In the event of a medical emergency,

• The traveler should go to the nearest clinic or hospital.
• Call International SOS, Temple’s medical insurance/assistance provider, at their 24/7 emergency assistance line, free at any time.
  • Provide International SOS with the traveler’s name, institution (Temple University), and the address and phone number of the hospital or medical facility.
  • International SOS will monitor the case closely to determine if medical care is appropriate and provide information on the adequate local resources that are available.
  • Often, International SOS can arrange for a guarantee of payment to be made to the medical facility for treatment. If they cannot directly pay the medical facility, the traveler will be reimbursed for the cost of treatment.
• Students studying abroad or traveling with a Temple group leader should notify their program/resident director as soon as possible.
• If there is no on-site staff associated with the program or the patient is traveling independent of a group, call Temple University’s Police 24/7 at 215-204-1234. TUPD will locate the director, international risk management (or her back-up), who will return the call.

If the traveler has been a victim of a crime, harassment, discrimination, terrorism, natural disaster, etc. there is help available from Temple University.

• Students studying abroad or traveling with a Temple group leader should notify their program/resident director as soon as possible.
• If there is no on-site staff associated with the program or the patient is traveling independent of a group, call Temple University’s Police 24/7 at 215-204-1234. TUPD will locate the director, international risk management (or her back-up), who will return the call.

Another option for American citizens is to contact the U.S. Department of State’s (U.S. DOS) American Citizen Services, who are prepared to assist with emergencies abroad.

• Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or visit the U.S. DOS emergency abroad webpage to locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and to read more emergency information.
• From overseas, call 1-202-501-4444
• From the U.S. and Canada, call  1-888-407-4747

Learn more about managing security and safety situations on the Victim of Crime Abroad and Arrest and Detention Abroad webpages.

If you are a victim of a crime abroad, know that Temple University is here to help. We can advise travelers on replacing lost or stolen documents, credit cards, photo identification, etc.,as well as connect victims with counseling resources to help manage any subsequent feelings of trauma.

Travelers should contact their program director, trip leader, on-site staff and/or [click-for-email]. In an emergency after regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time), travelers can call TUPD’s 24/7 number at 215-204-1234.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS) is also committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime while abroad. Consular officers, agents and staff work with crime victims and to help connect individuals with the local police. Travelers can find the consular office in their local area by visiting this directory of U.S. embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions.

To replace a lost or stolen U.S. passport while abroad, American citizens must go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate and apply in person.

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for specific instructions, forms, and assistance.

Travelers of other nationalities should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of their citizenship for information about the procedure to replace a lost or stolen passport. Most countries have Internet web sites with contact information.

A victim of a crime abroad is encouraged to report the crime to the local police and obtain a copy of the police report. It’s helpful for local authorities to know when and where crimes happen to foreigners so that they can improve their efforts to detect and capture criminals. Also, such information can be used to warn future travelers about criminals’ tactics or targets.

In some locations, however, incidents that are considered crimes in the U.S. might not be considered crimes abroad. Also, in certain countries, travelers may not find local authorities very understanding or sympathetic to victims. If unsure, contact Risk Management or a trusted on-site individual for advice.

If valuable items were stolen, such as a laptop or other electronic devices, a copy of a police report will be required by your property insurance carrier should you wish to file a claim.

Special information is available for travelers who experience sexual misconduct abroad.

In an emergency where a student is capable of making his/her own follow-up decisions, the student decides whether or not his/her emergency contacts/parents/spouse are notified of an emergency.

Some exceptions apply, however. Temple University may choose, in consultation with others associated with the experience, to inform a student's emergency contacts about a real or perceived emergency abroad without the student's permission, such as when

• the student is unable to speak for him/herself;
• the student has been missing for more than 24 hours;
• the student is perceived to be a danger to him/herself or others; or 
• there is a significant health, safety or security incident affecting a study abroad program has occurred abroad (e.g., civil unrest, act of terrorism, extreme weather, etc.)

If the traveler is a faculty or staff member, Risk Management will work with Temple's Office of Human Resources to locate an emergency contact provided in one's employment records.