Top 5 Things To Do In Poland
August 23rd, 2013 by Ross Mason
Wrocław Cathedral in Poland
International students who study in Poland will have no shortage of things to do, particularly if they are interested in history. Poland is a land of Gothic castles, old markets, and high-rise houses filled with history.
Here is a list of the top 5 things to do in Poland as an international student. You should take the time to experience most of these if you plan on spending any time in Poland:
1. Hiking in the mountains
Winter or summer, the mountains in Poland make for a great holiday destination. They offer water and winter sports for both beginners and experts, and several ski resorts famous for their cross-country trails. Students who are interested in nature can go off-road skiing on the traverses of mountain hills and rough country roads in the forest.
2. Snow sailing in Karpacz
This is a special event that generally occurs on the last weekend of February at the slops of Bialy Jar Mountain. Sailors and mariners compete in Polish skiing and snowboarding. The competition is open to all, but the participants should have a license or certificate in sailing.
3. Enjoy therapeutic mud
Therapeutic mud is a popular activity in Poland in which a person enjoys soaking in various types of peat that has numerous mineral and organic mixtures in it. It includes, but is not limited to, cranberries, blueberries, and heather. Polish use it to detoxify, revitalize, and energize the body.
4. Visit Auschwitz-Birkinau
Auschwitz-Birkenau is a system of concentration and extermination camps operated by the Nazi army during World War II. It is a sobering experience, and something no international student with an interest in history should pass on the chance to experience.
5. Drive around the Polish countryside
Driving around Poland, you will see a number of interesting sights, including hermit works of art, wooden cars, and houses that look like they’ve been pulled out of a book of fairy tales.
For more information on Poland, and to learn more about the country and experience it – please visit our Poland International Student Insurance pages for more information.
UNC Chapel Hill International Student Insurance
August 21st, 2013 by Ross Mason
Beginning in fall of 2010, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors implemented a “hard waiver” student health insurance plan on all sixteen 4-year campuses. “Hard waiver” means that a student is required to hold a “creditable coverage” health insurance policy or else enroll in the UNC Chapel Hill International Student Insurance plan. All international students who have F or J immigration status are required to carry health insurance for themselves and their dependents throughout the duration of their academic program.
“Hard waiver” does not mean that a student must enroll in the UNC System Student Health Insurance Plan, but it does mean that students must show evidence of creditable health insurance coverage.
Creditable coverage includes all of the following benefits:
- The health insurance plan must have a minimum medical benefit of $100,000 coverage for each specific illness or injury.
- The plan must have a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- The plan must provide at least $25,000 in benefits for repatriation of remains to the home country in case of death.
- The plan must pay up to $50,000 for medical evacuation to the home country.
- Policy active for the entire duration of the academic semester
Alternative Health Insurance
Our Student Health Insurance plan offers four plan levels that meet all of these requirements: Smart, Budget, Select and Elite. Choosing either of these plans over UNC Chapel Hill’s school sponsored plan will save you a considerable amount of money. For example, for an international student aged between 18 and 24:
- UNC Chapel Hill plan $2,616.80 per year
- Our Student Health plan:
- Smart – $371.28 per year
- Budget – $513.24 per year
- Select – $1,161.16 per year
- Elite – $2,380.56 per year
Saving you up to $2,245.52 per year!
To view our plan in more detail, please visit our website to compare the different plan options. You can also visit the UNC Chapel Hill School Insurance Requirement page for more information and to apply online.
Updated 8/5/2020
Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid As A New International Student
August 19th, 2013 by Ross Mason
The start of the new school year is right upon us, and for many international students you will be trying to settle in, registering for all your classes and attending orientation sessions. It could also be the first time many students have been abroad, and away from your family/ friends and everything that is familiar. It can be quite a daunting prospect – but with so much going on, there are some things you will want to avoid doing.
