Choosing where to pursue a college education is a big decision for any student. The decision to move to a different country and pursue higher education is an even bigger step. Many international students are both excited and nervous to come to the United States.
For many students, the first week is often the most difficult. During the first week, you’ll need to set up basic tools and services and make crucial decisions that impact the rest of your stay.
These tips can help you navigate these challenges with ease.
Adjust Your Sleep Routine
Your first instinct when you step off the plane may be to get some shut-eye. After all, traveling wears out a person! Jet lag is also a major player: You might arrive in New York, DC, or LA during the sunlit hours, but your body knows that, at home, it’s time to wind down and get ready to sleep.
Fight the urge! Unless you’re falling asleep as you stand, try to stay awake. You’ll need to adjust before classes start anyway, but there are also plenty of businesses you’ll need to contact—and most are only open between 8 am and 6 pm.
Most people take about a week to fully recover from jet lag, but forcing yourself to start adjusting can help you overcome it more quickly.
Another helpful trick is to start adjusting your sleeping pattern to the time zone of your destination before you leave.
Switch Your Phone
When you’re traveling for a short time, it doesn’t make sense to switch cellphone providers. But travel plans and roaming fees add up quickly. If your stay is any longer than a week or two, choosing a US-based cellphone plan and provider becomes a more economical option.
If you have an unlocked phone that you brought from home, you can simply purchase a new SIM card and install it in your phone. If your phone is locked, however, you’ll need to purchase a new phone. You can choose a prepaid plan or a contract. Contracts are longer term but may require you to provide a credit check or a social security number. There are also pay-as-you-go or prepaid plans that may be easier for you to obtain. Here are some links to international student phone plans from cell phone carriers:
Pick an App
Once you’ve obtained cell service, you might be concerned about international calling and texting. After all, you want to stay in touch with your friends and family at home.
Luckily, there are plenty of free apps that allow international calling and messaging. Whatsapp, Skype, Facetime, and Viber are all great options that will let you keep in touch around the world.
Bank Accounts and Credit Cards
You’ll likely rely on cash during the first few days after your arrival in the US, but you’ll also find cash is inconvenient in many cases. Instead, set up a bank account and a credit card to make payments quicker and easier.
Select Health Insurance
The American medical system is different from almost any other on the planet. Some international students find it overwhelming; most will experience some difficulty navigating it. Selecting health insurance should be a priority on your list—even if you don’t think you’re going to get sick during your stay.
Your school may have a mandated plan for international students, in which case you may already have coverage. Nonetheless, you should research the kinds of coverage you have and what you’ll need; you may want to purchase additional coverage.
Students who want to study abroad might be put off by the news in the world. It doesn’t seem to matter where you’re considering going; there’s some level of concern in almost every country around the globe. Of course, studying abroad is a unique experience, often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but there are some safety tips to help you during your time abroad.
5. Do Your Research
One study abroad safety tip before you hop a plane, you should research the country you’ll be visiting. Chances are you already know something about where you’ll be staying, but few people do in-depth research into the current political situation in their countries of choice. Read reports and news stories not only about your destination country, but also the cities you will visit. Online advice from other travelers or ex-patriots living there gives you a firsthand account and will tell you what areas of a city to be careful in.
Even people in other English-speaking countries may do things that you find strange. Chances are you do some things they find odd as well. Observing social customs, however, can help keep you safe and out of trouble. You may not realize it, but acting out of the ordinary can make you a target for crime such as theft—or worse. People may treat you differently if they perceive that you’re not a local. The best policy is the adage “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
4. Buddy Up
Once you’re studying abroad, a good tip you can follow to stay safe is to make some friends. Be sure to associate with other exchange students as well as local students and people as much as possible. While you might be tempted to simply hang out with people from your own country creating more variety in your social circle will help you stay safer.
Local students are likely to be more aware of the “dangerous” areas of town, and they might be able to help you understand the healthcare system and how the local police work.
3. Get International Student Insurance
While study-abroad insurance may not keep you out of trouble, it can definitely help you if something should happen. Most insurance plans for students studying abroad include protection for natural disasters and political upheaval, which can help you get out of a bad situation. The insurance plan should also include medical evacuation back to the United States, which domestic plans often do not have.
International student insurance plans often include coverage for the more mundane troubles of traveling: lost luggage, stolen ID, and so on. Having a good policy provides you with the peace of mind you need while you’re studying abroad—and it’ll protect you if an accident happens or some unforeseen incident occurs!
