In case of emergency, call the 24-hour University emergency number: 401.874.2121, otherwise, call the Office of International Education: 401.874.2395.
During the educational travel program, all program directors must:
Communicate with OIE
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- Notify OIE promptly of any concerns, inappropriate student behavior or emergencies, and document in writing the steps taken to respond.
- Notify OIE of any unexpected itinerary changes.
- Upon arrival in country, notify OIE that all participants have arrived safely; halfway through the program, check-in to apprise them of status.
- Keep apprised of local news and events.
- In the event of any adverse event (natural disaster, terror attack) that does or does not directly affect the group, but could generate international media coverage, e-mail and/or call the OIE, to inform them of participants’ status.
- Submit an incident report if an event occurs resulting in significant injury or crime, or if instructed by the director of OIE (Appendix C).
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Student Behavior
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- Be alert to participant fatigue, digestive ailments, dehydration, culture shock, jet lag, and symptoms of other illnesses; procure appropriate medical attention when necessary.
- Note any risky student behavior, and discuss with student as appropriate, noting potential consequences; document conversations.
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Safety Preparedness
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- Designate a meeting place- and a backup meeting place if the first is inaccessible- in the event of a large-scale emergency. A written address, phone number and directions should be in the local language as well as in English.
- Address what a participant should do if he/she has separated from the group.
- Have the local emergency phone numbers and nearest US consulate information.
- Design evacuation plans for each location visited.
- Carry a roster that includes the following for every participant: Participant name, passport number, emergency contact name and phone number, birth date, participant health insurance information, health and allergy information, and medications.
- Carry the CISI cards at all times.
- Have a first aid kit on hand.
- Know the location of the nearest immediate emergency medical service and the phone numbers for emergency medical service and police at each stop in the trip itinerary
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Cultural Awareness
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Upon arrival in country, and in each new location that presents potentially different safety concerns, hold a group meeting to:
- Review country- or region-specific health, safety, and security concerns.
- Review general safety measures from pre-departure orientation.
- Review medical and counseling sites.
- Review students’ responsibilities regarding their own personal safety and health.
- Review important cross-cultural issues that may impact health, safety, or security.
- Upon arrival in country, encourage students to contact their parents or other family members to let them know they’ve arrived.
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Common Responses for All Emergencies
Program Directors should have a copy of each student’s passport, CISI card, and emergency contact information on them at all times. The Office of International Education will also have copies of these items on file.
| Step 1: |
Assess and ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the student or students are alright both physically and emotionally. |
| Step 2: |
Immediately inform other participants not to call, text, email, Facebook, tweet, or communicate via any other social media, to friends or family until any affected student’s parents/guardians have been notified of the emergency situation by a designated representative from the University of Rhode Island. |
| Step 3: |
Contact the local authorities and/or CISI (when appropriate). |
| Step 4: |
Determine the urgency of the situation, and keep a log of what has happened, including the response measures taken (who, what, when, where, why, and how). |
| Step 5: |
Notify the University of Rhode Island immediately:
24-Hour University Emergency Number: 401.874.2121
Office of International Education Phone Number: 401.874.2395When contacting the University of Rhode Island, program directors must be prepared to provide the following information:
- Name of the student
- Details of the emergency
- Current location and Program Director’s updated contact information
- Name and contact information for a second local person
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