With our top 5 mistakes to avoid as a new international student, we set you on the straight and narrow:
1. Keeping to yourself or students from the same country
One of the biggest pitfalls you can fall into, it keeping to yourself and not going out and interacting and meeting new people. We all know that starting somewhere new can be nerve-wracking, or may put you outside of your comfort zone, but you need to remember that everyone is in the same boat. The sooner you get out there and start to mix with other students, the most settled you will feel as you will start to make new friends. The same also applies to just talking with or socializing with students from the same country as you. Some schools in the USA could have a large population of students from your home country, but sticking within that group will limit your experience – so go out and talk to other students from other countries and from the USA.
2. Not attending classes and orientation
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not attend classes or your student orientation. You will be having lots of fun during the first few weeks, making new friends and experiencing a whole range of new things. But, you still need to remember that you are there to learn, so make sure you make a point of attending all your classes and student orientations so that you do not miss out on anything!
3. Failing to explore your surroundings
It is really important that you get to know your surroundings. Explore the local area, get to know where the “un-safe” areas are (if there are even any places that are un-safe), and find out how to get around. This will not only help you learn more about your new home, but it can help you settle down much more quickly if you are more familiar with the area and how to get around.
4. Not taking care of yourself
Your health and wellbeing should never be put in jeopardy, so try not to burn the candle at both ends. Always make sure you are getting enough rest, and eating properly. There is always the temptation to eat all the junk food and experience the glories of American fast food – but after a while you will realize that is probably not the best for you! You will also need to prepare in advance and make sure you are covered by health insurance, either through your schools plan or an alternative insurance plan – not having health insurance in the USA can put your in severe financial burden. Check out our video on how the US healthcare system works for more information and guidance.
5. Keeping things bottled up!
No matter how small the problem you have, talk to someone – whether its a friend, your family or better yet, your international student advisor. Keepings things to yourself will not make the situation better, in fact it will just make it worse. You will most likely find that people will be open to helping you, and could be experiencing the same thing or have a very simple solution. So whatever you do, talk and keep your fears and problems out in the open so that they can be resolved!
Hopefully these quick tips will help you avoid some of the more common pitfalls that international students can fall into at the start of a new semester. You can also visit the insurance explained section of our website for more information about health and wellness abroad, including information on visa compliance and much more!
Why Does Insurance Matter to Me?
August 17th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
As an international student studying in the United States, your US school most likely requires that you present proof of adequate health insurance coverage before you are allowed to enroll in your classes. While dealing with all the worry and stress that comes with choosing a health insurance plan, you may be wondering, “ Why does insurance matter to me? ”
Although it is true that health insurance can be expensive, in the long run (and even in the short run), it is always better to have it than to not. You never know when disaster will strike in the form of injury or illness, and it is always best to be prepared. If you do not have health insurance and you become sick or hurt, you may be stuck with colossal medical bills (our latest video shows some examples of the cost of the medical care in the USA), and end up paying far more than you would have paid for health insurance in the first place. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and even if (as is hopefully the case) you end up never needing to make use of your health insurance coverage, it is far better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
In addition to providing you with access to preventive care, prescription drugs, and treatment for illnesses or injuries, health insurance protects you from the financial ruin that can occur when significant medical care is needed, particularly in the case of a chronic or ongoing illness.
Without health insurance, people are more likely to go without preventive care, to delay or forgo medical care which can be detrimental to your health. Having health insurance allows you to stay healthy, without worrying about accruing huge expenses. Did you also know that if an uninsured person is ill and comes to an emergency room for care, they are often charged more for medical services than insured patients.
Make sure that, should the unexpected occur, you are safe and protected. Having adequate health insurance coverage is well worth the cost. Read more about international student health insurance and how it can work for you in our insurance explained section of our website and if you have any question, please contact one of our insurance experts for help.
Florida International University Student Health Insurance
August 16th, 2013 by Ross MasonTo see the latest insurance requirements for Florida International University, please see our school page here.
Florida International University (FIU) is a student-centered public research university located in Miami, Florida. It is committed to high-quality teaching, state-of-the-art research and creative activity, and collaborative engagement with its local and global communities. It is a great choice for international students considering studying in the United States.
