Emergency Protocol
The Office of Global Engagement monitors safety issues in countries and locations for all of our programs. The department regularly reviews State Department alerts and warnings and other reports to learn of any emerging safety concerns. If you are impacted by an emergency situation, you have a number of support resources available to you. It is important to familiarize yourself with these resources prior to your arrival in the host country, so that you can quickly respond if needed in an emergency situation.
1. Get immediate help. Know the local equivalent of 911 so that you can get immediate emergency assistance. Click here to find the equivalent of 911 in your host country or go to https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf
2. Notify your on-site contact. Know how to reach your on-site director, host institution or program provider emergency contact. Someone is available to you 24/7 on-site and you should contact this person as soon as is prudent so that they may assist you.
3. Contact your insurance provider. Global Medical and Security Assistance Quinnipiac University recognizes our duty in safeguarding the health and safety of our faculty and students involved in Education Abroad. QU has partnered with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and AXA Assistance
The services provided by (CISI) and AXA Assistance range from simple telephone advice from a field expert, referrals to vetted providers to full-scale medical and security evacuations.Pre-departure preparation: By logging onto (CISI) and AXA Assistance website https://www.culturalinsurance.com/quinnipiac/study-abroad.asp you can enroll. While abroad: AXA Assistance will help you to locate a qualified health care provider, replace a prescription or simply answer a general medical or security concern. In an emergency: AXA Assistance can ensure you get immediate care whether it requires evacuating you to a center of medical excellence or closely monitoring your condition with local doctors. This assistance program is provided to you by Quinnipiac to protect against a variety of difficulties that could arise while you are abroad. All students will be required to purchase and be enrolled into CISI/AXA Assistance Global Medical and Security Assistance while abroad. Please see Emergency Flyer from CISI
5. Contact The Office of Global Engagement. During regular business hours contact 203-582-3596 . You can call the QU Public Safety Department at (203) 582-6200 at any hour of the day, to report an emergency and/or request assistance from The Office of Global Engagement. The dispatcher who takes your call will collect information from you and immediately notify a The Office of Global Engagement staff member who can assist.
6. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy. Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies abroad are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also, note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at +1 (202) 501-4444.
7. Contact your family. If you are involved in an emergency, it is important for you to remain in contact with your family. They will be concerned about your well-being and will be anxious for regular updates from you. In addition, Quinnipiac will communicate with your emergency contact that you have submitted to provide updates to the emergency situation.
2. Notify your on-site contact. Know how to reach your on-site director, host institution or program provider emergency contact. Someone is available to you 24/7 on-site and you should contact this person as soon as is prudent so that they may assist you.
3. Contact your insurance provider. Global Medical and Security Assistance Quinnipiac University recognizes our duty in safeguarding the health and safety of our faculty and students involved in Education Abroad. QU has partnered with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and AXA Assistance
The services provided by (CISI) and AXA Assistance range from simple telephone advice from a field expert, referrals to vetted providers to full-scale medical and security evacuations.Pre-departure preparation: By logging onto (CISI) and AXA Assistance website https://www.culturalinsurance.com/quinnipiac/study-abroad.asp you can enroll. While abroad: AXA Assistance will help you to locate a qualified health care provider, replace a prescription or simply answer a general medical or security concern. In an emergency: AXA Assistance can ensure you get immediate care whether it requires evacuating you to a center of medical excellence or closely monitoring your condition with local doctors. This assistance program is provided to you by Quinnipiac to protect against a variety of difficulties that could arise while you are abroad. All students will be required to purchase and be enrolled into CISI/AXA Assistance Global Medical and Security Assistance while abroad. Please see Emergency Flyer from CISI
5. Contact The Office of Global Engagement. During regular business hours contact 203-582-3596 . You can call the QU Public Safety Department at (203) 582-6200 at any hour of the day, to report an emergency and/or request assistance from The Office of Global Engagement. The dispatcher who takes your call will collect information from you and immediately notify a The Office of Global Engagement staff member who can assist.
6. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy. Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies abroad are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also, note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at +1 (202) 501-4444.
7. Contact your family. If you are involved in an emergency, it is important for you to remain in contact with your family. They will be concerned about your well-being and will be anxious for regular updates from you. In addition, Quinnipiac will communicate with your emergency contact that you have submitted to provide updates to the emergency situation.
