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AlertTraveler Safety App

Supporting Your Study Abroad Student with AlertTraveler®

AlertTraveler® is a mobile safety app designed to keep your student informed, connected, and supported while abroad. Exclusively accessible to Cal Poly students during their study abroad/away program, this tool enhances travel safety through GPS-based alerts, real-time travel advisories/updates, and check-in capabilities. While parents/supporters do not have direct access to the app, understanding how it works can help you ensure your student is prepared for a successful and safe study abroad experience. 

📱 What Is AlertTraveler®?


AlertTraveler® is a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices that integrates with your student’s travel itinerary and uses GPS to provide:
  • Real-time safety alerts based on their location
  • Interactive safety maps with city and neighborhood scores
  • Emergency contact tools, including local SOS numbers
  • Check-in functionality for communicating with Cal Poly during emergencies
  • Country and city intelligence to help students stay aware and prepared
🔒 Note: Only students have access to the app through their study abroad account. Parents/supporters will not have login access, but you can assist your student in getting set up before they depart.

✅ How you can help your student...

Your support is essential in making sure your student is ready to use AlertTraveler®. Here are a few simple steps you can guide your student through:
  1. Ensure your student has downloaded the app (available for both iOS and Android devices)
  2. Help them enable key permissions for location, notifications, and other device services
  3. Check that they have registered and activated the app
    • When students become eligible to download the app prior to their program start date, they will be provided instructions and an activation link by the International Center 

🚨 Key Features Your Student Will Use

Safety Alerts & Notifications

Students will receive timely alerts about their destination and surrounding area via GPS, itinerary, or opt-in subscriptions.

Interactive Safety Map

The app provides global safety information at their fingertips—including local risk levels and user-reported incidents.

Check-In Requests

If an emergency occurs, Cal Poly can send check-in requests via:
  • Push notifications
  • Email
  • SMS (if enabled)
Students can respond with “I’m Safe” or “I Need Help,” optionally adding a message or photo.

SOS & Emergency Access

With one tap, students can access local emergency numbers (police, ambulance, fire) based on GPS.

📂 Additional Tools for Students

  • Incident Reporting: Students can share what’s happening around them (e.g., transportation delays, protests, or safety issues).
  • Location Intelligence: Real-time safety scores and trends by city or neighborhood.
  • Subscriptions: Custom alerts based on GPS, itinerary, or opt-in locations.

🧭 Peace of Mind for Families

While you won’t be able to log into AlertTraveler®, rest assured that your student has a powerful safety tool in their pocket—and that Cal Poly is able to monitor and assist students when needed. Please remind your student to download, register, and test AlertTraveler® before departure, and ensure that it remains active and updated for the full duration of their program.