2. Have a Plan
Accidents do happen, and sometimes, even the most prepared person will run into trouble. Don’t simply assume that nothing will happen to you, even if you do take precautions. Instead, have a plan for what to do in case of an emergency.
This is a great rule of thumb when you’re at home, and it works very well when you’re studying abroad too. Know the local emergency numbers, and keep some information—such as your name, your local emergency contact, and your insurance provider’s contact details—on you.
1. Stay in Touch
And the No. 1 tip for international study abroad students: Stay in touch. It’s easy to lose touch with people back home while you’re studying abroad. You might be too busy, and time zones can make it difficult to keep in touch with people half-way around the world.
Nonetheless, you should check in with people at home regularly. Keep them up to date on your whereabouts and activities. That way, if you miss a scheduled check-in, they’ll be aware that something is wrong and can jump into action sooner, rather than later.
Congratulations if you are one of the nearly 300,000 US students who have the opportunity to travel abroad to study this year. The experience should create a lifetime of memories. The number of American students who are heading overseas for study abroad opportunities has been growing, and with it, the number of students who have questions about health insurance when they study in other countries has also grown.
The insurance market can be a confusing one: There are plenty of options for students who are studying abroad. However, there’s not much guidance on what you really need when you opt to study abroad. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your options, don’t fret: Finding what you need is easier than you think.
Carry No Insurance? That’s Not An Option
First and foremost, put the thought of simply not getting health insurance out of your head. Some students think they can save money or avoid the frustration of shopping for insurance by not buying a policy. “I’ll be really careful while I’m there…”
No one plans on getting sick or being in an auto accident when they study abroad. The experience of studying abroad usually involves extensive sightseeing, experiencing nightlife activities, trying new cuisines, etc. But unforeseen things can happen where international student health insurance can be a huge benefit.
A School-Mandated Policy
Some schools, fortunately, require students have health insurance before they can join a study abroad program. In most cases, these schools will mandate a plan that students can join. This means the school administers the plan and the policy, which can eliminate the frustration of shopping for insurance.
Of course, students can often still opt to select their own insurance, which may be a good idea, depending on the school program. Some school programs may offer only the most basic or even incomplete coverage, while others will offer insurance that is too comprehensive—and has a high price tag as a result. LewerMark recommends a policy cover emergency medical evacuation services and repatriation services, which most domestic policies do not cover. Be sure to check with the school about its minimum requirements for health insurance policies.
Your Domestic Provider
If you already have health insurance at home, check with your provider. There’s a chance you may already have some coverage under your existing policy, or you may be able to extend your coverage for a minimal fee. Be sure to check that the policy meets or exceeds your school program’s basic requirements.
Basic Medical Insurance
If you’re taking out a new policy, either with an existing provider or a new one, you’ll still have to make decisions about the coverage you purchase. It’s a good idea to purchase at least basic medical insurance at the very minimum.
In general, you should look for a policy that offers you at least $100,000 in medical coverage for illness or accident. The policy you select should also include 24-hour emergency assistance at no additional cost. These are the bare minimums you should select; if you know you’re prone to illness or tend to be accident-prone, purchasing more coverage is advisable.
Enhanced Insurance
You can most certainly purchase more extensive coverage than what’s outlined as “basic” medical insurance. Some policies offer a zero deductible, which means you don’t need to pay anything out of pocket. Other policies can insure you for up to $1 million in coverage; that might seem excessive, but medical bills can rack up quite quickly, and the last thing you want while you’re studying abroad is to worry about going into debt over an accident.
Insurance policies can also provide additional coverage for lost or stolen property, trip cancelation or delay. Some policies may even cover lost tuition, should you need to cut your study program short.
You’re embarking on the ultimate of adventures—an international course of study! Whether it’s for a semester or a whole four-year program, you’re getting ready to take off to study abroad.
But before you go, you need to dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s” to make sure you’re ready. Take a look at this study abroad checklist to make sure you’ve got everything in order.
Visas and Other Documents
When you’re studying abroad, some countries will require you to apply for a student visa or other documentation. These documents allow you to legally enter and reside in the country during your course of study. Without them, you could be detained, jailed, or deported.
Be sure to check with your study abroad program advisor about documentation requirements. Submit applications well in advance of your departure date. Also, be sure to always carry your student visa or other documentation during your stay.
Financial Options
You might be surprised to learn your credit cards or debit cards are not accepted in many places when you study abroad, or that cash is the only method of payment. Bring at least a couple of options for making transactions; apply for a major credit card if you don’t already have one, and bring some currency with you.
