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

These advisories provide useful, detailed information on health, safety, and security for each nation, along with an identification of the current overall safety level for that nation. These levels include:

Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level, indicating that countries have standard and normal risks that travelers can encounter in any international travel. Travelers are advised to be aware of any potential risks, as risk exists anywhere, but generally, no special precautions are required beyond the standard precautions for international travel. 

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution:  Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.  

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.  

Level 4 - Do Not Travel:  This is the highest advisory level due to a significant likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have a very limited ability to assist travelers. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.   

TRAVEL APPEAL REQUIREMENTS

Student Travel Appeal or for Group Travel the Faculty leader should complete the Faculty-Led Group Travel Appeal (to be completed by the faculty leader only)

The travel appeal requires:

• detailed information about the nature of the proposed activities and the location(s) of activities
• Traveler's awareness of the current safety/security situation
• Compelling rationale on why academic or professional goals cannot be met in other locations that are not under heightened U.S. State Department Travel Advisories
• A plan for relocation should the security situation worsen
• Willingness to sign additional liability waivers, if exemption is approved

The Director of Study Abroad & International Partnerships will consult GVSU's International Risk Assessment Committee in the review of appeals. This committee will review the specific situation in the destination country, as well as the student petition, and approve or reject the petition as it sees fit. 

To submit, send your appeal to Ehren Kuzekov ([email protected])