Study Abroad

Study Abroad Pre-departure Information for Parents and Guardians

HEALTH AND SAFETY

ALL TU STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE OVERSEAS MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE.

Staying Safe Abroad

Towson University monitors the safety of locations where students regularly study by tracking Travel Warnings issued by the State Department as well as by keeping current and active with our professional organization, NAFSA. See the Travel Warnings on the State Department’s Website at www.travel.state.gov .

We recommend that students do not study in locations for which a travel warning has been issued. However, for those students whose academic interests necessitate study in restricted locations, we do require that an additional liability waiver be signed.

In general, students who maintain good common sense and understand the local laws and customs will find themselves living in less dangerous locations than what we are accustomed to in the US. Personal theft is the most common crime overseas, and the most dangerous accidents (which rarely occur) are pedestrian accidents, usually attributable to unfamiliarity with traffic laws, e.g.: driving on the left side of the road, pedestrian right of way, and/or those involving alcohol. Because of the sheer number of students going to the UK and Australia, statistics will follow that crossing the street in these locations may be the most dangerous part of study abroad.

In our mandatory student pre-departure orientation, students are advised to use their common sense and refrain from engaging in excessive drinking. We tell them that this is the quickest way to identify oneself as an outsider, and is not advised since their primary goal is to become fluent members of their host society. We also tell them that drinking in an unfamiliar environment leads to more trouble when they don’t understand the language, the customs, the way home, and can find themselves in situations where they are at risk. We also inform them that they must abide by their host country’s laws regarding illicit substances, but that US laws do not apply to them if arrested in a foreign country. Towson University cannot intervene on their behalf if they should choose to break the law and are caught.

Students participating on TU Short-Term Faculty-Led programs will be registered by the TU Study Abroad Office.

Staying Healthy Abroad  

The well-being of students participating in Towson University study abroad programs is our priority. To support a healthy and safe experience, Towson University provides a health insurance and assistance plan to all students participating on Towson University Study Abroad Programs. This is not an optional benefit; every participant on a Towson University administered study abroad program will be covered by the CMI Insurance plan and the cost will be covered in the program fee. Students and parents are strongly advised to become familiar with the Towson University Plan’s benefits and features.

N.B.: Participants on Towson University Study Abroad Programs do not need to sign up for this insurance program. All participants will be automatically enrolled and will receive an individual ID card that includes contact information for plan services.

For students participating on non-TU programs, Towson University requires all study abroad participants to have health and accident insurance while participating in a study abroad or exchange program which provides, at a minimum, coverage for emergency medical care and treatment, hospitalization, and physician charges in the country where the Host Institution is located, as well as insurance for medical evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion.

Each year many Towson University students choose to participate in study abroad programs administered by other universities and third party study abroad program providers. Many of these non-TU programs package health insurance and assistance plans with their programs. We recommend that you review the insurance benefits packaged with your study abroad program and decide if the coverage provided by your program is adequate.

If you are participating on a non-TU study abroad program, and would like to enroll in a CMI Study Abroad Insurance Program, you may do so through a direct link provided on our website: wwwnew.towson.edu/studyabroad/health.asp.

N.B.: Upon setting foot back on US soil, most study abroad insurance policies will no longer be in effect. In case of injury or serious illness resulting in the need to return to the US for treatment, coverage will need to be in place here in the US. Therefore, we strongly advise that students also maintain a US health insurance policy while abroad.

Basic policies for international travel should provide the following coverage:

• Hospitalization for accidents and illnesses while abroad
• Ambulance and emergency room expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Repatriation of remains
• Emergency Reunion Benefit
• Routine doctor visits
• Dental coverage
• Medication

In addition to the type of coverage the policy provides, you should also be concerned with the amount and duration of coverage:

• Maximum amount of coverage
• Duration of coverage
• Deductibles
• Payment of services
• Continuous coverage before, during and after study abroad?
• Claim filing and reimbursement procedures
• Worldwide or limited coverage
• Additional services: 24-hour emergency number, etc.

