International SOS

All Northwestern University students are required to register with International SOS, a security and travel assistance company, prior to their period of study abroad.

This free service provides students with access to an array of health, safety and other vitally important travel information and email alerts. We hope you'll find using International SOS helpful as you prepare for study abroad or during any travel while abroad.

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

Registration Steps:
  1. Using Firefox or Internet Explorer (some features do not work with Safari), go to http://www.internationalsos.com/

  2. Log on to the Members' Website (left hand side of the homepage) by entering Northwestern's group account number: 11BCAS000003
  3. Click on "Personal Travel Record" (in the fourth paragraph)
  4. Register by clicking on "New User? Register Here"
  5. After registering, you'll receive a message stating that your Personal Travel Locator has been created. You can log into this Personal Travel Locator at any time to add travel itineraries and update your profile.
You can print an International SOS wallet card by returning to the Members' Website and clicking on "Print Card" at the bottom of the page; be sure to carry the card with you at all times.

Northwestern requires undergraduate and graduate student travelers, who are studying abroad or conducting research or independent study in conjunction with their work at Northwestern, to create a Personal Travel Locator so that important information is available to International SOS and Northwestern on-call staff should students need to be located in a crisis or emergency.

Travelers have the option to sign up for medical and/or security email alerts by logging on and signing up. Medical alerts are issued when there is an unusual health risk that, in the opinion of the 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.

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.