1. Be familiar with all materials sent to you by your Program or the The Office of Global Engagement
2. Report your independent travel plans to your on-site director or program provider.
3. Review the Emergency Protocol above.
5. Make 2 copies of your passport. Leave one with your family and bring one with you on your trip and keep it separate from your passport. While you are traveling, protect your passport. Use a money belt or neck pouch.
6. Keep the Onsite director and QU emergency numbers with you at all times.
7. Learn as much as you can about your country before you go.
8. Register with the U.S. Embassy, Registration is free and allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.
9. Develop with your family a plan for telephone or e-mail contact, so that in case of emergency you will be able to communicate with your parents directly about your safety and well-being.
10. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to their laws.
11. Bring a credit card or make sure to have access to additional funds in case of an emergency.
12. During a political crisis or some other emergency during which foreigners in general or U.S. citizens, in particular, may be at risk, keep a low profile; avoid demonstrations, confrontations or situations where you could be in danger; avoid behavior that could call attention to yourself; avoid locales where foreigners or U.S. Americans are known to congregate; avoid using luggage tags and wearing clothes that would label you as U.S. Americans.
2. Report your independent travel plans to your on-site director or program provider.
3. Review the Emergency Protocol above.
5. Make 2 copies of your passport. Leave one with your family and bring one with you on your trip and keep it separate from your passport. While you are traveling, protect your passport. Use a money belt or neck pouch.
6. Keep the Onsite director and QU emergency numbers with you at all times.
7. Learn as much as you can about your country before you go.
8. Register with the U.S. Embassy, Registration is free and allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.
9. Develop with your family a plan for telephone or e-mail contact, so that in case of emergency you will be able to communicate with your parents directly about your safety and well-being.
10. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to their laws.
11. Bring a credit card or make sure to have access to additional funds in case of an emergency.
12. During a political crisis or some other emergency during which foreigners in general or U.S. citizens, in particular, may be at risk, keep a low profile; avoid demonstrations, confrontations or situations where you could be in danger; avoid behavior that could call attention to yourself; avoid locales where foreigners or U.S. Americans are known to congregate; avoid using luggage tags and wearing clothes that would label you as U.S. Americans.
- Global Medical and Security Assistance Quinnipiac University recognizes our duty in safeguarding the health and safety of our faculty and students involved in Education Abroad. QU has partnered with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and AXA Assistance
The services provided by (CISI) and AXA Assistance range from simple telephone advice from a field expert, referrals to vetted providers to full-scale medical and security evacuations.Pre-departure preparation: By logging onto (CISI) and AXA Assistance website https://www.culturalinsurance.com/quinnipiac/study-abroad.asp you can enroll. While abroad: AXA Assistance will help you to locate a qualified health care provider, replace a prescription or simply answer a general medical or security concern. In an emergency: AXA Assistance can ensure you get immediate care whether it requires evacuating you to a center of medical excellence or closely monitoring your condition with local doctors. This assistance program is provided to you by Quinnipiac to protect against a variety of difficulties that could arise while you are abroad. All students will be required to purchase and be enrolled into CISI/AXA Assistance Global Medical and Security Assistance while abroad. Please see Emergency Flyer from CISI.
While you are abroad, you are expected to exercise the same safety precautions you would at home. Use common sense, avoid confrontations, familiarize yourself with the area, and PLEASE do not place yourself in any unnecessary dangerous situations.
Personal Responsibility and Communication
- Be aware that you are responsible for your own decisions and actions.
- Understand and comply with all terms and conditions of your program.
- If you have been a victim of a crime, report this immediately to your program director.
- Do not be free with information about yourself or other students, including your travel itinerary or class schedule.
- Develop a plan for regular communication so that in times of heightened political tensions or local incidents, you will be able to communicate with your family directly about your safety and well-being. Additional Considerations
- While you are abroad, use common sense to protect yourself. Don’t travel with anything you are not prepared to lose; avoid confrontations; try to blend in as much as possible; familiarize yourself with the area; ask the locals where the safe part of town is, and if you feel insecure in a certain place, don’t go there. Do not expose yourself to unnecessarily dangerous situations. It is usually difficult to avoid looking like a foreigner; be aware that that makes more vulnerable to theft and crime.
