Prepare for Travel

In addition to completing the travel checklist, be sure to do the following for your Stanford-sponsored or Stanford-organized international travel.

Download the App

Faculty, Staff, Students (no Cardinal Care)

Download the International SOS Assistance App from the Apple or Google Play stores now.

Postdoctoral Scholars

Download the Assist America App from the Apple or Google Play stores now.

Students (with Cardinal Care)

Add contact information for On Call International to your communications plan: Aetna Student Health, +1-866-525-1956 or +1-603-328-1956 

To text their Global Response Center use +1-844-302-5131 or you can use the live chat feature here: www.oncallinternational.com/chat.

Get Itinerary-Specific Recommendations and Guidance from ISOS 

Utilizing the template below, send an e-mail to International SOS (philadelphia@internationalsos.com) with as many details as possible about your proposed itinerary. International SOS typically responds with personalized, itinerary-specific recommendations and guidance within 48 business hours. In some cases, International SOS may ask you for consent and to identify which Stanford program you are traveling with before sending their response.

International SOS Travel Itinerary Template

Subject: Medical and Travel Security Guidance

Hello,

I am requesting medical and travel security recommendations for the following itinerary. Please also include an assessment and advice on [include any specific concerns e.g. risk of gender abuse, sexual assault and/or harassment, including legal and cultural implications], if any.

• Traveler Details: (e.g., female graduate student traveling solo, undergraduate student returning home)
• Travel Dates:
• In-Country Travel Locations: (regions, cities, neighborhoods, etc. to be visited while in-country)
• (If applicable) Housing/Lodging Details: (e.g., address or neighborhood of homestay/hotel)
• Transportation Plan: (e.g., while in-country, traveler will utilize public transportation)
• Relevant Language Abilities: (e.g., limited local language proficiency)
• Prior Experience in Country: (e.g., traveler has not been to this country or region previously)
• In-country Support / Resources: (e.g., traveler's work is supported by a local partner institution)

Extra Steps for "High" or "Extreme" Risk Travel

For faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students

Global Risk has developed some guidelines for travel to "high" or "extreme" risk destinations. Some of the protocols are:

• Secure program and Dean of School trip approval, indicating travel is related to a Stanford purpose
• If you are a U.S. citizen, register with the local US Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). (If you are not a U.S. citizen, the Department of State's equivalent in your country might have a similar program.) 
• Contact Global Risk (globalrisk@stanford.edu) to review itinerary, security, and logistics
• Receive/acknowledge receipt of country/region/city risk reports
• Sign the Stanford waiver, if necessary
• Ensure all key program agreements/contract(s) are in place
• Keep emergency contacts/communication plan on file
• Verify medical insurance, including medical care abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains