Business hours for our Washington, DC headquarters are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. During those hours, call +1 202.833.7522. For urgent situations outside business hours, call +1 800.621.9559.
Our participants’ health, safety, and security is our top priority. From the application stage through preparation and the duration of the program itself, comprehensive support is unequivocally important. While staff take great care preparing for all program contingencies, occasionally issues arise that are outside of our control. To mitigate risk and respond when emergencies arise, we:
Maintain a 24/7 emergency phone for all program participants and family members
Register Americans traveling overseas with U.S. consulates and embassies
Closely monitor State Department travel advisories and local resources to assess safety risks
Prepare students to diminish local risks that are inherent in the host country environment
Maintain knowledgeable overseas staff who support and guide participants
Develop and train staff on American Councils Study & Research Abroad emergency protocols that address decision-making and information sharing during program and individual participant emergencies
Given the nature of the countries that we serve, unforeseeable emergencies are unavoidable. We work closely with U.S. embassies, U.S. State Department, local partners, agencies, institutions, travel experts, and insurance companies to remove students from unsafe situations.
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