Emergency Procedures: Students Abroad

Rock Creek Bldg. 3, Rm. 223 | 503-614-7151 | FAX: 603-614-7170 | studyabroad@pcc.edu

In Case of Emergency

  1. Follow the procedures provided by the on-site staff for your specific program location.
  2. If you are unable to contact the on-site director or other local program staff, contact the other offices whose numbers are listed on the emergency contact cards that were provided for your reference by PCC. Be sure to carry your emergency contact card with you at all times.
  3. When contacting your program staff, or the emergency contact numbers, you must provide the following information:
    • your full name
    • the nature of the emergency
    • a number where you can be contacted
    • how long you will remain at that location (provide the city and country information)
    Please note: Due to time differences between your location and programs offices in the U.S. it may require several hours before someone is able to respond to you. We make every attempt to respond as quickly as possible. Your first contact should always be your on-site staff.
  4. If you are unable to contact the on-site staff or other program offices personally, attempt to have someone contact your on-site program personnel or PCC Office of International Education.

Emergency Evacuation: Natural, Political, or Other Crisis Situations

  1. Follow the procedures provided by the on-site staff for your specific program location.
  2. If you are unable to contact the on-site program staff, contact the PCC Office of International Education or the other offices whose numbers are listed on the emergency contact cards that are provided for your use by the local program staff and PCC.
  3. If communication lines are down, and the situation allows, go to the local program site or your program campus. Instructions should be posted at the office regarding where and how to contact program staff. If the program staff is unable to post instructions, please leave a message at the program office with your name and contact information indicating that you have been to the office and need to be contacted. On-site program staff will attempt to contact you as soon as possible once they are able to re-open the office. If you are unable to speak to your local program staff, or PCC contact numbers, attempt to contact the closest U.S. Consulate or Embassy office for further instructions. Local radio and television stations may also broadcast emergency information.
  4. Stay calm, and stay with other program students, your host family, or host campus representatives if possible. It is important that you attempt to contact PCC staff, however, it is more important that you remain in a safe environment and follow the instructions provided by the local government authorities.

Instructions for Families (parents or legal guardians):

Emergency contact information was provided to each student prior to departure for the program abroad.

Students are asked to share this information with their families. PCC is aware of your need to keep in contact with your family members, especially in emergency situations. If you need to contact your family member while they are abroad due to a family emergency you may use the contact information which was provided by PCC. Please limit the use of the contact numbers to emergency situations. PCC offices are open from 8am. to 5pm (PST) Monday to Friday. Phone (503) 614-7150 to reach PCC International Programs. After hours the contact number is in the Public Safety on the PCC campus (503) 977-4444. The staff at the Public Safety office will make every attempt to contact the appropriate PCC staff member. It is essential that you provide detailed information to assist us in responding to your call. If you contact public safety be sure to identify yourself as a family member of a student on a PCC sponsored study abroad program.

If the situation does not require immediate attention, please leave a voice mail message (after hours) at (503) 614-7150. Calls on weekends and holidays will be returned within 24 hours. Calls on evenings during the week will be returned the following morning. Please also note that time differences abroad may create difficulties in contacting student participants.

The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents staff members from providing certain information to persons other than the student participants. It is often necessary for us to balance your needs as a family with the needs of the students to be treated as adults and to follow the laws of the U.S. Our goal is to help to provide open lines of communication between you and your family members. Please be assured that we will do as much as possible to help you in any emergency situation.

Overseas Emergency Contacts

If you are calling from the U.S. you will need to dial ‘011’ before the phone number.

  • AIFS Florence, Italy- 39-340-836-5089 (9 hrs ahead of PST)
  • UPF Barcelona, Spain- 34-93-54-22411 (9 hrs ahead of PST)
  • NWU Nagasaki, Japan- 81-957-261234 (17 hrs ahead of PST)
  • Instituto Cultural Oaxaca- Oaxaca, Mexico- 52-951-515-34-04 (1 hr ahead of PST)