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Study Abroad

Handling Emergencies

What constitutes an emergency?

Some examples include:

  • Serious or prolonged illness or injury
  • You or a fellow Illinois State student is suffering from extreme homesickness/depression
  • Checking in after a natural disaster, political unrest, etc.
  • You have been arrested

What does not constitute an emergency?

  • Academic issues: including grades, course credit, transcript, or graduation issues
  • Study Abroad application questions
  • Flight, train, bus, boat, etc. purchasing questions
  • Budget questions
  • Travel advice
  • Flight delays - you will have submitted your flight itinerary to your host university, they will see you have been delayed

24/7 Emergency Response

During business hours
(8:00am-4:00pm CST)
(309) 438-5276

After hours only
(309) 438-8631

After hours calls are directed to the ISU University Police and the on-duty officer will connect you with a member of the Study Abroad Team.

Handling an Emergency

Step 1: Gather All Pertinent Information:

  • Country and program of study
  • Return contact information
  • What, where, when did it happen?
  • Who is involved? Is anyone hurt?

Step 2: Contact On-Site Staff (and Faculty Director, if applicable).

  • They can provide immediate assistance.

Step 3: Contact OIE

  • During regular office hours (8:00am-4:30pm): (309) 438-5276
  • After hours call the Illinois State University Police Department (309)-438-8631.
    • The on-duty staff will contact a Study Abroad staff member, who will return the call.

Step 4: Stay Calm

  • Once contacted, OIE will work with the appropriate offices on campus and abroad to determine how the situation should be handled.
  • Parents, friends and family are asked to communicate with OIE staff to allow on-site staff to focus on working with students and local officials.

US State Department Overseas Citizens Service

In the case of an emergency abroad the US State Department's Overseas Citizens Service can also assist with situations such as:

  • Arrests
  • Deaths
  • Financial assistance
  • Medical assistance
  • Welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens
  • Disaster assistance
  • Victim of a crime

Office of International Engagement

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