All international students who attend FIU are required to carry coverage that meets the Florida International University Student Health Insurance requirements – and students with F and J visas are required to present proof of medical insurance before they register for classes. Like many schools in the United States, the university offers a university-sponsored policy with the State University system’s Insurance Broker, however that can sometimes be costly to purchase.
Students are however allowed to purchase their own health insurance policy, and have their insurance company complete and fax the International Student Alternative Health Insurance Compliance Form to the student health center. Although FIU’s health insurance plan is perfectly adequate for international students, you will find that it is more expensive, and you can save money by purchasing a health insurance plan from another provider.
Further Information:
Our Student Health Insurance plan Budget, Select and Elite levels meet all the health insurance coverage requirements set by Florida International University, and is less expensive than their school sponsored insurance plan. Please visit our website for more information about the plan, or contact one of our insurance experts if you would like help purchasing the right plan. You can also visit the FIU school page to learn more about your school’s requirements and how our plan meets that requirement.
Updated August 5, 2020
Navigating the US Healthcare System Video
August 14th, 2013 by Ross MasonPerhaps one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from students and schools alike, is that there are not enough resources available for international students to learn about navigating the US healthcare system. Probably one of the most complex systems in the world, we find many students are unsure of how to seek treatment appropriately or that without insurance they could be paying thousands of dollars out in medical expenses!
To help students, we have developed our new video titled “Overview of the US Healthcare System for International Students”. The video is designed to give international students an introduction on the system in the USA, including topics such as how to prepare before they travel, an overview of the US healthcare system and advice on where to seek treatment if they do become sick or injured.
You can view the video below:
We have designed the video to be educational for all international students, so that they can learn how the system works in the USA and avoid troubles or issues later down the line. For more information on various insurance topics for international students, please visit our insurance explained section for more information.
International Student Orientations
If you would like to show this short 6 minute video to your incoming international students at their orientation, or you would like to include the video on your website – please contact us as we would be happy to provide you with the embedding code or a copy on DVD.
Top 5 Benefits of Going In-Network
August 12th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
Your insurance plan contracts with a number of doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, radiology facilities, and pharmacies. These providers make up your network, and can sometimes be known as your insurance provider network or PPO network. It is generally best to seek care within your network and there are several benefits of going in-network for health care.
The top 5 benefits of going in-network are:
You save money
Providers in your network have agreements with your insurance company that save you money. These providers agree to accept your plan’s contracted rate as payment in full for services. This contracted rate included both your insurer’s share of the cost and your share.
Services are provided at a lower rate
Your plan may require higher co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance for out of network care. For example, if you usually have to pay 20% of the cost of the service in-network, you may have to pay 30% of the cost out of network. Often, you will have to pay that as well as any difference between your insurer’s allowed amount and what the provider charges.
Streamlined expenses
You will typically expect that the process when seeking medical care from a provider that is part of your network is the process is much smoother and streamlined, with less paperwork to complete and in some cases you may not have to make any payments upfront.
Quality Standards
Providers are held to certain quality standards for plan members, this means that you can be certain you are receiving the highest possible quality of care when you seek in-network treatment, allowing you a certain peace of mind.
No Coverage!
Your plan may not cover out of network care at all. If this is the case, you will have the pay the full cost of treatment yourself, and paying for health care without insurance can get very expensive very quickly.
If you seek health care from a provider outside of your network, you will certainly end up paying more for care, for a variety of reasons. If at all possible, try to make sure that any health care providers you use are within your insurance network. This will help keep your out-of-pocket expenses relatively low. For more information about insurance provider networks, please visit our insurance explained section to learn more.
University of North Carolina Charlotte International Student Insurance
August 10th, 2013 by Ross Mason
This blog has been updated to reflect the new insurance requirements for the University of North Carolina Charlotte for the 2019-2020 school year.
