Emergencies & Other Issues While Traveling

In An Emergency

  1. Ensure you are in a safe place where you have access to a telephone.
  2. As appropriate to the situation and location, contact local emergency services.
  3. Contact International SOS at +1-215-942-8478. Inform them you are a Georgetown affiliate in need of emergency assistance.
  4. If you cannot reach International SOS, contact the Georgetown Department of Public Safety at +1-202-687-4343. Request to speak with the Director for International Safety & Security.

Emergencies

As part of the comprehensive support services offered to University travelers and international program participants, the International Safety & Security office works with other University offices, local, state and national government authorities, and International SOS, a private service, to respond to emergencies that might affect you.

A travel or international emergency involves one or more of the following:

  • Health issues, including mental health, requiring urgent or emergency care
  • The arrest, detention, or kidnapping of a Georgetown traveler or international program participant
  • The death of a Georgetown traveler or international program participant
  • A victim of a violent or other serious crime, including sexual assault of any type
  • A missing Georgetown traveler or person otherwise out of expected contact for more than 12 hours
  • A security or other crisis in a location, requiring or likely to require the evacuation of one or more Georgetown travelers or international program participants to a safer location

Routine Issues

Even the best planned travel or international program may encounter unexpected issues, and the International Safety & Security office, along with other campus partners and our external service providers, are ready to assist.

Routine issues include:

  • Lost or stolen passports
  • Health issues not requiring urgent or emergency care
  • Missed flights or other booking issues
  • An incident in which a Georgetown traveler is the victim of a nonviolent or minor crime, such as pickpocketing or theft
  • Issuance of fines or other minor citations for civil violations to a Georgetown traveler or international program participant

For all other issues, you may wish first to contact the U.S. embassy (or embassy of your primary citizenship) responsible for your location. The embassy may be able to resolve your problem or offer guidance and resources to assist you. In any case, you may always

Routine Issues

Incidents Involving Sexual Discrimination, Harassment or Misconduct

if you are impacted by sexual discrimination, harassment or misconduct, you can always reach out for help to Georgetown’s resources and report incidents to the University.

For those experiencing an issue abroad, you may contact International SOS at +1-215-942-8478 for assistance in identifying and accessing local medical care, counseling services, and for advice regarding interactions with local law enforcement authorities. You may wish to contact the U.S. embassy (or embassy of your primary citizenship) responsible for your location. The embassy may be able to resolve your problem or offer guidance and resources to assist you.

For problems related to travel arrangements, travelers who have booked through the Georgetown travel program may contact Georgetown Travel Services for assistance.