Minor and Major Emergencies

Most students experience a safe and healthy time overseas however a minor few are forced to deal with emergencies during their time overseas. Some of the more common minor emergencies that students may face overseas include: pick-pocketing, theft, illness, injury, and the consequences of alcohol use.

The majority of students can protect themselves from such minor emergencies in much the same ways they protect themselves from similar situations at home. However, what students consider a minor emergency here at home can turn into a more difficult to handle situation overseas. Small emergencies overseas can seem like larger ones due to language and communication barriers, and a lack of familiarity with your surroundings.

In addition to minor emergencies, some students may also face larger emergencies overseas. Frequently, these major emergencies tend to be events out of a student's control. Some unpredictable, major emergencies that could occur overseas include: natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, acts of terrorism, and serious medical problems.

In any case it is a good idea to prepare yourself for the unlikely event that you do experience an emergency situation while overseas.

List of people to call in case you are hurt, along with copies of your insurance papers, passport, and names of any medications to which you are allergic responding effectively to a crisis

• Registration with your local Australian Embassy or Consulate: When you arrive in your host country, register with the local Australian Embassy or Consulate. Registering with the Embassy or Consulate officials will make it easier for them to contact you in case of an emergency and to assist you in case you lose your passport, etc.
  

• Injury: Prior to departure or immediately upon arrival overseas, you should identify appropriate medical facilities in case of injury overseas. It is important to know whether your travel insurance will pay in advance for care, or whether you will need to apply for reimbursement.