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Health and Safety Abroad

Know Your Resources

CISI Medical Insurance

Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) is the leading provider of study abroad and international student medical insurance coverage. All students traveling with UIW are required to be enrolled by the UIW Study Abroad Office in CISI Medical Insurance.

Most U.S. students have some form of medical insurance, however, U.S. medical insurance plans are generally not accepted outside of the United States. Nor do Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs cover international medical costs.

Visit CISI Medical Insurance

Download a Claim Form (PDF)

International SOS

International SOS (ISOS) is an international emergency service paid for by UIW, which is utilized by all students traveling with UIW. This service is best utilized abroad with an in-country phone plan in case of emergency Travel Tracker is a feature of ISOS utilized by UIW Study Abroad to track students abroad. It notifies our office via email of emergencies/events near our students.

Please reach out to studyabroad@uiwtx.edu, to gain access to UIW's ISOS platform.

Visit International SOS

U.S. DOS STEP Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. UIW Study Abroad asks all students going abroad to enroll. This program helps the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest or family emergency.

Important Information

What is an Emergency?

An emergency can be defined in many ways, especially when traveling abroad. Emergency situations or topics that require immediate attention while traveling overseas include medical concerns or questions, the need for immediate medical care or legal assistance, being a victim of a crime, and/or being present during a natural disaster.

Rather than trying to define an emergency or an international emergency and regardless of the level of emergency, all international participants are instructed and encouraged to contact International SOS (ISOS) first. Access a copy of the list of ISOS services (PDF).

How to prepare for an Emergency

Before departing UIW, all students, faculty, and administrators are instructed to create an online account with ISOS, using UIW's member ID number. Please visit or contact the UIW Study Abroad Office to obtain the UIW member number. In addition, it is highly recommended to download the International SOS app. ISOS services can be accessed 24/7 by calling or via the ISOS app.

What to do in an Emergency

Steps to take:

1) Try to gather as much information before calling International SOS (ISOS):

Full name and student ID
Current country and city
Specific Location (i.e., school, hotel, hospital, police station, etc.)
Contact information (i.e., phone number(s), email, physical address, etc.)

2) Call or contact ISOS via the app and be ready to give as many details as possible in order to facilitate the process.

Remember the five W's and the one H rule (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How). You may not have all of the answers, however, these details will help in addressing your immediate needs.

What to do after your emergency has been addressed or require additional support from the UIW Study Abroad Office

International SOS is your first point of contact. Furthermore, in case of an emergency, ISOS will be in contact with the appropriate UIW personnel, as they too will be apprised of your emergency. The Study Abroad Office is available to offer additional support and may be reached at (210) 805-3015 or via email (Monday - Friday, except holidays, between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST).

UIW Study Abroad and International Affairs emergency e-mail addresses:

Javier Lozano. Ph.D, lozano@uiwtx.edu

University Police: police@uiwtx.edu

Report a Non-Emergency Incident to UIW's Campus Life

Please visit the Campus Life's website to report a complaint/incident via online.

Questions or Concerns about Health And Safety

Please contact the UIW Study Abroad Office if you have any questions or concerns about Health and Safety Issues (between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST):

Grossman International Conference Center

847 E Hildebrand Ave., Ste. F111
lozano@uiwtx.edu
(210) 805-3015