Health and Safety

The Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) and Ohio University consider your safety to be one of the most important aspects of your global experience. 

To support you on your program, OGO:

• Requires you to have a cell phone capable of making and receiving international calls while abroad.
• Requires you to attend OGO’s Bobcats Abroad Orientation, including a mandatory Health & Safety presentation.
• Maintains a 24-hour emergency line with a staff member on-call at all times.
• Monitors security information, International SOS updates, and U.S. Department of State advisories daily.
• Facilitates the OHIO Study Abroad Risk Assessment Committee, which reviews sites, incidents, and travel risks.
• Requires OHIO program directors to file an Emergency Plan prior to departure, which includes the program itinerary and local addresses of housing, hospitals, police, fire, and additional emergency contacts.
• Distributes an International SOS card to you (see below for more information).
• Requires U.S. citizens to register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State and encourages international students to seek similar support from their home countries.
• Enrolls you in mandatory international health insurance for the duration of your time abroad.