Health & Safety
Health & Safety
Health & Safety
Many students and their families have concerns about safety abroad, particularly in today’s world. Whether traveling abroad as a tourist, student or intern, you will likely be entering an unfamiliar environment and, as with most other things in life, studying abroad does involve the possibility of risk. As a participant in an Oregon University System International Program, you have the advantage of a program infrastructure and/or individuals on-site to orient you to local safety issues and to support you in the event of a security or safety emergency. You will also be encouraged to take personal responsibility for your own safety and security. OUS International Programs cannot guarantee your safety and security but does make every reasonable effort to assure a safe environment while you are overseas and takes commonsense measures to alert students to concerns and manage emergency situations should they arise.
Emergency Information Back to Top
In an emergency where you require immediate assistance:
1. Contact AIG Travel Assist:
As a participant in an OUS study abroad program, you will be enrolled in the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan (formerly Acordia Somerton Insurance). The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan has two distinct components: medical insurance policy and global emergency assistance services. Medical insurance reimbursement claims may be filed after service and payment are rendered. Global emergency assistance services, however, must be arranged by AIG Travel Assist before services are rendered. These services include English language medical consultation, hospital admissions guarantee, medical evacuation, and more. Please familiarize yourself with the services of AIG Travel Assist. The contact information for the AIG Travel Assist Operations Center is:
1 (800) 626-2427 (toll-free within the United States)
1 (713) 267-2525 (outside the United States)
E-mail: customerservice3@aig.com
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER!!!! ALL GLOBAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES MUST BE ARRANGED AND PROVIDED BY AIG Travel Assist. NO CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED.
2. Contact (or have your site or parents contact) the OUS International Programs office to inform them of situation.
Office of International Programs: 541-737-3006
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific time zone.
24-hour emergency contact: 541-737-3010
In case of an after-hours emergency, call this campus emergency number to reach the OSU Department of Public Safety. They will contact the International Programs staff for you.
When you call, ask the name of the person to whom you are speaking, then give that person the following information, speaking slowly and clearly:
1) Your name;
2) Your location (including the name of country, province, city or town, and location within the city, such as street address);
3) How we can contact you (telephone number, fax number, e-mail address);
4) A brief explanation of the problem, and the type of help you are requesting.
We will try to contact you and arrange help for you as soon as possible.
Safety Precautions Back to Top
Whenever you travel abroad, you should take certain precautions that will maximize your safety in the event of a natural or political crisis. Although you are unlikely to experience an earthquake, be involved in an accident, or find yourself caught in a difficult political situation, you should have a plan of action to deal with these improbable events. Even though as a student the risk of your being involved in a dangerous situation is statistically low, we advise you to take certain precautionary measures against any risk. Your security will – as always – depend on your own conduct.
We recommend the following precautions anytime you travel abroad:
- Register with the nearest U.S. Consulate or your home country embassy (if not a U.S. citizen) so that in-country staff know how to contact you should the need arise. To register on-line with the U.S. Embassy, go to https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.
- Keep up-to-date on U.S. travel advisories or warnings for the country in which you reside or to which you might be traveling (http://travel.state.gov/). Do not travel in countries where travel advisories or warnings are already in effect.
- Try to maintain a relatively low profile and integrate into the host culture as much as possible. Avoid political demonstrations and large groups or gatherings. Do not advertise that you are a U.S. citizen and avoid American hangouts.
- Keep your local program leaders (program director, regional coordinator, or resident director), host organizations, host families/roommates, your family back home, and your instructors informed of your whereabouts if you plan to travel.
- Keep informed and alert of local issues/news. Stay informed by reading newspapers and magazines. In times of political turmoil, stay tuned to the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Voice of America, and the Cable News Networks broadcasts for U.S. State Department information.
- Do not carry baggage or parcels for other persons.
Incidences of either verbal or physical attacks toward Americans are relatively rare, yet they do occur. You can protect yourself with some common sense and the simple tactics noted above. Keep in mind that any comments directed at you are rarely personal. Don’t take them personally!
No one can guarantee your absolute safety while you’re abroad any more than we can guarantee absolute safety on your home campus. Be assured, however, that we have taken precautions and routinely monitor information about the issues and conditions in the locales where you will study or work. We have communication procedures in place so that if an emergency occurs, you will know whom to contact for information, counsel and assistance.
Health and Safety Websites Back to Top
Centers for Disease Control, CDC Travel Information
Official US government information about health conditions worldwide, including recommendations for immunizations, recommended standard precautions students should take and country/region specific information.
International Travel and Health
A recently updated publication providing information on a broad range of travel health issues that is published by the World Health Organization.
U.S. State Department International Travel
http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
Provided by the US government, this site is the essential starting place for U.S. citizens seeking information about travel risk assessments (crime, travel safety, health, etc.). Public Announcements and travel warnings can be accessed from this site.
US State Department Consular Information Sheets
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
Information sheets with in-depth summaries of everything from road conditions to security issues to location of US Embassies and Consulates.
Tips for Traveling
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
U.S. State Department publication with tips on a variety of topics for anyone planning to travel internationally