When you study abroad, you embark on one of the great adventures of your life. With some forethought and a little planning, you can help ensure that your experience will deliver the adventure and education you want. Here are some considerations and resources to help ensure a safe and healthy adventure.
Before You Go
Assess your physical and mental health
Please make us aware of any medical issues or disabilities well in advance of the program, so that we may advise you regarding conditions and resources abroad as well as the process for requesting academic or disability accommodation, if applicable.
Know the demands and resources of the program
Talk to the Program Manager about location and program-specific demands and resources available
See your health care practitioners
Be sure to set up a plan with your practitioner to stay on top of your physical and mental health while away, including access to prescription medication. If you have a mental health counselor or therapist, talk to them about the possibility of virtual counseling, or work with International SOS to set up access to a local mental health provider abroad through their network. Both in-person and telehealth appointments are available in most locations.
Know your insurance
See the “Health Insurance and Evacuation Coverage” section below for more information on the program-provided insurance coverage
Health Insurance and Evacuation Coverage
Students on Study Abroad programs are required to maintain their U.S.-base health insurance for the entirety of their program. Medical insurance coverage for illness or injuries that occur while abroad is included in the program cost for all students participating in BU Study Abroad overseas programs. For most programs, the BU International insurance policy, provided by Chubb and administered by International SOS, provides primary coverage to a limit of $250,000 for urgent or emergent medical costs. It also covers routine, urgent or emergent mental health appointments. While the Boston University Chubb insurance has no copays or deductibles, travelers may need to pay upfront costs for low-cost medical or mental health visits and non-treatment expenses such as medications and some medical testing. Keep all receipts and any copies of medical bills to be submitted for reimbursement. If any part of the claim is denied by Chubb, you should submit directly to your primary insurer for possible reimbursement. This insurance also includes coverage for medical evacuation, security evacuation, and 24/7 emergency assistance from International SOS.
Contact Information and Pre-Trip Planning
There are several circumstances in which students may need to contact International SOS directly, including making plans prior to departure.
For questions regarding:
Availability of medication (including shipment options/costs)
Availability of specialists
Standards of local medical care
How International SOS Services work
Specific coverage of conditions or treatments
Appointment scheduling
Filing a claim, or status of a filed claim
Students should contact the International SOS 24/7 Assistance Center at +1 215-942-8478 or via the International SOS Assistance App. Identify yourself as a Boston University Study Abroad participant who needs pre-trip planning assistance. You will also need to indicate the country where you will be studying.
Extension of Coverage for Personal Travel
Students on BU Study Abroad programs who choose to extend their time overseas beyond the official program term dates for personal travel are strongly encouraged to maintain adequate/valid international health and evacuation insurance coverage by purchasing commercially available international coverage. International health and evacuation insurance policies are available for individual purchase through companies such as GeoBlue, Cigna Global Health Insurance, Allianz Care, International Medical Group, Aetna International, United Health Care, and many others.
Property Insurance
BU Study Abroad encourages you to obtain personal property insurance to protect your belongings in case of theft or damage (e.g. laptops, phones, cameras); some students may already have coverage through family property or rental insurance. Students are free to choose their own insurance carrier for personal property coverage.
Safety Information and Planning
With over 40 years’ experience running Study Abroad programs, you and your families can feel secure that Boston University has procedures and expertise in place to handle daily safety and security needs as well as emergency situations.
24/7 Emergency Monitoring
International SOS (ISOS) is a travel assistance company that provides pre-departure medical and security advice, extends medical and security assistance during travel, monitors potential hazards throughout the world, and provides location-specific hazard notifications.
Students will be registered for International SOS approximately two weeks prior to the start of their program with coverage beginning the day before their program start date.
In addition to contacting them for insurance questions, students and parents may call ISOS for 24/7 overseas emergency response and support when a student is currently enrolled in a Boston University Study Abroad program. Reach ISOS at 215-942-8478; you can also reach them via the International SOS Assistance App. Students also receive in-country emergency contact information for their program prior to departure and during the onsite orientation.
We recommend that students download the International SOS Assistance App before departure; if you will use a different phone number once overseas, you will need to update your contacts in the ISOS system. The App provides quick access to the above information, allows students to receive alerts from BU staff, and allows students to add or edit travel information throughout the term. More information about how and when to access ISOS will be provided by email and by on-site staff.
*Students must log in to the app using their bu.edu email account to connect to the services provided by Boston University
Emergency Preparations
Boston University Study Abroad health and safety protocols and procedures.
Boston University Study Abroad’s Safety Management Team is in regular contact with the resident staff at each BU operated and managed Study Abroad program site. Students and parents are also provided with 24-hour contact phone numbers for both resident staff and International SOS. The Boston staff includes two full-time health, safety, and security officers.
Boston and resident staff members monitor announcements from the U.S. Department of State and other sources daily and receive all Travel Warnings and Advisories from the US Department of State, International SOS and other relevant official and private organizations.
As the first in-country responders, resident staff members at each site are in regular contact with their respective U.S. Embassy or local U.S. Consulate, and with local authorities. These entities are provided with information about the BU Study Abroad program, staff, facilities, and students.
Resident staff at each site have up-to-date local contingency plans that follow and complement the BU Study Abroad standard operating procedures. Staff members in Boston and at Study Abroad sites receive regular training on these plans. All students also receive information and instruction in emergency contact and procedures.
When traveling, students should provide resident staff with contact information. When students travel to locations where Boston University Study Abroad maintains an office, students also have access to the 24-hour emergency numbers at those locations.
Register with the US State Department
All students traveling outside the United States should register with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) (non-U.S. passport holders should leave the passport section blank). When registered, you will receive more efficient assistance in case of a lost U.S. passport or other emergency. In addition, enrollment will make it easier for U.S. officials to contact students or their families in the event of an emergency. STEP registration and other useful information can be found at http://studentsabroad.state.gov/.
Other Resources
The International SOS Member Site (Member #: 398GDA956456) provides location specific health, safety and security information, access to the International SOS assistance app, access to the International SOS digital learning library of travel related microlearning courses, and allows BU travelers to sign up for location specific email alerts.
US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides travel announcements and warnings for countries and regions around the world, along with a range of services to American citizens living and traveling overseas. Call 1-888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444) Please also see U.S. Department of State information specifically for students abroad, including links to U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides information on health conditions, required inoculations, and other valuable information for students and other travelers.
EqualDex is a website that provides current information on gender and identity related travel information for specific countries including legal rights and public opinion information.
Boston University’s Survivor Advocacy, Response & Prevention Center (SARP). Provides 24-hour, confidential advocacy and assistance to students who have experienced a traumatic incident and can help those who are abroad as well.
