The Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) and Ohio University consider safety to be one of the most important aspects of any international educational experience. The OGO has established Emergency Response Guidelines and Procedures to prepare for situations that may arise during a program and to help our faculty and others involved address emergencies appropriately.
If you are experiencing a MAJOR emergency and your immediate health and safety are at risk:
- CONTACT LOCAL ONSITE SUPPORT- Attempt to get in touch with your local onsite support staff (program director, site director, roommate, etc.) to alert them of the situation.
- CONTACT THE OGO 24-HOUR EMERGENCY LINE- If you are unable to reach help locally or need additional support, call the main office line +1 740-593-4583 and follow the prompts to be connected with a staff member.
- STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR SUPPORT TEAM- Try to update any of your support team that you've contacted during the course of the emergency.
For minor emergencies , such as a missing passport or non-urgent medical issue, remember to stay calm and keep your perspective. Minor emergencies can feel magnified when you are away. Assess the situation to determine your needs - for example, if you have a sore throat or are feeling feverish, call International SOS at +1 215-942-8478 or your international health care provider through your program to schedule a doctor's appointment. If you've lost your passport and you are not about to board your flight, try to retrace your steps and talk to your onsite staff about how you may get a temporary passport.
If you are unsure of your next steps, call the OGO 24-hour emergency line +1 740-593-4583.