- Try to fit in with the surroundings and be "invisible," remaining alert to your surroundings
- Avoid possible target areas, especially places frequented by Americans
- Avoid using American logos on your belongings or clothing, especially athletic wear
- Keep all valuables on your person in a discreet place, preferably stowed away in a money belt or a pouch that hangs around your neck and under clothing. Do not leave valuables unattended. Do not wear expensive clothes or jewelry, or carry expensive luggage
- Try to avoid arriving late at night to cities with which you are not familiar. Try to stay on well-lit, heavily traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through alleys. Stay in the middle of the sidewalk; avoid walking close to the street or buildings. Walk against the flow of traffic so oncoming vehicles can be observed. Do not use an electronic device on the street.
- When possible, travel with another person. It is not advisable to sleep on a train if you are traveling alone. Do not agree to watch the belongings of a person whom you do not know. Do not borrow suitcases. Ensure that nothing is inserted into yours. Take off your luggage tags after arrival. In all public places, remain alert.
- Do not hitchhike.
- Never leave handbags/purses/baggage unattended and make sure they are locked. If the item has a shoulder strap, wear it crossing the strap over your body. Do not put valuables in the exterior pockets of book bags or backpacks or in bags that are open at the top
- Whenever possible, speak in the local language.
- Be street wise. Avoid deserted areas and exercise caution in crowds.
- Avoid impairing your judgment due to excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Be aware that pickpockets exist and tend to prey on people who look lost or do not seem to be paying attention to their surroundings.
- Keep up with the local news through newspapers, radio and television, and, in the event of disturbances or protests, do NOT get involved – this can be illegal in some countries
- Report suspicious events immediately; contact your leader or resident director if you observe suspicious persons within the premises of your educational environment. Act similarly if anything might indicate threats or an actual terrorist attack on the premises or on student activities. If you have been a victim of a crime, report it immediately to your leader or resident director
- Develop with your U.S. family a plan for regular communication so that in times of heightened political tensions or local incidents you will be able to communicate with your family directly about your safety and well-being.
- Be wary of people not associated with your program. Do not give out your or anyone else's address or telephone number to strangers. Don't give away your class or field trip schedule
- Inform your leader or resident director of your itinerary when you are traveling, even if only overnight, and where and how to contact you in case of an emergency.
- Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct, and emergency procedures of the program; obey host country laws and observe local customs. You are responsible for your own decisions and actions.
- Be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks; promptly express any health or safety concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals.
- Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others, comply with local laws, regulations, and customs of the host country, community, institution, and study abroad program, and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.
- Traffic and swimming accidents are the leading cause of death among travelers.
- AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (i.e. Hepatitis B) are a global problem.
- Always use clean water for brushing your teeth and for drinking
- Swim only in well-maintained chlorinated pools or in unpolluted parts of the ocean.
There are four major types that are used: Rohypnol (Roofies, Ruffles, R2, Roche, Forget-Pill), GHB (Liquid Extacy, Liquid X), Ketamine Hydrochloride (“K”, Special K, Vitamin K), Ecstasy (MDMA)
Date rape drugs have become infamous because they can cause memory “blackouts” or periods of memory loss that follow ingestion of the drug with alcohol. Victims who have been raped with these drugs have reported waking up in strange rooms with no memory of the previous night. Predators dissolve a few tablets of the drug in a drink and give it to an unaware victim. The victim drinks the contents and within 20-30 minutes begins to feel the effects of the drug. Among their effects, these drugs act as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and cause amnesia. When mixed with alcohol, the effects occur more rapidly.
How can I protect myself?
• Do not accept drinks from anyone other than a server.
• Do not accept drinks from a punch bowl or other open container.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Educate yourself – find which drugs are currently in use.
• Don’t drink anything that has a funny taste, smell or color.
• Check in with friends every 20 minutes. If something seems strange, leave immediately.
