Included in this page are efforts we take to help you stay safe and respond to emergency situations should they arise. Please note that these are simply guidelines on actions we will take; we handle all situations on a case by case basis to ensure you receive everything you need from us. That said, the ultimate responsibility for your health, safety, and recovery from emergency situations is yours.
How Orientation Prepares You for Emergencies
If you choose to participate in a CISabroad study and intern abroad program, you will participate in two orientations informing you of health and safety issues - once before you depart the U.S. and again when you arrive in the foreign country. During our pre-departure preparations, we let you know what health and safety issues you might expect when you arrive. At this time we also provide you with contact information of individuals in country who can assist you with any issues that arise while you are abroad. Once you arrive in country, you will take part in an orientation program that will highlight, again, local health and safety issues.
Insurance and On-site Preparedness
While overseas it is important that you understand the health requirements of the country. As part of your pre-departure orientation you will be informed of all issues relating to medical care, insurance and immunizations. It is also very important that you make CISabroad aware of any pre-existing health conditions that may impact you during your time abroad well before your departure. Announcement of any health conditions, either prior or existing, will not affect your admission to any CISabroad programs; quite the contrary, revealing this will allow for the host institution and CISabroad to make proper accommodations prior to your departure.
Medical treatment in a foreign country is not something we expect you to require, but should the need arise, we want to make sure you are adequately covered. The cost of medical and accident insurance, no matter where you study, is included in the program fee.
As part of our pre-departure orientation we inform you of issues relating to medical care, insurance, and immunizations. We emphasize that it is also very important that students make CISabroad aware of any preexisting health conditions that may impact your time abroad. (NOTE: Announcement of any health conditions, either prior or existing, does not affect admission to any CISabroad program.)
Our overseas host universities have medical and mental health services available to you when on campus as well as contacts with local physicians, hospitals, and other emergency services. You are made aware of these services during on-site orientations. In emergency situations, each university has an emergency contact person available 24 hours a day.
Definition of Emergency and Emergency Response Plan
An emergency is when the student is in a life-threatening situation or in a situation that may cause serious psychological or emotional trauma. If the problem can wait 12 hours, it is most likely not an emergency. The following situations would be considered emergencies and CISabroad has developed an emergency response plan for each these situations:
* Life threatening accidents or illnesses
* Crimes against a student (rape, assault, mugging, etc.)
* Arrest of a student
* Death of a student
* Missing student
* Natural disasters
* Psychological emergencies
* Terrorism
* War
* Political emergency
Emergency Contact Information
CISabroad offers 24-hour emergency assistance to all students and their parents in the US and in-country. We have on-site contacts available 24/7/365 in all of the locations we operate. These on-site individuals have a network of local contacts (police, fire, hospital, embassy) with whom they can be in communication should the need arise. Also, each CISabroad participant is given an Emergency Information Card which they are required to keep with them at all times. This card provides phone numbers for emergency contacts both in country and in the U.S.
Emergency Response Team
Joe Debiec, Program Manager- jdebiec@cisabroad.com
Amanda Bernhard, Program Coordinator – aberhnard@cisabroad.com
For faculty-led, customized programs only:
Scott Tayloe, Director of Customized Programs - stayloe (at) cisabroad.com
24/7 Emergency contact #: 413.210.7091
Suspension and Cancellation Policy
Cancellation or suspension of any program will result if:
- The US Department of State issues a travel warning advising US citizens not to travel to a particular country or, if in country, to leave
In cases where CISabroad is forced to cancel or suspend a program, or in the case of serious documented illness, the following refund policies will be applied:
- If the program has not yet begun, all funds will be refunded, less the $200.00 application processing fee and any non-recoverable housing/damage deposits.
- If the program has begun, CISabroad will refund any portion of the student's expense that has not been used or committed less the $200.00 application fee.
Refund Policy
A student who withdraws voluntarily will receive the following refund of fees paid:
- If a student withdraws more than 60 days prior to program commencement, CISabroad will refund all fees paid less the $200 application deposit and the $500 internship deposit (for all accepted intern students) and any bank fees paid while making online payments.
- If a student withdraws between 30 and 60 days prior to program commencement, CISabroad will refund all recoverable fees paid less the $200 application deposit and the $500 internship deposit (for all accepted intern students) and any bank fees paid while making online payments. Note: housing payments are often non-recoverable within this time period because this money has already been applied to guarantee housing.
- If a student withdraws less than 30 days prior to program commencement CISabroad will offer no refund.
- Any serious illness that causes a student to withdraw must be documented by a licensed US physician and notification sent to CISabroad.
Note: All voluntary cancellations must be made in writing to CISabroad. - If a student withdraws less than 30 days prior to program commencement CISabroad will offer no refund
Note: All voluntary cancellations must be made in writing to CISabroad.