What to do in an Emergency Abroad
Emergency Contact Information
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.
The following information will be helpful when gathering information about a critical incident:
- Name of person reporting the incident
- City, and country of where the incident took place
- Name and location of the study abroad program
- Student(s) names involved in the incident
- Date & time of occurrence/current condition
- Description of situation/incident
- Action taken thus far
- Action requested of Officer (if appropriate)
- Contact information of the person calling
- 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 [email protected] to let 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 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/.