The benefits of studying abroad are immeasurable. But the experience is not without significant risk. This section of the OCS guide is to provide safe travel tips and recommendations to minirnize and manage risk while abroad. No one can control political or geo-political events or events associated with world climate changes or terrorism, or any number of events that may pose threats to health and safety. But with advance planning and by following the recommendations below and in this guide, you can minimize risk while enhancing your safety and overall experience abroad.
Comply with Florida Health Insurance Laws
Florida
law requires students to carry health and medical insurance while
studying abroad. Proof of insurance must be presented and filed in the
Office of Career Services & Off-Campus Studies. You should
review your healthcare policy well in advance of departure to determine
how well it will provide for the coverages you may need while abroad.
Most policies are limited in the amount of coverage they provide
outside the US, and the majority of visits to physicians or healthcare
clinics require cash payment for services rendered at the time of
service, with or without insurance. Insurance claims are usually filed
after the fact and will not substitute for payment due at time of
service.
It is strongly recommended that you purchase a supplemental health insurance policy. Policies are inexpensive. The International Student Identification Card
or ISIC provides both the insurance policy and discounts abroad
(admissions to museums, etc.). The cost is $22. The health insurance
policy travels with the card and is valid for a year from the date of
purchase. The ISIC organizations abroad will serve as your first point
of contact abroad should an emergency arise. They will coordinate with
your health policy provider in the U.S. to activate coverage and
claims. Remember though, that at cash payment will be required for most
services; insurance reimbursement is after the fact. You should be
prepared to pay cash for unforeseen medical emergencies if they arise.
The U.S. Department of State Safety Guidelines
Carefully observe the following guidelines: - Before departure, register with the US Department of State for assistance in an emergency abroad. Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service. This will help the State Department contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling.
- Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
- Leave photo copies of your itinerary and passport data page at home. Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas, with family or friends so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
- Check the terms of your overseas medical insurance coverage. Florida law requires you to carry adequate medical and health insurance. Clarify the extent of your coverage overseas with your insurance agent before departure.
- Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department website has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit. Review the bulletins and advisories for your destination.
- Take precautions to avoid becoming a target of crime. Do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
- Contact the US Department of State in an emergency. Consular personnel at US Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the US are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to US citizens. Contact information for US Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance in emergencies at 1 (888) 407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or (202) 501-4444, if calling from overseas.
- Create a chain-of-command and contact plan for emergencies. If an emergency occurs, which friend or family member would you call first? Does he or she have your program information, passport details, a phone number where you can be reached abroad? Before departure review your plans and location with parents or your US contacts to determine who should be the first point of contact in the event of an emergency. Establish contingency plans. Provide as much information about your location and program to your friends and family as possible. You will likely be enrolled in an established program abroad with staff and offices. Provide to family and friends, the names, phone numbers, and the location of the administrative offices and the names of all staff persons affiliated with the program abroad.
Personal Health
Consult your physician and dentist prior to departure regarding the best plan to manage your health care abroad. Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for current vaccination requirements and information on outbreaks of disease or healdl cautions around the world.
Fill
prescriptions before departure. If your medical condition(s) is one
that may require special treatment, request a letter from your
physician describing your condition and any special needs. Carry with
you a list of the generic names of prescriptions and medications you
will be taking while abroad. In planning your stay, leave copies of
medical information and documents at home with parents or your
emergency contacts.
Immunizations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) website provides information on recommended immunizations for
international travel. Check the site to determine the immunizations
(if any) required for your destination.
Follow this health list to chart a course of wellness during your travels:
- Assess your health and your health-related practices.
- Identify your health needs. Take supplies and prescriptions with you. Learn where you can locate additional supplies if needed.
- Check healtll advisories for reconunended precautions and culmral practices
- See your healtll practitioners.
- Pack
a small first-aid kit, including bandages, rubbing alcohol, sunburn
treatment, anti-diarrhea medication, gauze and tape, an antibacterial
medication and pain reliever.
- Verify medical insurance coverage.
When you arrive:
- Determine the availability and locations of medical resources at your destination.
- Give
yourself time to adjust. Jet lag can be intense and your internal clock
will need a few days to catch up and adjust to a new schedule. Moderate
exercise (walking for example), drinking lots of water, and exposure to
sunlight is routinely reconunended to help subdue jet lag.
- Make your medical conditions and needs known
- Ask questions about local safety and security issues
- Attend to your well-being
Paying for Emergency Medical Treatment Abroad:
- Be prepared to pay cash for routine and emergency medical services abroad.
- Insurance
claims will likely need to be filed in the US after treament and most
local providers of medical services will not accept insurance as tlleir
first form of payment.
New College Emergency Contacts
If you encounter emergency situations abroad you should contact New College as soon as possible.
The order of contact for placing an emergency call to New College should be as follows:
- Campus Police
(941) 487-4210 Call this number first, as your first point of contact.
The Campus Police will make the phone calls necessary to alert odler
campus officials and administrators.
- Director of Career Services, Cadthy Cuthlbertson, (941) 718-0445
- Dean of Students, Wendy Bashant, (94) 487-4251
- Tawnya Bissell, Program Assistant, Career Services, (941) 487-5002.
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