Create your Study Abroad Experience
Where ?
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • Multi-Region
  • North Africa and Middle East
  • North America
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Ecuador
  • England
  • France
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Morocco
  • Multi-Country
  • New Zealand
  • Northern Ireland
  • Peru
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Vietnam
When ?
  • Summer 4 Weeks or Less
  • Summer
  • Semester
  • Year
  • Winter J-Term
Program type ?
  • Study
  • Study + Intern
  • Study + Service Learning
  • Language & Culture
  • Explore Summer
  • Explore Semester
  • STEM Abroad
  • Internship
  • Virtual
Discipline ?
  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Arabic
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Arts
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Childhood Studies
  • Chinese
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Culinary Arts
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Studies
  • Ethics
  • European Studies
  • Exercise Science
  • Fashion Studies
  • Film
  • Finance
  • Food Science
  • French
  • Gender Studies
  • Geography
  • Greek Language
  • Health Sciences
  • History
  • Hospitality & Tourism Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Systems
  • International Relations
  • Japanese
  • Journalism
  • Languages & Culture
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Marine Studies
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Nursing
  • Other
  • Philosophy
  • Photography
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Science
  • Security Studies
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Hearing Studies
  • Sports Management
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Urban Studies
  • Veterinarian
  • Culinary Arts
Get Started
Health & Safety Info

Health & Safety

Studying abroad is exciting as you are exposed to new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences, but also new medical systems, health insurance, and a possibly distracted you.

A little planning and preparation can go a long way to ensuring that your study abroad is a safe and healthy experience.

The College Consortium for International Studies is dedicated to providing you with safe and secure study abroad programs as well as helping you prepare. Below you’ll find easy to follow steps and resources for before you go, while you are abroad, and resources to support your planning.



Before You Go


Do Your Research


Learn about the culture and understand social, political, and religious norms and expectations

Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Students Abroad page for destination specific information

Review the Health & Safety Student Handbook for preparation checklists, advice, and resources

Medical Preparation


Schedule a travel appointment with your health care provider or student health center

Know what your health insurance policy covers. CCIS programs are covered by CISI international medical insurance.

Check if your medications are available and legal in-country and make a plan with your physician

Review necessary vaccines or immunizations

Identify mental health resources in-country and form a mental health plan with your current provider

Communication


Sign up for the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program STEP to receive up-to-date country advisories

Establish a communication plan with your family, home institution, and study abroad program

Prepare copies of important travel documents, contact information, address, and any other relevant information you should keep with you and share with a trust family or friend



While Abroad


Stay Informed


Read the local and international papers

Learn local laws, and familiarize yourself with the legal system

Review country alerts or advisories from U.S. Department of State’s STEP program

Be Aware, Alert, and Prepared


Conduct yourself responsibly and be respectful of your surroundings

Become familiar with emergency medical procedures. What’s the local number for 911? Where is the nearest medical facility?

Know your study abroad program’s emergency plan

Communication


Keep your study abroad program emergency contact information with you

Keep your program, home institution, and relevant family or friends aware of your travel plans and location

Ask yourself and your study abroad advisor … ?

• What is the number one health risk at my destination?
• What are the most common safety risks?

• Who is your emergency contact?
• What is my "emergency" plan?

Health and Safety Resources

• Center for Disease Control: Mental Health Abroad
• US Department of State: Student Abroad Website
• World Health Organization

• Centers for Disease Control: Prevention’s Tips for Healthy Travel
• US Department of State: Travel Warnings and Advisories