Emergencies – Health & Safety

BU Geneva students are enrolled with International SOS Health Insurance.

All BU Geneva students are enrolled in an insurance plan managed through International SOS (ISOS). ISOS provides medical and security evacuation coverage, as well as medical coverage to a limit of 1,000,000 USD with no deductible for the duration of the program.  The cost is included in the program fee. Coverage normally begins one day before the program’s official start date and ends one day after the program’s official end date.  For assistance with navigating ISOS, students may contact the Student Life office. 

From January 1, 2025, all questions regarding:

  • Availability of medication (including shipment options/costs)
  • Availability of specialists
  • Standards of local medical care
  • How International SOS Services work
  • Specific coverage of conditions or treatments
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Filing a claim, or status of a filed claim

24/7 Travel Support and Emergency Monitoring

ISOS also serves as a travel assistance company that provides pre-departure medical and security advice, extends medical and security assistance during travel, monitors potential hazards throughout the world, and provides location-specific hazard notifications.

In addition to contacting them for health insurance questions, students and parents may call ISOS for 24/7 overseas emergency response and support when a student is currently enrolled in a Boston University Study Abroad program. Students also receive in-country emergency contact information for their program prior to departure and during the onsite orientation.

For assistance, students should contact the International SOS 24/7 Assistance Center at +1 215 942 8478 or via the International SOS Assistance App. Identify yourself as a BU Study Abroad participant who needs assistance. You will need to indicate that you are studying in Switzerland.

Also see:   

BU Abroad Health Insurance and Travel Assistance 

Lost Passport

If you lose or have your passport stolen, you must report this to the local police and get a police report. In Switzerland you must get in touch with the US Embassy in Bern +41 (0) 31 357 7011.

Emergency Notifications

In the event of a major emergency BU Geneva staff will send out a WhatsApp and Email to all students. Students must reply to confirm they are safe and there may be instructions on what to do next.