Travel Guard Launches Student Travel Safety Campaign

Image: Friends having fun on spring break. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Mirko Vitale)
Image: Friends having fun on spring break. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Mirko Vitale)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Thu February 20, 2025

Global travel insurer, Travel Guard, has unveiled a new comprehensive student travel safety campaign designed to increase the awareness of preparations traveling students should consider before embarking on study abroad or school-sponsored trips to international destinations. 

As a cornerstone of the campaign, Travel Guard has created a dedicated microsite with engaging videos depicting common safety scenarios and advice along with safety-focused tips around topics such as travel choices, beach trips and nightlife.  

The initiative was developed with the keen understanding that students may not have a significant amount of global travel experience, and their chosen housing, transportation and activities during their journeys may negatively impact their risk profiles. One example is that students traveling on shoestring budgets may choose accommodations or transportation less secure than other options.  

The branding of the Depart Smart travel safety training is a nod to the non-profit organization founded by Sheryl Hill, who lost her son Tyler to a preventable death while overseas on a student-abroad trip in 2007. Sheryl made it her mission to arm students with travel safety skills and contingency plans for international trips and study-abroad programs. After years of advocating improve student travel safety, she passed the torch to Travel Guard.  

“Early on, we realized how closely aligned Sheryl’s mission was with our own goals for travel safety advocacy, and we’re honored to carry on her legacy by offering Depart Smart training and resources for free to student travelers,” said Rhonda Sloan, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing, Travel Guard. 

She added, “International travel for educational opportunities is popular among students of all ages, but given the increased risks they face while traveling, more can be done to enhance their safety and wellbeing.” 

As a travel safety advocate, Travel Guard is focused on leveraging its experience to provide students and their families guidance and resources to ensure the student travel experience is safe and academically rewarding. 

The Student Travel Safety campaign includes resources that empower and encourage students to take ownership of research and planning for their trip, tips for parents on how to best align with trip organizers, be aware of potential risks and provide resources for schools and chaperones.


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