The well-being of student travelers is Duke’s top priority. To help safeguard university travelers, Duke has contracted with a travel assistance company called International SOS (ISOS), which provides emergency assistance and other services for all students (both Duke and non-Duke students) studying abroad on Duke programs. These services include access to:
- Medical, dental, and mental health experts
- Logistics support
- Travel, medical, and security reports
From assistance with medical referrals, guidance on traveling with prescription medication, to a full-scale medical evacuation by air ambulance, ISOS can support students on Duke study abroad programs.
Fees for ISOS services
Students who have been approved to study outside of the United States on a Duke-Administered or Duke-Approved program are eligible to receive many services from ISOS free of charge, including access to a 24/7-network of ISOS specialists, who can help provide security advice and medical referrals around the world.
Please be aware, however, that some of the ISOS services outlined on the Duke-ISOS Portal may have additional charges. If you activate a service that has an additional charge, you authorize Duke to bill you for this charge. Please know that such charges may not be billed until after you have returned from your time abroad.If you activate a service that has an additional charge, you authorize Duke to bill you for this charge. Please know that such charges may not be billed until after you have returned from your time abroad.
Countries covered under ISOS
Please note that most services provided by ISOS are available in all countries except for the student’s “home country,” which is defined as the country currently sponsoring the student’s passport. ISOS mental health support elements are available in the student's "home country". Any questions about this policy should be directed to the Office of Global Health and Safety at oghs@duke.edu.
ISOS is not health insurance
It is important to understand that, although ISOS offers students participating on Duke programs travel advice and medical referrals, International SOS is NOT health insurance.
All students studying away on a Duke-administered program are required to maintain personal health insurance coverage for the duration of their time away from Duke. See Insurance Requirements and Suggestions for more information about the health insurance requirement.
ISOS mental health support benefit
ISOS partners with Workplace Option (WPO) for counseling services – both telehealth and in-person. The first five counseling sessions are free. Subsequent visits can be covered using standard health insurance. Anyone, student, parent, or program administration, can initiate this benefit by opening a case with ISOS.
Download your ISOS card
All undergraduates studying abroad through Duke, including Duke students on Duke-approved programs, receive an International SOS wallet card, which contains Duke’s ISOS membership number as well as phone numbers for ISOS Alarm Centers around the world. We recommend carry this card with you at all times while abroad, programming the ISOS phone number into your phone, and leaving a copy with a family member.
For more information about the services provided by ISOS, please visit the Duke ISOS portal.