Suggested minimum benefits for all Towson students are as follows: Medical Expense Benefit up to $500,000 per injury; Emergency Medical Evacuation $250,000; Repatriation $50,000; Accidental Death and Dismemberment $15,000; Emergency Reunion, $12,500.

Medical and dental checkups prior to departure are strongly recommended. It is a good idea for your student to review travel plans with a physician. Remember: only your physician knows your personal and medical history and can advise you if your situation warrants some alteration of the general preventative guidelines outlined here. Frequently, health statements from your doctor are required to obtain a visa to enter a country. Be sure to inform the Study Abroad Office if the checkup raises any health issues or concerns not mentioned previously, so that Towson can take steps to accommodate any needs the student may have.

Medicines

Students should research whether a prescription medicine is available in the host country before departure and bring a copy of the prescription in the generic name of the drug in case it needs to be refilled while abroad.It’s most convenient to take a supply that will last the entire stay. The TU Study Abroad Office can provide letters for insurance purposes confirming the student’s need for extended supplies of medication. Keep all medications in their original bottles/packaging with original labels intact. The doctor may also recommend medications to bring along if s/he thinks you might be susceptible to a recurrence of a recent illness, infection, or allergy.

Regulations regarding amounts and types of medications which may be brought into a country will differ from country to country. Contact the host country’s local consulate for details, or check on their website.

Over-the-Counter Remedies -- If the student has any favorite over-the-counter remedies that s/he uses regularly, we recommend they take a supply for the whole term abroad.

For customs purposes, take all medicines in their original containers. Pack important medicines in the carry-on bag in case the check luggage is lost.

Syringes

Syringes can be construed as drug paraphernalia. Students should bring a doctor’s note with them. They should also check whether documentation is needed from the host country’s local consulate before departure.

Shots and Inoculations

Most TU students are studying abroad in countries where the health of local inhabitants is good and contagious diseases have been brought under control.

However, for those who are studying abroad in malarial zones, or if you have any questions about whether any shots or inoculations are recommended for a particular country, please check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel/.

You can obtain shots from your regular physician or at a local travel clinic:

• Passport Health Travel Clinic. http://www.passporthealthusa.com/main.html, 1-888-499-PASS (7277)
• University of Maryland College Park Health Clinic
• Johns Hopkins Health Clinic
• Towson University Dowell Health Center 410-704-2466
• Maryland General Health Care Center

Below are some general guidelines about shots and inoculations:

• The CDC specifically recommends a polio booster, for travel in countries not free of endemic polio viruses.
• Tetanus and diphtheria boosters are recommended for all students.
• You should be immune to measles, mumps and rubella through vaccine or physician-diagnosed cases of these diseases. Note that if you were born after 1957, you should have received two doses of measles vaccine in order to be immune.
• A gamma globulin shot is useful against hepatitis and can reinforce your immunity to other diseases.
• Smallpox is considered by the World Health Organization to be wiped out, but country-to-country regulations change frequently.

Sometimes students will plan travel to countries with health advisories while they are studying and living in a country without a health advisory. It is still the student’s responsibility to inform themselves and take appropriate precautions.

Documentation

An yinoculation should be recorded with the officially approved stamp on the yellow form "International Certificate of Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization.” Forms or cards that are not properly stamped are not acceptable to health authorities in many countries. The student needs to take this vaccination card with them overseas, especially if travel plans include developing countries.

Because the student will be covered through their traveler’s insurance, the insurance company should be able to take care of all of the details.

Directory of Physicians

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT), an international nonprofit organization, provides travelers with info about health risks, immunization requirements for all countries, and medical care. It also provides the names of English-speaking doctors in foreign countries – all of whom speak English and have trained in a Western country.

Parents and friends of students can play a major role in the success of a study abroad experience. The support you provided prior to departure should continue while they are abroad. Your role continues as they stretch their wings and fly away! They may try on new personalities or adopt new habits. You might be called upon to remind them of the hurdles they’ve encountered thus far and help them to refocus on why they wanted to study abroad so that they can reach their goal.

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