Dating and Sex
It is important to note that different cultures have different norms in regard to gender. Women and men should both be aware that the ways people interact varies widely by region and country, and issues around dating and sexuality can be particularly difficult in a cross-cultural setting. Such things as eye contact, the way one dresses, and body language can send very different messages by region and culture. Observing interpersonal interactions within a culture can be useful in helping you choose the way you communicate verbally and non-verbally with others in that country. Traveling is often a new and exciting venture. Meeting new and different people may stimulate action that you would not have taken under similar circumstances in the United States. Don’t be foolish in assuming that you are invulnerable, because you are a visitor in the country (and no one is judging your behavior). Ask yourself why you are choosing to be sexually active and be aware of and set your boundaries and partner expectations. If you choose to be sexually active, practice safe sex and protect yourself and your partner against unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Alcohol and Drugs
Each year, more than 2,500 American citizens have arrested abroad– about half on narcotics charges, including possession of very small amounts of illegal substances. A drug that may be legal in one country may not be legal in a neighboring nation. Some young people are victimized because they may be unaware of the laws, customs, or standards of the country they are visiting. Besides drugs, alcohol can also get U.S. citizens in trouble abroad. Students have been arrested for being intoxicated in public areas, for underage drinking, and for drunk driving. Some young Americans go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct. Many believe that they are immune from prosecution in foreign countries because they are American citizens. The truth is that Americans are expected to obey all of the laws of the countries they visit, and those who break these laws sometimes face severe penalties, including prison sentences. Disorderly or reckless behavior is also to be avoided. In many countries, conduct that would not result in an arrest here in the U.S. constitutes a violation of local law. It is crucial that young Americans be aware of this risk as they are enjoying their time abroad. Being arrested is not the only thing that can happen abroad. Young Americans have suffered injury or even death from automobile accidents, drowning’s, and falls, in addition to other mishaps. While these accidents are sometimes chance occurrences, many are caused by alcohol or drug abuse. Other Americans have been raped or robbed because they have found themselves in unfamiliar locales or are incapable of exercising prudent judgment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Remember Reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or worse. It is possible to have a safe and fun trip by avoiding risky behavior and becoming familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel. To obtain more information about traveling abroad, check the Department of State’s website.
Date rape drugs have become infamous because they can cause memory “blackouts” or periods of memory loss that follow ingestion of the drug with alcohol. Victims who have been raped with these drugs have reported waking up in strange rooms with no memory of the previous night. Predators dissolve a few tablets of the drug in a drink and give it to an unaware victim. The victim drinks the contents and within 20-30 minutes begins to feel the effects of the drug. Among their effects, these drugs act as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and cause amnesia. When mixed with alcohol, the effects occur more rapidly.
How can I protect myself?
• Do not accept drinks from anyone other than a server.
• Do not accept drinks from a punch bowl or other open container.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Educate yourself – find which drugs are currently in use.
• Don’t drink anything that has a funny taste, smell or color.
• Check in with friends every 20 minutes. If something seems strange, leave immediately.
Dating and Sex
It is important to note that different cultures have different norms in regard to gender. Women and men should both be aware that the ways people interact varies widely by region and country, and issues around dating and sexuality can be particularly difficult in a cross-cultural setting. Such things as eye contact, the way one dresses, and body language can send very different messages by region and culture. Observing interpersonal interactions within a culture can be useful in helping you choose the way you communicate verbally and non-verbally with others in that country. Traveling is often a new and exciting venture. Meeting new and different people may stimulate action that you would not have taken under similar circumstances in the United States. Don’t be foolish in assuming that you are invulnerable, because you are a visitor in the country (and no one is judging your behavior). Ask yourself why you are choosing to be sexually active and be aware of and set your boundaries and partner expectations. If you choose to be sexually active, practice safe sex and protect yourself and your partner against unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Alcohol and Drugs
Each year, more than 2,500 American citizens have arrested abroad– about half on narcotics charges, including possession of very small amounts of illegal substances. A drug that may be legal in one country may not be legal in a neighboring nation. Some young people are victimized because they may be unaware of the laws, customs, or standards of the country they are visiting. Besides drugs, alcohol can also get U.S. citizens in trouble abroad. Students have been arrested for being intoxicated in public areas, for underage drinking, and for drunk driving. Some young Americans go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct. Many believe that they are immune from prosecution in foreign countries because they are American citizens. The truth is that Americans are expected to obey all of the laws of the countries they visit, and those who break these laws sometimes face severe penalties, including prison sentences. Disorderly or reckless behavior is also to be avoided. In many countries, conduct that would not result in an arrest here in the U.S. constitutes a violation of local law. It is crucial that young Americans be aware of this risk as they are enjoying their time abroad. Being arrested is not the only thing that can happen abroad. Young Americans have suffered injury or even death from automobile accidents, drowning’s, and falls, in addition to other mishaps. While these accidents are sometimes chance occurrences, many are caused by alcohol or drug abuse. Other Americans have been raped or robbed because they have found themselves in unfamiliar locales or are incapable of exercising prudent judgment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Remember Reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or worse. It is possible to have a safe and fun trip by avoiding risky behavior and becoming familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel. To obtain more information about traveling abroad, check the Department of State’s website.