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Duke GEO Article
by the Duke Global Education Office

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. 

  • ISOS Logo

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. Should 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 Duke Corporate Risk Management at corprisk@duke.edu or 919-684-6226.  

ISOS is not health insurance

Finally, 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) to make telephonic or video counseling available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. All calls are answered live by counselors. Anyone, student, parent, or program presentation, 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.
 

Download ISOS Card

 

For more information about the services provided by ISOS, please see: https://travel.duke.edu/isos-cigna

 

 

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