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+ When students are in Stockholm or Copenhagen
+ When students are on DIS-sponsored travel
Enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
All DIS students are encouraged to register with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for the duration of their time with DIS, as well as all travel (DIS-sponsored and independent) before, during, and after their program.
This allows the U.S. Department of State to send updates relevant to their travel and allows the Embassy to contact them directly in case of an emergency.
When students are in Copenhagen or Stockholm
Emergency response and contingency plan
1. Contact with authorities and monitoring
DIS maintains a relationship with the American Embassy both in Copenhagen and Stockholm. DIS makes every reasonable effort to keep abreast of local health and safety risks and to inform the appropriate parties of these changes. We receive information from authorities in the U.S., Denmark, and Sweden, and DIS staff closely monitor multiple news sources, security resources, and insurance company notifications.
2. Security advising
Students are advised of security procedures during the DIS Arrival Workshops and throughout their time with DIS. The most important person responsible for any student’s safety is the student. Students are advised to review online health and safety resources for Copenhagen or Stockholm, pre-departure materials, and all information communicated to them by DIS during the program.
3. Students communicate to DIS
In the case of a serious health or safety emergency, students are encouraged to contact staff at their DIS location as soon as possible. Both DIS Copenhagen and Stockholm monitor an after hours Health and Safety Emergency Phone outside of business hours.
4. Find emergency contact information
Students and families will receive electronic emergency contact cards that can be downloaded to smart phones and electronic contact databases. Parents, guardians, and friends in the U.S. are encouraged to contact the North American Office during business hours and the North American Office after hours Health and Safety Emergency Phone when the office is closed.
5. DIS communicates to students
DIS will reach out to students individually and as a group as necessary. DIS maintains local addresses and phone numbers for all students, as well as an all-student email and SMS text service. In case DIS needs to reach a student while on Study Tour, staff remaining in Copenhagen or Stockholm have a full overview of students in attendance, hotel addresses, scheduled events, and tour leaders’ cell phone numbers.
6. DIS communicates to students’ home universities
DIS will be in regular contact with our sending institutions regarding any emergency, behavior, housing, academic, health, or other situation involving one or more of its students. In most but not all cases, DIS will defer to the sending institution to contact parents or other stakeholders.
7. Facilities safety
Access to the DIS buildings are restricted and require an access card, which is given to students at the beginning of their stay. There are surveillance cameras installed at every entrance of the DIS administrative and teaching facilities. Staff members have building specific evacuation plans to ensure swift evacuation of all students from the various DIS administrative and teaching facilities should the event arise. Staff and student evacuation exercises are carried out at regular intervals. Evacuation routes are posted in the main student areas, and all emergency exits are clearly marked throughout the buildings.
When students are on DIS-sponsored travel
Emergency response and contingency plan
All DIS travel is considered part of the students’ DIS experience. Thus, all students and Study Tour leaders are expected to abide by and uphold the Code of Student Responsibility.
Find our Student Conduct policies.
If a student experiences a situation requiring emergency attention, they are advised to contact local emergency responders, followed by their Study Tour leaders. During Study Tours, students are given the numbers of the tour leaders’ cell phones, and can call these 24 hours a day. Study Tour leaders are trained to respond to student needs. If for any reason the leaders are not available, students are also provided the DIS Health and Safety Emergency Phone contact information.
The DIS Study Tours department, tour leader, Director of Health & Safety, and DIS Leadership cooperate to:
- Establish both preventative protocols and emergency response plans based on the DIS Emergency Response and Contingency Plan
- Carefully monitor recommendations of the U.S. Department of State, Danish, and Swedish authorities, DIS security partners, and local onsite partners in the specific destination
- Make decisions related to itinerary changes or program cancellation, as required
Risk established prior to travel
If we identify a risk before students arrive in a Study Tour location, the risk will be evaluated as related to the travel itinerary.
If it is determined the DIS travel will continue, steps will be taken to mitigate the risks. This may include any of the following:
- Student and leader orientation and/or written messaging to address the current risk and specific mitigation steps
- Adjustments to the program plan and itinerary to remove or reschedule certain cities, regions or visits
- The establishment of no-go locations on student free time
- The removal of student free time
- The establishment/adjustment of curfews
- Changing transportation plans or modes or transportation
- Any other adjustments DIS deems necessary in consultation with experts
DIS-organized travel will not run where the mitigation requirements would hinder the academic goals of the tour.
If it is determined the DIS travel will not continue, the Study Tour will be canceled and DIS will make every effort to relocate the tour. If relocation is not possible or reasonable, students will be provided with an alternative activity where the academic objectives can be met.
Risk established during travel
If an event occurs that could threaten the safety and security of our students while on DIS travel, the risk will be evaluated as related to the travel itinerary. We will consider a range of options, such as mitigation strategies or a full evacuation if necessary. In all cases:
- Students and Study Tour leaders are advised to follow the directions of local authorities
- DIS will ensure that home universities are informed of any major changes
- Study Tour leaders will ask students to contact and update parents/emergency contacts
