HEALTH AND SAFETY
All study abroad participants are required to have international health insurance coverage for the duration they are outside the U.S. by purchasing a health plan through GSU for the study abroad term. OIS encourages students and their families to review the following information on health and safety.
Health
· US Department of State Information for Study Abroad (Health, Emergencies, Embassies, News and Alerts)
· Traveler's Health: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Health information for specific destinations, vaccinations and illness and injury abroad)
· NAFSA: Insurance and Medical Assistance
Safety
Traveling abroad can be a wonderful experience. However, students must take certain precautions to ensure their own safety while participating in a study abroad program. The links below provide excellent advice on precautions:
· Student's Guide to Study Abroad
· US Department of State: Know before you go
· US Department of State:Tips for Traveling Abroad
The Office of International Services urges you to read all of these materials carefully and to begin using the Department of State website now - before you leave the U.S. - so that you are completely familiar with it and able to use it regularly while abroad. Use it to check updates on safety conditions and travel advisories for the country in which you are studying or traveling, as well as for those countries to which you are planning to travel.
We also recommend that you register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you arrive abroad. This should be done for each group studying/traveling abroad, unless the U.S. Embassy or Consulate indicates otherwise. You should also make sure that you have the U.S. Embassy or Consulate telephone number and address, together with other emergency telephone numbers, while you are traveling.