Study Abroad

Study Abroad Emergency Protocol

Western Michigan University stands ready to assist students abroad and their families in the event of a serious family or personal emergency. Students are issued a WMU Study Abroad 24/7 Emergency Assistance card prior to departure. Students are instructed to carry this card on them at all times while overseas. The card includes simple steps for reporting an emergency and seeking assistance, as follows:

WMU Study Abroad 24/7 emergency assistance

In case of emergency, students are directed to do the following:

Call Kalamazoo Consolidated Dispatch at 1 (269) 488-8911 or 1 (269) 387-5555.
Stay on the line to speak to a dispatcher.
Tell the dispatcher they are a WMU student who is currently studying abroad.
Be prepared to provide the following information:
1. Name.
2. Current location (street address, city, country).
3. Name of the program the student is enrolled in and its location.
4. Nature of the emergency.
5. A phone number at which the student can be reached (provide two numbers, if possible).

WMU's Department of Public Safety will contact Study Abroad and the situation will be addressed according to WMU emergency protocols.

The back of the emergency contact card includes blank lines where students can write in numbers specific to their host country or program. Students are provided with the first two numbers at pre-departure orientation; the last two numbers will be provided at the in-country orientation.

U.S. Embassy:	_____________________________
Local 911:	_____________________________
Local emergency staff:	_____________________________
GeoBlue Certificate Number:	_____________________________

In the event that a student's family needs to reach them regarding a serious emergency while they are studying overseas, the family is advised to call Kalamazoo Country's consolidated dispatch at 1 (269) 488-8911.

Emergencies and Incident Reporting

In the event of an emergency while abroad, including either a physical or psychological crisis, please contact the following for immediate assistance:

(If participating in a WMU faculty-led program) Your faculty director.
Local emergency services.
Study Abroad Health & Emergency Insurance +1-866-693-6873 (inside the US), +1-312-935-9242 (outside the US)
WMU Study Abroad 24/7 Emergency Assistance +1 (269) 387-5555.

Report Sexual Assault or Misconduct to WMU: Title IX

Individuals should promptly report conduct that may violate Title IX. In addition, individuals are encouraged to report conduct that may violate criminal law to both the University and to local law enforcement. These processes are not mutually exclusive. Any University student, employee, or third party who seeks to report a sexual assault or misconduct should please refer to https://wmich.edu/sexualmisconduct/report for instructions.

Submit a complaint or concern

If you have a concern or complaint related to your experience working with WMU Study Abroad, please refer to the "Addressing Concerns" page by clicking the button below. Do not use this form to report an emergency.

Report Concern/Complaint

Risk Management

Health insurance, immunization and other health concerns

The Study Abroad Office does not provide health-related information to students.

The International Travel Clinic at Sindecuse Health Center provides immunizations and comprehensive information about other travel-related health concerns. Students may schedule a consultation with a Sindecuse professional to discuss travel immunization needs and health precautions. Students may also see their personal physician to receive required or suggested immunizations and other health-related information and warnings pertaining to travel and specific study abroad destinations. To complete all necessary preventive vaccinations before your trip, plan to visit the International Travel Clinic or your physician at least eight weeks prior to your planned departure. Schedule an appointment with Sindecuse's International Travel Clinic by calling (269) 387-3298.

All students participating in study abroad through Western Michigan University are covered by the WMU Study Abroad Insurance program.

Procedure

In the event of serious illness, accident or emergency, WMU Study Abroad may notify the participant's designated emergency contacts. Information may also be shared from the Student Health Emergency Treatment Authorization collected during the application process.

All participants must inform the faculty member-in-residence, on-site director(s), or program assistant(s) representing the host institution and the Study Abroad Office of any problems that arise during their stay abroad so that assistance can be provided. Prior to departure, the study abroad staff will provide specific instructions for requesting emergency assistance from the Study Abroad Office.

Additional Study abroad health and safety information

WMU Study Abroad Insurance Program—Mandatory insurance for all WMU study abroad students.
Individual Safety Plan—Required for students traveling to select destinations, based on U.S. State Department's designation of risk.
Study abroad overseas emergency protocol—Explains how students should respond to an emergency situation abroad.
Memo to students and parents—Explains how the University monitors health and safety issues for study abroad programs.
Gender-based violence and Title IX Resources for study abroad—Resource for students regarding the report of Title IX violations while abroad. Students reporting violations may find additional resources through this external site: Pathways to Safety International.
U.S. Department of State travel registration
External Resources: Center for Global Education, StudentsAbroad

Students are required to register prior to departure with the United States Embassy in the countries where they will be studying.

Individual Safety Plan

The United States Department of State issued a new travel advisory system in January 2018. Under the new system, every country, and in some cases specific locations and regions within countries, has a Travel Advisory, providing levels of advice ranging from 1-4:

Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
Level 4 - Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.

WMU Study Abroad will not authorize students to travel to countries at Level 4. Individual students who wish to travel to countries at Level 3 (or to countries at Level 2 with Level 3 or 4 locations and areas within) must submit to the Director of Study Abroad a summary of their study abroad program and itinerary. The summary must make specific references to the details mentioned in the Department of State Travel Advisory for the country, and confirm that their study abroad program is not impacted by the details in the Travel Advisory. The summary is then reviewed by the Director of Study Abroad and other relevant staff in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and a decision is made.

WMU Study Abroad is not supportive of developing new study abroad programs in countries with a Level 3 Travel Advisory. If you wish to request an exemption to this policy, the faculty leader must submit to the Director of Study Abroad a summary of their program itinerary, and must make specific references to the details mentioned in the State Department Travel Advisory, and confirm that their study abroad program is not impacted by the details in the Travel Advisory. The summary is then reviewed by the Director of Study Abroad and other relevant staff in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and a decision is made.

Note: If you are planning to take a group of students abroad, please complete the group safety form located in Faculty and Staff Resources.

Studying Abroad: Step-by-Step

Information provided in the Center for Online Education's “step-by-step guide” is created by a source outside of Western Michigan University and is provided here for general purposes only. Students with questions about international travel should contact WMU’s Office of Study Abroad directly.