Traveling Abroad? Learn More about International SOS & Staying Safe

in Global Matters
November 1st, 2023

International SOS Provides Health, Safety and Security Assistance Services to Travelers Abroad on BU Business and Students Studying Abroad

Boston University has partnered with International SOS, a leader in the international medical and security services industry, to provide health, safety and security assistance services to travelers  on BU sponsored international trips including students studying abroad. International SOS provides destination-specific pre-departure information and advice, such as entry and exit requirements, cultural and customs information, as well as health and safety risks including crime, terrorism, personal freedom, local disease outbreaks, local food/water safety, transportation safety, and more. Most information is available on the member portal and International SOS experts are also available 24/7 at the assistance hotline to answer questions and provide more specific information.

During your trip, International SOS can keep you apprised in real time of any emerging risks based on your current location and/or future destinations. They can help you find trusted local medical providers or identify medical and security concerns related to your trip. The assistance hotline is available 24/7 to provide health and security assistance or advice including arranging for urgent and emergency medical needs or evacuations.

Coming soon, on-demand virtual training will be available through International SOS’s digital learning library. Topics include travel safety for students, avoiding petty crime, stress management while traveling, and more. Once available, details on accessing the library will be included in the pre-travel advisory email sent by BU and International SOS to every international traveler prior to any registered trip.

Your International SOS member portal can be found at internationalsos.com. Log in using membership number 398GDA956456 and your BU username and password. International SOS also has a free assistance app, “International SOS”, available on both Google play and the Apple app store. The app provides access to the same features as the member portal on your mobile device. The 24/7 assistance hotline is available worldwide at +1-215-942-8487.

Boston University cares about the health and safety of all members of the Terrier community, whether you’re on the Boston-based campuses or traveling abroad. Global Programs has a dedicated Health, Safety & Security team to help keep Terriers abroad safe, and they can be contacted at GlobalHSS@bu.edu or 617-353-5401 to find out more information about the services available through International SOS.