International SOS

Northwestern requires all undergraduate and graduate student travelers, who are studying abroad or conducting research or independent study in conjunction with their work at Northwestern, to register with International SOS, a leading travel and security services company.

This free service provides students with access to an array of health, safety, and other travel information as well as the ability to sign up for email alerts.  Information entered into your Personal Travel Location will be available to International SOS and Northwestern on-call staff should you need to be located in a crisis or emergency. We trust that you'll find using International SOS helpful as you prepare to study abroad as well as during your time abroad.  Watch this video to learn more about the many benefits provided by this service: International SOS Education Video.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Registering with International SOS

Check out this Personal Travel Locator demo video: http://www.internationalsos.com/productHelp

  1. Go to: https://ptl.travelsecurity.com

  2. Click on "New User? Register Here"

  3. Create a profile using Northwestern's group account number: 11BCAS000003

    After creating your profile, you will receive a message stating, "Your Personal Travel Locator profile has been successfully created. Click Here to Continue" -- click to continue.

  4. Click "Add a New Trip"

  5. Assign a name to your trip, then click on "Add a Flight"

  6. Enter flight details since this is required in order to complete your registration for NU.  Enter your flight itinerary one trip leg at a time by clicking on "Save" and then "Add a Flight" as often as necessary.
    (Do not use the Verify button for the Flight Number; you will receive an error message if your flight was not booked by a travel agent.  Also, when entering a flight number, do not include the airline code preceding the number.)

  7. After you enter all of your departure and arrival information, click Save. You will receive a confirmation message stating that your trip segment has been added.  Log out and then log back in to ensure that your flight details saved in the "My Current Trips" section.

  8. Log into your Personal Travel Locator at any time to add travel itineraries and update your profile.

  9. If your flight details do not save or you have other technical difficulties, submit a detailed technical support inquiry to International SOS:
    http://www.internationalsos.com/en/TechnicalSupport%20_enquiry.cfm

ISOS Wallet Card & Alerts

Study abroad students receive an International SOS wallet card in their Pre-Departure Orientation packet. If you lost yours or need another one, you can pick one up from the Study Abroad Office or print one from the International SOS website (log in to the Member site with NU's group account number: 11BCAS000003). Be sure to carry the card with you at all times while you are abroad.

Travelers have the option to sign up for helpful medical and/or security email alerts. Medical alerts are issued when there is an unusual health risk that, in the opinion of the International SOS medical staff, may negatively impact travelers or expatriates visiting a country. Security alerts are issued when International SOS security professionals have identified a security risk in a specific country. To view or sign up for alerts, log in to the Member site using NU's group account number: 11BCAS000003.

For more information about International SOS, see the news story in the Northwestern University News Center.

Questions about International SOS coverage should be directed to Christopher Johnson, Director of Risk Management: 847-491-8518 or risk@northwestern.edu.