Connectivity Requirements

Requirements for Non-High-Risk Locations

All students traveling outside of the U.S. on Northeastern University-sponsored programs must carry an operational cell phone with international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities. Phones must be able to receive incoming and make outgoing phone calls without relying solely on data-calling or a Wi-Fi signal. Students must enter their international phone number into the My Travel Plans system before departure, or no more than 24 hours after arriving at their destination.

Synopsis:

1. Phone with international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities;

2. User must be reachable at all times;

3. Must enter number into My Travel Plans before departure, or no more than 24 hours after arrival.

Requirements for High-Risk Locations

All students traveling to locations defined as “high-risk” by the university’s International Travel Policy must carry an operational cell phone with international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities. Students are required to enter the number for their international phone into My Travel Plans before departure, or no more than 24 hours after their arrival. They are also required to call NUPD (+1.617.373.2121) using their international phone within 24 hours of their arrival to confirm the phone is working. If obtaining phone upon arrival in the high-risk location, student must ensure that their US/personal phone will function in the interim.

Synopsis:

1. Phone with international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities;

2. User must be reachable at all times;

3. Must enter number into My Travel Plans before departure, or no more than 24 hours after arrival;

4. Must call in to NUPD (+1.617.373.2121) using international phone within 24 hours of arrival in high-risk location to confirm phone is working.

Requirements for faculty and staff members traveling with students

All faculty and staff members traveling with students must carry an operational cell phone with international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities that functions independent of Wi-Fi (e.g. not via WhatsApp, Skype, WeChat, etc.).  Faculty and staff leaders must establish a protocol for checking in with their designated program office or college at the start of the program to confirm dialing connectivity.  If the program is to a high-risk destination, as defined by the university’s International Travel Policy, the leader(s) are also required to call NUPD (+1.617.373.2121) using their international phone, within 24 hours of their arrival, to confirm the phone is working. If obtaining a phone upon arrival in the “high-risk” location, group leaders must ensure their US/personal phone will function in the interim.

Synopsis:

1. Faculty and Staff leaders are required to have international calling, SMS, and cellular data capabilities, either:

  • Have a US phone that functions in country (get the plan that works in the destination
  • If you plan to purchase a phone/sim when you arrive in your destination, then your US or personal phone (from a third country) must be functional upon arrive in the destination country (get a plan that works upon arrival)
  • Have a phone or sim from that country that is operational upon arrival

2. Leaders must be reachable at all times;

3. Must enter number into My Travel Plans before departure, or no more than 24 hours after arrival;

4. The most critical NU phone numbers should be saved in the cell phone contacts prior to departure (NUPD, ISO, GEO, WeCare).

5. Faculty and Staff leaders, or their designee(s), must inform NUPD (+1.617.373.2121) using the international phone within 24 hours of arrival to confirm their phone is working. The leader or designee must provide his/her name, the program name, whether all members of the program arrived safely, and ensure that the phone/plan is working.

Travelers can reach out to the Global Experience Office (GEO) with questions regarding how to ensure they are in compliance with these requirements. In addition, GEO maintains a list of international cellular providers, which can be used to find suitable phone/SIM/provider options prior to departure.

Students failing to comply with these requirements may be prevented from traveling, may not receive credit for courses, and/or may be excluded from participating in other Northeastern global programs.