Study Abroad: An Interactive Code Red Exercise

Study Abroad: An Interactive Code Red Exercise June 20, 2018 The Forum on Education Abroad Standards of Good Practice Institutes Arcadia University, Glenside, Pa.

Speakers Prof. Robert L. Quigley, MD, D.Phil. Senior Vice President and Regional Medical Director International SOS Lisa Zimmaro, Esq. Associate Vice President, Risk Management & Treasury Temple University Katy Rene Assistant Director of Study Abroad Lehigh University

Study Abroad Today

What is your International Exposure? Coups Insurgency Piracy Lawlessness Hijacking Extreme Weather Dengue Terrorism Natural Disasters Opportunistic Crime War Kidnapping Civil Unrest Medical Illness Threats Typhoid Fever Imprisonment Travel-related infections Air Quality Language and cultural barriers Vehicle Accidents Rural Isolation Hepatitis Airline Catastrophes Immigration & Visas

What is Really Your International Exposure? Anxiety / Depression Behavioral Health Mental Illness Racism Sexual Assault Gender Identity Suicide Addiction

Domestic Mental Health Statistics Source: American College Health Association

Prevalence of Mental Illness in Post-Secondary Students http://healthymindsnetwork.org/research/data-for-researchers

Traveler Experience Scholastic Clients (Study Abroad) Top Requests for Assistance from International SOS Emergency Medical Issues: Trauma, Upper Respiratory Conditions, Gastroenteritis Travel Advice: Immunization Requirements, Destination-specific recommendations, Pre-Trip Security Briefs Mental Health Issues

Most travel insurance policies exclude treatment and repatriation costs incurred due to mental illness.

Importance of Support Structure Language Baseline Stability Baseline Instability Foreign Language Support HOME (functional) Less Support ABROAD (dysfunctional)

Support Structure A change in environment, particularly a region of the world with a culture that is remarkably different from the US, can trigger feelings of isolation, loneliness and depression, whether these issues have been previously treated or not.

What is Duty of Care? Ethical Legal Fiduciary Commercial Social Responsibility Duty of Care Moral Universities to meet their Duty of Care Obligations need to do much more than simply provide insurance programs for those stakeholders who elect to travel abroad.

Resources are not the Same in all Countries What services/resources are available? What medications are available? Is counseling available? Is evacuation available? What s the support structure? What are the cultural differences?

Code Red Here we go So let s get started.

Code Red: Are You Prepared?

What to Expect Understand the risks your students, faculty and staff can encounter. Learn how to respond effectively. Discuss how you can communicate this pertinent information within your travelers and within your institution. 19

Let s interact and play a game

Crisis Simulation Scenario: Role Functions Risk Manager Legal Counsel Study Abroad Coordinator Dean/Provost Media Relations 21

Crisis Simulation Scenario Team Sport Legal Counsel Media Relations Crisis Management Team Risk Manager Dean/Provost Study Abroad Coordinator

Crisis Simulation Scenario Simulation Briefing There is no perfect solution. This simulation is no substitute for your own internal training. Events are on a compressed timeline. All events are fabricated and do not resemble persons or institutions specifically. Use all the resources at your disposal. Don t get tunnel vision/target fixation. Maximize this opportunity. This is a team sport! Don t be shy and benefit from the opportunity. Life is what happens when you are planning other stuff!!

Crisis Simulation Scenario The Intent Protect and preserve life. Preserve condition and prevent damage to university/school assets. Maintain and preserve reputation.

Crisis Simulation Scenario Crisis Overview 1. Immediate Response 2. Develop Plan of Action 3. Plan for Contingencies 4. Communicate and Consult 5. Recover and Review Immediate Response Develop Plan of Action Plan for Contingencies Communicate & Consult Recover & Review

Crisis Simulation Scenario 1: Assault Abroad An American male student of Pakistani descent is assaulted while on a study abroad trip in Bangalore, India. He was targeted because of his nationality.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 1 The trip leader calls back to the university and is not sure how to handle the incident.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 1 Your Exposure: Media attention/reputation; Potential lawsuit from family; Lack of access and action by local authorities; Where to find appropriate medical care.

Role Assignment

Did You Consider..? Policies: Pre travel advice Know who to call in an emergency Security Awareness Training for travelers: Safe travel times as well as locations (know environment) Understand profile Travel Risk Management Is there an established protocol or management structure to handle 24/7? Who is speaking with the family? Insurance policies for medical expenses (inclusive of mental health support)

Crisis Simulation Scenario 2 A gay couple studying in the Middle East has been arrested. They were seen holding hands in public.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 2 They are being held in a local jail. A local expatriate professor wants support on next steps.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 2 Your Exposure: Media attention (social); Financial/Legal exposure; Access to local legal counsel and psychological support; Demands from the family.

Role Assignment

Did You Consider..? Travel Risk Management Planning; Preparation/Pre-training: ERP (Security component, Evacuation plan, Security assessment); Security Plans (i.e. Security Team to travel with group); Transportation options need to be assessed when moving in remote sites; Communication Channels; Consider a contractor if don t have a security team in place. Internal crisis plan activation: Is there an established protocol or management structure to handle 24/7? Operating procedures inline and up to date with your assistance provider: Is it clear: Who to call? How to call? When to call? Are there individual financial, medical, security approvers? Or are they one in the same?

Laws Around the World

Crisis Simulation Scenario 3 An American student studying abroad in China has a mental breakdown. He is now in a hospital, but is not receiving psychological support.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 3 Your trip director arrives at the hospital to find him in a straight jacket. There is no mental health care or counseling available. What do you do?

Crisis Simulation Scenario 3 Your Exposure: Reputation; Lack of understanding by local authorities; Potential lawsuit from family; Where to find appropriate medical care; Evacuation needed?

Role Assignment

Did You Consider..? Travel Risk Management Planning; Preparation/Pre-training: Pre-screening (respect privacy) Education of team leaders on subtle signs of mental illness Evacuation plan Consultation with treating medical officer (language requirements) Follow-up care (domestic)

Crisis Simulation Scenario 4 A group of male students are on a remote archeology site where no restroom facilities exist. There are predators at the site, particularly at night, forcing students to relieve themselves outside the cabin door.

Crisis Simulation Scenario 4 One of the students is going through gender reassignment surgery and does not want to be outed. What advice does the domestic privacy officer give to the student who confided in them prior to deployment?

Crisis Simulation Scenario 4 Your Exposure: Potential lawsuit from student; Emotional stress Bullying Media (social) Activation of advocacy groups

Role Assignment

Did You Consider..? Pre-deployment education of the entire team (inclusive of team leader) on awareness of this issue with ANY student; Consider advance accommodation at the site in the event that a student is transgender Would cancellation of a student s assignment be a consideration?

10 Best Practices Increase awareness Plan with key stakeholders Expand policies and procedures (inclusivity) Familiarize deployment teams with local laws and customs Communicate, educate and train Assess risk prior to every trip Implement an emergency response system (medical and security) Implement additional management controls Practice, practice, practice Conduct due diligence Source: 2011 Duty of Care and Travel Risk Management Global Benchmarking Study written by Lisbeth Claus, Ph.D, SPHR, GPHR, Professor of Global HR, Atkinson Graduate School of Management of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. 50

Questions?