Abroadco staff is available during regular business hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time to answer any questions you may have. Our main numbers for use during regular business hours are 800-595-1973 or 480-777-7117.

Risk Assessment

All decisions regarding program operations are made with reference to data from a number of sources. In addition to the consular information sheets and advisory messages posted by the U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov), our Onsite Directors use information gathered locally, through contacts with the police and other study abroad organizations. In addition, the Abroadco U.S. Office closely monitors world events and receives updates from the Oveseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), of which Abroadco is a member. Abroadco utilizes this information, along with notices from other program providers and NAFSA: Association of International Educators (www.nafsa.org), to make decisions regarding program safety.

Orientation

Students receive pre-departure information about their program, including a separate handbook specifically dedicated to health and safety issues. Students are sent an emergency contact information card that includes information on local and U.S. emergency contact information. Every Abroadco program begins with a comprehensive orientation to the country, city, host institution, and program, which includes, among other information, an explanation of any local risks that the Onsite Director has identified and tips for enhancing personal safety. Finally, the Director registers each participant with the local U.S. Consulate or Interest Section.

Monitoring

Onsite Directors make every reasonable effort to keep abreast of local conditions and changes in local health and safety risks and to inform participants of these changes. The Abroadco U.S. Office subscribes to the U.S. State Department’s service and thus automatically receives any Travel Warnings and Advisories as soon as they are issued. The U.S. Office forwards all pertinent information on to the Onsite Directors.

Local Contingency Plans

Each Abroadco program has contingency plans which will be activated in case there is a known local condition that requires (a) extra caution, (b) removal of the program to a different site in the same city or country or a nearby country, or (c) suspension of a program and evacuation of participants.

In the Event of a Local Emergency

The Onsite Director contacts participants as soon as possible to ascertain participants’ well-being, and to provide information, instructions, and advice.
The Onsite Director contacts the local U.S. embassy, consulate, or Interest Section, and also confers with other study abroad providers and/or U.S. enterprises in the area.
Depending on the situation, the Onsite Director may or may not gather the participants together in a group.
Participants are advised to contact their parents, guardians, or emergency contacts as soon as possible.
The Onsite Director reports to the Abroadco U.S. office within 24 hours.
The Abroadco U.S. Office reports to sending schools within 48 hours.
Depending on the severity of the situation, the Abroadco U.S. Office may also report to participants’ emergency contacts.

In the Event of a Worldwide Crisis Such as Armed Conflict Involving U.S. Forces

In addition to the measures in the previous section:

Each Onsite Director advises the Abroadco U.S. Office as to what action should be taken, if any, modifying or suspending the program.
The Abroadco U.S. Office consults with the U.S. State Department and other sources of information and confers with other third party providers to develop specific actions to be taken.
The Abroadco U.S. Office posts notices on its website, communicates with home institutions, and with participants’ emergency contacts.

Advice for Participants and their Families

Abroadco strongly recommends that participants designate their parents as emergency contact persons.

Participants and their emergency contacts need to keep in touch with each other throughout the participants’ time out of the U.S.
Participants must provide their parents and/or emergency contacts with accurate and up-to-date local contact information at all times.
Participants should immediately notify their emergency contacts in the event of any emergency, accident, serious health problem, or other serious mishap.