Your study abroad checklist should include contacting your bank to see what they charge for foreign cash withdrawals or if they will ding you on the exchange rates. You may also want to explore setting up an account with PayPal or another money transfer service in case you need to pay back friends and acquaintances quickly.
Health and Travel Insurance
Some study abroad programs will require you to have health insurance to protect yourself before you leave. Some even offer their own plans, while others leave the choice up to you. Either way, you should ensure you have adequate health and travel coverage before you take off on your trip in case you are in a car accident or contract a serious illness.
Many students (or their parents) make the mistake of assuming their current health insurance coverage will be adequate as a study abroad international student; however, more often than not, this is not the case. Domestic health care plans don’t go far enough or will not cover the costs for medical service outside the US, especially in the case of an emergency medical evacuation.
Take the time to research health care plans early so you can have great coverage before you depart. Premiums for study abroad health insurance can start from as little as $1 per day or more for the duration of your stay.
Medications and Prescriptions
A big study abroad checklist item is to make sure you have enough of your medications for the duration of your stay. Students who have studied abroad recommend you get your prescriptions filled before you depart. Even with medical insurance, refilling prescription drugs in other countries may be difficult, especially if you’re taking a brand-name drug.
In some countries, certain medications may not be available or the dosages may be incorrect, which can cause problems. Getting a supply of medication to last you for your duration of study is both cost-effective and smart.
Course Requirements and Restrictions
You might think you can simply pick whatever courses you want while you study abroad, but if you want to earn credits toward your degree, you’ll likely need to follow a few restrictions. This could require you to take particular courses, or to maintain a certain GPA to make the credits you earn abroad count toward your degree at home.
Country Information
Knowledge is power, so research your destination before you leave. Knowing about things such as the cost of living or political unrest in the area can help you make smarter decisions and stay safe while you’re abroad. Knowing background information about your country of choice will also help you achieve a deeper appreciation for what you learn while abroad, both inside the classroom and outside in the city streets.
You’re a student thinking about study abroad opportunities, or maybe you’re already enrolled. Maybe you’re a parent whose child is about to embark on a semester abroad. Or maybe you’re a school administrator trying to decide whether your institution should offer health insurance to students enrolled in your study abroad programs.
Whatever the reason, you want to know why study abroad students need health insurance. It turns out that there are a number of good reasons for students to have health insurance when they study abroad.
Accidents Will Happen
Students often don’t think about getting sick or being involved in an accident when they sign up to study abroad.
In all truth, nobody ever signs up for insurance because they believe they’re going to get sick or be involved in an accident. Instead, insurance protects you from the “what if” scenarios. Study abroad students can get sick or hurt, just like anyone else, and health insurance helps protect them.
Students Get Sick
School administrators and students alike know how frequently students get sick throughout the semester. Living in close quarters, late nights, and the stress of exams can take their toll on students’ immune systems. It’s likely that a student may get sick sometime during the school year.
That doesn’t change when students travel abroad. In fact, they might be even more likely to get sick, since their new environment may expose them to new germs. There is also stress added from attending a new school in a different country. Health insurance can be a tool to help protect them if they do become ill.
Domestic Plans Don’t Go Far Enough
You may think you don’t need to purchase additional insurance for studying abroad. Maybe you have coverage under a parent’s insurance plan, or maybe you already have health insurance through your school, which covers you in the US. The situation changes once you leave US soil, however. Most plans don’t provide coverage for extended stays outside of the US, which means you may be covered for only a very short portion of your study abroad program (e.g. for a week or two), or you may not be covered at all.
Worse, the plans that do offer coverage often have only minimal coverage for medical service outside of the US. Even if you do think you have coverage, you may need to wrangle with the insurance provider. Given all of that, it’s better to purchase a study abroad plan so you know you’re covered!
Built-in Travel Insurance
Study abroad students are also traveling, so they also encounter plenty of problems associated with that: lost luggage, delayed or canceled trips, and so on. Many health insurance programs for study abroad students also include built-in travel insurance, which means the protection can go further than a standard medical plan.
Better Support
You may already have a domestic plan in place, but what are the support services? Can you call from anywhere in the world and get help 24/7? What happens if you need to speak to a medical provider who speaks a foreign language?
Domestic plans often have great support services when it comes to services provided in the US, but they may be fish out of water when it comes to dealing with study abroad students who need assistance.
Getting a health insurance plan designed specifically for study abroad students will offer the support that these students are likely to need. That includes benefits like emergency evacuation and repatriation, which would not be included in a domestic plan.
Protecting Students
Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity, and students should take advantage of these programs. They should be able to do so with peace of mind, knowing they have the insurance coverage they need while they’re abroad.
