Post on 30-Dec-2015
Student Overseas Travel
Over 1200 students expected to travel overseas in 2014
Students travel overseas• Exchange Programs• PhD students undertaking research• Industrial Affiliates Programs• Clinical Placement• Volunteer in the community for academic credit• Internships
Incidentally, 2,435 Staff & accompanying partners & dependent children travelled in 2013 (according to ISOS TravelTracker system)
Duty of Care The University recognises the need for students to travel overseas to undertake
internships or research as part of their authorized studies.
The University has a duty to take reasonable care for the safety and welfare of students when authorizing travel for approved overseas programs. GU have developed policies in accordance with its duty of care obligations.
This focus on physical risk can result in poor buy-in from students who resist hierarchical rules, feel invincible in life, and who do not readily see the inherent physical risks in traveling to unknown destinations
Most students are inexperienced travelers & are made aware of such risk with pre-departure information. This includes providing advice and recommendations, reviewing risks involved and taking measures to control or minimize any such risks by provided health and security information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) & the services of International SOS
It is also up to the individual traveler to put measures in place to protect their personal security and familiarize themselves with the types of crimes that occur and locations where they maybe particularly at risk.
Timeline Overseas Travellers
Following on from events in Mumbai & the tsunami in Samoa, the university needed a system to track overseas travellers
January 2010 a contract was entered into with International SOS to provided the following services:-
Travel Tracker on all overseas travel
Medical & dental referrals
Evacuation and repatriation
Medical expense guarantee
Emergency & routine pre-departure medical advice
Pre-departure Security Advice and Assistance
Travel health information
Emergency translation and interpreter services
June 2010 Students included into Griffith Corporate Travel Insurance Policy
First major test………….Japanese tsunami March 2011
Claims Experience
Student Travel ClaimsCalender Year 2011 - 2013
Staff Travel ClaimsCalender Year 2011 - 2013
Total Cost to Insurer
126 Claims
$178,515
Medical & Dental Costs
68%
Theft or Accidental Damage (phones, iPad, computers) 23%
Total Cost to Insurer
66 Claims$75,382
Medical & Dental Claims 29%
Theft or Accidental Damage 8%
Most claims for staff are cancellation or missed flight connection 44%
V
Types of Student Incidences Hawaii - Broken Jaw & Concussion, assaulted returning from “pub” > $30,000
Peru – Fractured arm
China – Operation for internal infection
USA – Assault - hospital & medical costs
Austria – Acute internal infection
Brazil – Electrocuted
USA – Alcohol poisoning or drugged following “frat” party
Tanzania - Express kidnapping
Peru – Dog Bite required rabies treatment in Florida, USA
UK - Reoccurrence of serious pre-existing medical condition requiring
hospitalization
International SOS program - how it works
Tracks all travelers via airline booking system
While overseas travelers have 24/7 access to the latest security, health, cultural
information, assistance & advice
While overseas travelers have 24/7 access to emergency response & support for
security or health crises
Use GU membership before or during your time overseas if you have:
Safety Concern
Medical Question
Medical Emergency
Security Emergency
Travel Assistance
“People can get injured because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s really about being aware of the risks before you go and staying up to date while you are there so you know where to avoid and what to do if you’re in trouble.” ISOS
RecommendationsIf you are involved with student overseas travel please ensure students:- Register with DFAT http://smartraveller.gov.au//index.html
Download country/city brief from International SOS & read the information (link available on GU Insurance webpage)
Obtain copy of Insurance Information sheet which includes emergency contact details https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/finance/insurance-risk-management/insurance-policies
Provide copy of flight itinerary to PFSInsurance@gu.edu.au if journey is not booked through a Griffith preferred travel agent (STA or WTP)
Questions ?
Trevor Case
Information on Insurance Programs can be found at:-https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/finance/insurance-risk-management