Emergencies While Traveling

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As part of the comprehensive support services offered to University travelers and international program participants, the Global Safety & Security office works with other University offices, local, state and national government authorities, and International SOS, a private service, to respond to emergencies that might affect you.

A travel or international emergency involves one or more of the following:

  • Health issues, including mental health, requiring urgent or emergency care
  • The arrest, detention, or kidnapping of a Princeton traveler or international-program participant
  • The death of a Princeton traveler or international-program participant
  • An incident in which a Princeton traveler is the victim of a violent or other serious crime, including sexual assault of any type
  • A Princeton traveler who has been missing or otherwise out of expected contact for more than 12 hours
  • A security or other crisis in a location, requiring or likely to require the evacuation of one or more Princeton travelers or international program participants to a safer location

​​​​​​In an Emergency Outside the United States

  1. Ensure you are in a safe place where you have access to a telephone.
  2. As appropriate to the situation and location, contact local emergency services.
  3. Contact International SOS at +1-215-942-8478. Inform them you are a Princeton affiliate in need of emergency assistance.
  4. If you cannot reach International SOS, contact the Princeton Department of Public Safety at +1-609-258-3333. Request to speak with the Global Safety & Security duty officer.

In an Emergency While Traveling Inside the United States

  1. Ensure you are in a safe place where you have access to a telephone.
  2. As appropriate to the situation, call 911.
  3. Contact the Princeton Department of Public Safety at +1-609-258-3333. Request to speak with the Global Safety & Security duty officer.

In an Emergency Involving Sexual Discrimination, Harassment or Misconduct

Regardless of your location, if you are impacted by sexual discrimination, harassment or misconduct, you can always reach out for help to Princeton's resources and report incidents to the University.

For those experiencing an issue abroad, you may contact International SOS at +1-215-942-8478 for assistance in identifying and accessing local medical care, counseling services, and for advice regarding interactions with local law enforcement authorities.

Wherever you are, you may contact the following confidential University resources:

You may also submit a complaint directly online or by contacting the Department of Public Safety at +1-609-258-1000.

Even the best planned travel or international program may encounter unexpected issues, and the Global Safety & Security office, along with other campus partners and our external service providers, are ready to assist.

Routine issues include:

  • Lost or stolen passports
  • Health issues not requiring urgent or emergency care
  • Missed flights or other booking issues
  • An incident in which a Princeton traveler is the victim of a nonviolent or minor crime, such as pickpocketing or theft
  • Issuance of fines or other minor citations for civil violations to a Princeton traveler or international-program participant

For problems related to travel arrangements, travelers who have booked through the Princeton travel program may contact World Travel for assistance.

For all other issues, if you are abroad, you may wish first to contact the U.S. embassy (or embassy of your primary citizenship) responsible for your location. The embassy may be able to resolve your problem or offer guidance and resources to assist you. In any case, you may always contact the University's contracted international service provider, International SOS, at +1-215-942-8478. 

If you are traveling within the United States, you may contact Global Safety & Security for assistance.