Health and Safety

Ensure your health and safety while studying abroad with Seattle University's comprehensive support, including medical insurance, emergency assistance, and pre-departure training.

  1. Academics
  2. Education Abroad
  3. Students
  4. Health and Safety

YOUR WELL-BEING ABROAD IS OUR PRIORITY

From comprehensive risk assessment of programs to pre-departure orientation and support while abroad, Seattle University and the Education Abroad Office support students’ health and safety abroad in a variety of ways. Students will receive more detailed information related to health and safety once enrolled in a program. 

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24-Hour Public Safety Line

If you are currently experiencing an emergency abroad, please call +1 (206) 296-5911. The 24-Hour Public Safety Line ensures that students studying abroad receive prompt care, intervention, or referral from staff and officers in urgent situations.

Health

Students are responsible for disclosing health matters to the Education Abroad Office and on-site staff in order to adequately discuss the impact of any serious health risks of those conditions. Students should consult their primary care physician prior to studying abroad and should obtain and carefully review health information related to the program as distributed by the Education Abroad Office, Program Provider/Host University, host country, and their primary care physician. 

Specific insurance enrollment depends on the program type. Students participating in SU Faculty-Led, SU-Exchange Programs, Non-Credit programs will be automatically enrolled in Global Medical Insurance from On Call International, the Travel and Security Assistance Provider. The cost of this insurance will be added to the student’s MySeattleU bill and is listed in the program’s Budget Worksheet. 

Students participating in SU-Sponsored Programs will receive Global Medical insurance coverage through their Program Provider. The cost of this insurance is included in the Program Fee. 

Students participating in a Non-SU Programs should discuss medical insurance options with the Program Provider or Host University. If insurance is not provided, students may enroll in Seattle University’s coverage through On Call. Contact your Education Abroad Advisor for more information. 

Seattle University partners with On Call International to provide you emergency and non-emergency services and benefits while traveling internationally. The program provides services ranging from pre-trip planning, to telephone advice, to full-scale medical and security evacuations.

Key features of the program:

  • Medical, travel, and security assistance including insured evacuation services
  • International medical expenses coverage
  • Coordination of emergent and non-emergent medical care
  • Coordination of travel arrangements for you or a person you designate for certain emergency circumstances such as your hospitalization abroad

Before you depart…

If traveling abroad, ensure you have the On Call plan information and contact information in the easiest place to reference it – on your phone. You can do this with a simple 2-step process without needing to login to anything or sharing any personal information: 

  • Visit this link from your phone or use your phone camera to scan the QR code below. 
  • Follow the prompts to save it to your home screen. This will give you a tile on your phone that opens a Resource Hub that includes information about the program and how to use it, as well as click to dial phone and chat links.  

While traveling…

You can make a collect call, send an email, live chat, or text On Call from anywhere in the world 24 hours day to request assistance. If you need medical care, encounter a travel problem, suffer a medical emergency, or are impacted by security crisis anywhere in the world, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of services available through On Call.

If you need Medical, Security or Travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, contact On Call 24 hours a day.

Explore these valuable resources in preparation for traveling abroad. You will find general and country-specific guidance related to immunizations, access to medical care and prescriptions, as well as other health considerations. 

Safety

Students should research safety issues, current events, and news within their host country prior to departure. Countries with elevated risk levels are restricted by SU’s Travel Advisory Policy. It is advised that students actively develop personal safety strategies and consult on-site staff for best practices within their host city/country. The Education Abroad Office will provide in-depth health and safety training prior to departure and help respond to issues if they arise in-country.

In an emergency abroad, students are directed to contact in-country resources first, if possible. This may include the on-site staff and/or 911-equivalent. SU can additionally provide support even from afar.

24-Hour Public Safety Line:+1 (206) 296-5911

The 24-Hour Public Safety Line ensures that in urgent or serious situations, education abroad participants receive prompt, appropriate and thorough care, intervention or referral from both program staff and Seattle University officers.

When to call: any situation which jeopardizes a Seattle University student’s physical or mental health, safety, well-being or program participation and/or requires the intervention of program staff.

Such events or occurrences may include, but not be limited to: civil disturbance, natural disaster, severe or prolonged illness or injury requiring hospitalization, disciplinary action, emotional or behavioral disorders, illegal actions (i.e. drug use), absence from program site, academic probation, etc.To assist program staff in addressing or resolving an urgent or emergency situation, it is vital that a Seattle University official be promptly notified.

Notification Information

Please provide as much of the following information as possible in any notification.

  • Student(s) names
  • Date & time of occurrence/condition
  • Description of occurrence/condition
  • Action taken by program staff
  • Action requested of Officer (if appropriate)
  • Return contact information

Notification Procedures

Public Safety will contact SU's crisis response team, including:

Kirsti Ruud, Interim Director & Assistant Director of Education Abroad

Office: (206) 220-8259 | ruudk@seattleu.edu

Alvin Sturdivant, Vice Provost

Office: (206) 296-6066 | sturdial@seattleu.edu

Dominique Maryanski, Interim Director of Public Safety

24-hour phone: (206) 296-5999 | drm@seattleu.edu

Policy on Seattle University-Related Travel to High Risk International Locations

Seattle University is committed to providing international travel opportunities for study, research, service, training, immersions, internships and other activities that fulfill the University’s educational mission. There is, however, inherent risk in international travel, especially in certain locations with heightened health and safety risks. Seattle University prohibits University-related activities and programs involving students to occur in locations under any of the following travel advisories or restrictions:

In compliance with the Policy on Seattle University-Related Travel to High Risk International Locations, student seeking to study in a restricted location must submit a petition to the SU International Risk Assessment Committee by the deadlines below.

  • July 15 (Travel September – November)
  • October 15 (Travel December – February)
  • January 15 (Travel March – May)
  • April 15 (Travel June-August)

Submit a Travel Advisory Petition

 Failure to complete a petition by the established deadline will prevent participation

Explore these valuable resources in preparation for traveling abroad. You will find general and country-specific guidance related to safety considerations.

Participating in an education abroad program is one the most challenging, yet exciting and rewarding experiences you can have during your collegiate career. Whether this is your first time studying abroad or you consider yourself an avid traveler, proper planning for your time abroad will ensure you are prepared for departure.

The Education Abroad Office will lead you through a mandatory pre-departure orientation, but it is important to take the initiative to learn essentials relative to the country you are visiting. The International Program Student Handbook is designed to assist you as you prepare for your time abroad.