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Study Abroad 

Study Abroad Handbook- Page 1

The SJU Study Abroad Pre-Departure Handbook is divided into the following sections:

Health and Safety Abroad

SAFETY GUIDELINES

All important documents, passports, airline tickets, travelers' checks, credit cards, and keys to luggage should be kept on one's person while traveling internationally.  A money pouch worn around the waist or neck, and under your clothing, is a worthwhile investment. Once you are safely settled in your housing abroad you will likely be able to leave these things out of sight in your apartment (a safe deposit box would be ideal). While going about your daily routine as a student you should carry a photocopy of your passport and leave the original in your apartment in a safe location. You should also make photocopies of all of your important documents (credit cards, airline tickets, IDs) and leave one set with your parents/guardians and bring one set with you. Having photocopies of these documents will be very helpful in the event you need to replace them.

  • When going out to explore, be street wise; always be aware of your surroundings
  • Do not go out at night alone.  Join up with a friend.
  • Stay alert and avoid areas that look sketchy or deserted. Remember that nightlife in any city has the potential for crime.
  • Avoid impairing your judgment with excessive alcohol consumption.  When you are not in control of your faculties, you are easy prey to pickpockets and other dubious characters.
  • Do not take expensive jewelry with you.  Wearing expensive jewelry is an invitation to be robbed.
  • Do not hitchhike under any circumstances.

At all airports and train stations never leave your luggage unattended or accept and carry parcels for other people.  Political jokes and careless threats will result in serious consequences where airport personnel are on a constant watch for possible terrorist activity.

Avoid all situations in which illegal drugs are involved.  Foreign governments can be quite severe when dealing with students who use drugs or who associate with persons who use or sell drugs.

SAFETY HANDBOOK

There is a wonderful online resource available to you and your parents regarding safety and study abroad. The SAFETI (Safety Abroad First - Educational Travel Information) Clearinghouse Project develops and disseminates resources to support study abroad program development and implementation, emphasizing issues of health and safety. It is sponsored by the Center for Global Education at the University of Southern California.

The Safety Abroad Handbook provides resources and preparation tips for students considering studying abroad and parents trying to help them. The Handbook should help you ask the right questions and find helpful resources for international study and travel.

TRAVEL WARNINGS and CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEETS

The United States State Department issues travel warnings and consular information sheets concerning countries throughout the world. 

[From the Dept. of State website] “ Travel warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country.  Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Consular Information Sheets.”

“ Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world.  They include such information as location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. … Consular Information Sheets do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions about travel to a particular country.”

Registering at the local US Embassy

Saint Joseph 's University strongly encourages students who are studying abroad to register with the local US Embassy in their study abroad destination. Registering when abroad serves several purposes. It helps when you renew your passport and it can also facilitate the replacement of your passport if yours is lost or stolen while abroad. Further, it allows the Embassy to contact you should the need arise in an emergency. The address and contact information for the US Embassy abroad can be found at the end of the Consular Information Sheet and on the US Department of State website of US Embassies and Consulates.

HEALTH INSURANCE

As a condition of participation in Saint Joseph's University semester abroad programs, students must carry health insurance that covers them while traveling.  Students may fulfill this requirement through one or more of the following options:

  • Health insurance coverage through the semester abroad program into which the student has been accepted. Students must provide this verification form, a copy of their acceptance letter and proof of coverage (i.e. copy of coverage statement...).
  • Family-plan insurance. Student must provide a copy of their Insurance card (with valid dates to cover my overseas travel) and page of covered services (i.e. while abroad).
  • The Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan offered through Saint Joseph's University.
  • Short-term insurance purchased through a provider that specializes in coverage for students of U.S. institutions while abroad. A list of companies that offer options for short-term travel health insurance is available at the Center for International Programs.

All students travelling abroad will be required to sign the Certification of Medical Insurance Coverage form and provide proof of that coverage as indicated above. By signing the Certification of Medical Insurance Coverage form, the student will certify that he/she has health insurance that will cover him/her while travelling abroad and that his/her policy of choice provides coverage that, at a minimum, includes all of the following:

  • Provisions for pre-existing conditions
  • Coverage for mental and nervous disorders of at least $5,000
  • Overall medical benefits of at least $100,000
  • Emergency Evacuation benefits of at least $50,000
  • Repatriation of Remains benefits of at least $10,000

The University, while requiring and accepting this certification of medical insurance coverage for each student, does not and will not determine the actual sufficiency of such coverage.  That determination is for each student and his or her provider to determine.

 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING HEALTH INSURANCE

  • Is there a dollar limit to the amount of coverage provided?
  • Does the plan cover you in all the countries to which you may be traveling?
  • Will the plan cover hospitalization for accidents and illnesses for the entire period you're abroad?
  • Is there a deductible? If so, how much?
  • What are the procedures for filing a claim for medical expenses abroad?
  • Will the plan cover prescription medication while abroad?
  • When does the plan begin and end?
  • Do you need to pay for services up front? What if you don't have enough money to pay cash up front?
  • Does the plan cover non-academic activities, such as swimming, biking, horse-back riding?

ASSESS YOUR HEALTH

  1. Visit your Family Doctor to get a complete physical/check up. Make sure your basic immunizations are up to date.
  2. Go to your dentist to make sure your teeth are healthy and that you don't need any fillings. Going to the dentist while abroad could be difficult and nerve wracking!
  3. If you wear glasses or contacts you may want to bring an extra pair with you. The exact prescription may be difficult and expensive to replace overseas.
  4. If you take any prescription drugs you should try to take a semester's worth of supplies with you. Also, make sure you bring a note from your doctor indicating why this drug (note the generic name) is prescribed for you. You should carry copies of your prescriptions with you while you travel. Also, it is important to check with the appropriate Consulate Office for the country you will be visiting to make sure you are allowed to bring medication (even over the counter medication) into their country.

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