The University of North Carolina in Charlotte requires all international student have health insurance while in attendance at the school. UNC Charlotte offers students the University of North Carolina Charlotte International Student Insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, in which international students can choose to enroll. However students also have the option to choose to waive this plan and enroll in another US or home country plan that meets the university’s minimum health insurance requirements.
Alternative Health Insurance
The minimum requirements that your health plan must meet are:
- Full sickness and accident coverage per plan year
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness per plan year
- Deductible no greater than $500
- Minimum of $25,000 for repatriation coverage
- Minimum of $50,000 for medical evacuation
- Pregnancy and mental health benefits (must be comparable to the benefits offered in the Student Insurance plan)
Health Insurance that Meets Your Requirements
Our Student Health Insurance plan meets all of these requirements on both the Select and Elite levels. Choosing either of these plans over UNC Charlotte’s school sponsored plan will save you a considerable amount of money.
- UNC Charlotte School plan $1,313.50 for 9/1 until 12/31
- Our Student Health plan for an international student between 18-24 years old:
- Select – $448.29 for 9/1 until 12/31
- Elite – $824.67 for 9/1 until 12/31
If you do choose to waive the school sponsored plan, your dates of coverage need to be through December 31. You will need to complete an online insurance waiver and send a copy of your policy declaration page to the school for review. The deadline for the waiver form is September 10, 2019.
For more information on our plan, please visit our website, or you can contact one of our insurance experts who will be more than happy to assist you. You can also learn more about the International Student Health Insurance requirements for University of North Carolina Charlotte on our school requirements page.
Updated July 2, 2019
Carnival in Rio for International Students
August 9th, 2013 by Ross Mason
If you study in Brazil over the spring semester, you will have the opportunity to experience the Carnival of Brazil. The Brazilian Carnival is an annual festival that takes place from the Friday to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It is the most famous holiday in Brazil, and has become an event of huge proportions. The country more or less stops completely for about a week while the festivals continue, day and night.
Carnival celebrations differ from one region of Brazil to another. The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is considered to be the biggest carnival in the world, with two million people per day in the streets. The city hosts a huge organized parade led by samba schools. A samba school is a large group of performers, financed by respected organizations (although some are sponsored by illegal gambling groups). They work year-round in preparation for Carnival and the Carnival in Rio for International Students is a must-see event!
One of the key purposes of the Rio Carnival parade is for samba schools to compete amongst each other. This competition is the climax of the Carnival celebration. It runs for four nights, and at the end one school is declared the winner. They are judged by costume, flow, theme, and band music quality and performance.
Another feature of the Rio Carnival is the blocos. Blocos are groups of people who dress in costumes or special T-shirts with themes and/or logos. They include both a percussion or music group and an entourage of revelers. They are generally associated with certain neighborhoods.
Street festivals are very common during Carnival, and are extremely popular with the locals, as anyone is allowed to participate in the street festivals. Music and dancing make up an integral part of the celebrations. In 2012, over 5 million people attended a bloco in Rio de Janeiro. Carnival is an experience you will certainly not want to miss if you have the opportunity to experience it. Let loose and experience the festival in all its glory!
To learn more about Brazil in general, and the Brazil International Student Insurance requirements, please visit our website for more information.
Making Insurance Purchases Easier | New Application System
August 8th, 2013 by Ross MasonOver the last few weeks we have been working hard at developing our new online application system with the aim of making insurance purchases easier, and we are proud to announce that the new system went live yesterday, offering our clients some excellent new features and tweaks. The new system is designed to be easier to use, and should make your insurance purchase that much smoother.
Some of the new features include:
- Simplified 4 step process to purchase coverage
- Running summary on the sidebar so you can always see what you are purchasing
- Save quote & email feature allowing you to come back to your application later
- Live chat embedded into the application to contact us quickly if needed
Both applications are available on our main products – and you can purchase coverage and run free quotes now at:
We have also created a brief tutorial for our students to walk them through the Student Secure application:
If you would like more information about the system, or need help purchasing coverage please contact one of our insurance experts who will be more than happy to help you.
