A Team Approach to Safety and Security
WorldStrides’ in-house Health & Safety Team, led by our Head of Health & Safety, leverages decades of experience to continually assess the safety of our travel destination and the activities our students participate in. Our WorldAssist Team serves as our emergency response command center, staffed 24/7 by WorldStrides team members who are specially trained to handle any on program situation — no matter how big or how small. We also rely on a deep network of partnerships.
Doctors On Call
Through our exclusive relationship with The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Dr. Neal Sikka* serves as medical advisor and manages our 24/7 Doctors on Call program.
United States Tour Operators Association
As a member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), we follow their TOURCARE Guidelines which is a set of health, safety, and sanitation guidelines specifically developed for their tour operator members.
Student Youth Travel Association
We are one of only five organizations nationwide to be named a Certified Student Travel Organization (CSTO) by the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), a designation awarded to companies meeting a rigorous set of safety standards.
Exlog
We maintain an ongoing relationship with Exlog, a global risk management company providing intelligence, insight, and in-depth assessments of our program destinations, up-to-date reporting on breaking situations and evolving threats worldwide, and emergency response services.
*Dr. Neal Sikka, The George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine, and The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates are independent medical providers. WorldStrides is not a medical service provider and its employees do not render medical care or treatment, nor does WorldStrides control the selection, training, or supervision of any medical provider.
Travel With Confidence
Our world-class policies support individuals and groups with added flexibility should the need arise.
WorldClass Flexibility Guarantee
At any time up to 45 days prior to departure for domestic tours and 60 days prior for international tours, the group’s Program Leader can work with WorldStrides to change tour dates or destinations for any reason. The group will pay no change fees, just the difference (if applicable) in the price of the new trip.
For participants needing to cancel and who have purchased a Full Refund Program or Cancel for Any Reason plan on a qualifying program, you’ll receive the full refund available under those policies, minus the amount paid for the protection plan.
*Please Note: These policies apply to K-12 group tour programs only. Changing the destination or date of the trip will be determined based on availability of trip components including, but not limited to, accommodations, venues, attractions, content, meals, and transportation. Graduation celebrations; sports; higher ed; and individual programs may have different options for flexibility. Consult your WorldStrides representative.
Have questions? We have answers.
While there are no guarantees, according to Dr. Neal Sikka, the top precaution you can take to prevent illness is washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol content) when soap and water is not available.
WorldAssist Emergency Contact Numbers
Our WorldAssist by WorldStrides team members around the world are available 24/7, monitoring world events and supporting our travelers. Please call WorldAssist only in regard to an emergency on a program that is currently traveling.
800-999-4542
Domestic U.S. callers only
703-933-6143
Domestic and international callers