Crisis Management in International Education: Education Abroad

Prepare your institution to respond with clarity and care when crises affect students abroad. The education abroad office is often one of the busiest places on campus, and when emergencies arise, whether impacting a single student or an entire program, having a clear plan of action is essential. Updated to address the unique challenges the field faces today, this practical resource equips education abroad professionals with real-world guidance, case-informed insights, and adaptable strategies to navigate complex situations and support student well-being. Drawing on the expertise of seasoned practitioners, this digital resource helps to prepare for and respond to crises ranging from arrests and natural disasters to mental health emergencies, so your team is never caught off guard when it matters most.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Teri J. Albrecht and Jason Hope
Crisis Management in a Cross-Cultural Setting by Patricia C. Martin

Section I: Predeparture Preparation and Risk Management

Leadership Perspective - Hope for the Best and Prepare for the Worst: Empowering Institutions to Navigate Crises in a Globalized World by Graham Wise
Predeparture Orientation for Students by Kevin L. Dostal Dauer
Predeparture Orientation for Program Directors by Niamh Larson and Diana Howard
The Role of Full-Time International Safety and Security Professionals by Ashley Krutz-Ordner
Insurance by Shaun M. Jamieson

Section II: Responding to Crisis Abroad

Leadership Perspective - Coordinating International Student and Scholar Services Across a Multicollege District by Alejandra Barahona Castro
Wellness Checks in an Emergency by Anna Hayes and Felix Morton IV
Mental Health by Marcia Henisz and Barbara Lindeman
Physical Health by Vanessa Sterling
Serious Injury by Jaime Molyneux
Death of a Traveler Abroad by Julie Anne Friend
Relationship Violence or Sexual Assault by Andrea Campbell Drake
Missing Student by Maureen Handrahan
Student Arrest by Emelee Volden
Working with Third-Party Providers by Miko McFarland and Laia Burgell

Section III: Regulatory and Institutional Considerations

Leadership Perspective - The Role of the Senior International Officer in Crisis Management for Internationalization by Sonia Feigenbaum
Legislation on Education Abroad Safety and Security and Its Implications for Data Collection by Dru Simmons
The Evolving Regulatory Landscape by Morgan Morris Inabinet
Smaller Institution Perspectives by Rochelle Keesler
Stress, Trauma, and Secondary Trauma: The Personal Impact of Responding to a Crisis by Krista McCallum Beatty