Avoiding Travel Stress during the Winter Holiday Season
December 3rd, 2011 by ahoontrakulIt’s already December and many students will have the winner holiday break coming up soon. If you are planning on traveling this season keep in mind that you are not alone, whether you are celebrating the holidays or New Year. Couple this with possible inclement weather such as snow storms and you can imagine that this year is unlike many others, flights delays or cancellations. Whether for vacation or returning home to see your friends and family, being prepare can lessen the travel stress that you might experience during your trip.
Be prepared for your trip and bring entertainment in case you find yourself sitting and waiting for your next flight. This means bringing your iPod/iPad, Gameboy, cell phone, or any other electronic devices with you fully charged. Because while many airports now have electrical outlets, the number of them are limited and someone else may be using them. You don’t want to run out of battery when you’re stuck waiting in the airport (but bring your charger just in case!). You can also bring a book or other reading material in case you need a change of pace.
Another necessity is bringing food and snacks with you on your trip, worse than being bored is being hungry. Some airline doesn’t serve food on short flights, if the delay gets really bad, the airline or the airport may very well run out of food (or there might be some major lines!).
Being prepared also means preparing yourself mentally for the unexpected such as delays or cancellations. It can also mean avoiding travel delays before it even happens. Book flights that have a good record of not being delayed and opt for nonstop flight if possible, the more connections you have the more likelihood of delays.
If you need to run to catch your next flight, it helps if you can get through the security link faster. Check out some helpful hints for holiday travelers by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
If worst come to worst, having a good trip cancellation travel insurance policy can help if you find yourself in a situation where your flights are cancelled, or if you are delayed for a long period of time reducing your travel stress. Most plans also provide travel assistance to help reduce travel stress and headache.
Standard Student Health Insurance Plans
November 28th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelMany international students studying overseas will need to purchase student health insurance. Since health care varies country by country, it is important to consider the health care of the place you are traveling to. Important questions to ask yourself include:
- How is health care received and paid for in my host country?
- Does my country have universal health care? If so, am I eligible?
- Do I have any insurance requirements in order to receive my visa?
Health care in many countries require foreigners to pay for their own health care. In situations like these, purchasing standard student health insurance plans can lift the burden of paying expensive health care costs in the event of an accident or illness. Other countries may require you to purchase an insurance plan that meets specific guidelines. In these cases, you may need to show proof of coverage in advance, or upon arrival in your host country.
International Student Insurance offers standard student health insurance plans that works for students around the world. Students can purchase a comprehensive health insurance that covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, repatriation, emergency medical evacuation, and much more! Our plans are affordable, and can be easily purchased with same-day coverage. Upon purchasing the plan, students will receive their documents electronically which will include the receipt, ID card, and plan information.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our licensed insurance agents.
What is the Difference Between Trip cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
November 18th, 2011 by ahoontrakulLet’s say you are planning to study abroad in the near future and you paid your tour cost, your plane ticket, etc. What would happen if you no longer can go on your trip? What would happen to your money for your plan/ train ticket that you already paid for?
This is where trip cancellation comes in! Trip cancellation is designed to cover your prepaid non-refundable losses in case you have to cancel your trip. While every trip cancellation plan is different, many trip cancellation policies cover cancellation due to sickness and injury, death of primary insured or immediate family members, bad weather, travel provider going out of business, etc. Trip cancellation protects you against losing your non-refundable expenses that you paid for if you have to cancel your trip. While trip cancellation benefits usually disclose a list of reasons for canceling, some plans allow you to include the cancel for any reason benefit so that you can cancel for an unlisted reason.
Trip interruption is similar to trip cancellation but it provides protection once you have already begun your travel. If you need to return home due to substantial destruction to your home, or an immediate family member’s death, trip interruption benefit will reimburse you – or it may also cover your plane flight home.
If you want to protect yourself against losing money on your traveling expenses, consider our trip cancellation insurance plan. Our trip cancellation also provides other benefits like trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage and more. If you have any questions about trip cancellation insurance or other insurance needs, feel free to contact our international insurance specialist.
International Students in Australia
November 14th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelAustralia has been trying to deal with the latest dip in international student enrollment especially as higher education continues to grow increasingly more competitive worldwide. Australia has seen a 20% reduction in student visas which has primarily affected business programs throughout the country.
Many international students in Australia enroll in business school, either in management or commerce – or in MBA programs. According to the Australian Trade Commission, over 50% of international students were enrolled in management and commerce last year in 2010. Looking at the MBA student population at Melbourne Business School, 70% of full-time students were international students whereas the MBA program at RMIT University of Melbourne’s was approximately 45-50% international students. Australian universities and colleges are no longer sitting on the sidelines watching their enrollment drop. Pressuring the government to change the student visa process, it is hoped that the number of international students in Australia will stabilize and begin to increase.
With the reduction in enrollment, the Australian government announced last month that there would be further changes to the student visa process. This comes after changes back in April eased Australia student visa requirements even further in hopes of changing this data around.
Changes in the visa requirements for international students in Australia will allow those students with a degree from an Australian institution to have an additional two years post-study that will allow students to work overseas. Other changes announced include a quicker and easier visa process along with eased financial requirements. These requirements are anticipated to go into effect the middle of 2012.
Costa Rica Study Abroad Insurance
November 7th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelWhen choosing where you want to study abroad, many students look for a warm, tropical, diverse country that is friendly and welcoming. That being said, it is no surprise that Costa Rica ranks in the top 10 primary travel destinations for study abroad students.
If you are one of the 6,363 students who did a study abroad program last year, then it comes as no surprise as to why Costa Rica is a popular place for students. Not only do students have the opportunity to learn Spanish, but students will learn in a tourist-friendly country, with access to some of the world’s most precious diversity. National parks, white (or even black!) sandy beaches and fresh food year round, how could anyone pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity?
If you plan on studying in Costa Rica, it’s important to do your research before boarding the plane. While Costa Rica is one of the more developed countries in Central America, no traveler should go overseas without insurance in place. The Costa Rica Study Abroad insurance has been specifically designed to cover you in Costa Rica whether you are sick, injured, or even if your bag is lost in transit.
We all know that Costa Rica is an adventurer’s paradise where you can see the rainforest canopy by zip line or catch your breath as you brave the turbulent water while you go white water rafting. The Costa Rica study abroad insurance gives you the option to add the optional sports rider if you plan on doing extreme activities. Don’t let your insurance plan hold you back from taking advantage of all the opportunities that come your way!
Health care in Costa Rica is public for the Ticos (also known as Costa Ricans), but is at a foreign visitor’s expense. Prepare for the time you spend in Costa Rica, get a Costa Rica study abroad insurance if your school doesn’t already provide insurance for you.
If you plan on studying in Costa Rica, you’ll soon understand the phrase “Pura Vida” – and incorporate it into your every day speech!
M-1 Visa Student Insurance
November 4th, 2011 by ahoontrakulWhile many students in the United States usually enter with either a F-1 or J-1 visa, many people often forget about the M-1 student visa for vocational schools. Once a student has been accepted to a vocational program, they are issued an I-20 form which can be used to apply for the M-1 visa.
While the M-1 student visa does not have any insurance requirements set by the government, most schools will have their own health insurance requirements.
If you are a full-time student on a M-1 visa, our M-1 visa student health insurance plan, called the Student Secure plan, can provide you coverage while you are studying in the US. The plan offers comprehensive insurance that would cover you in case you become sick or injured. If your program is less than one year, you can also choose to have the plan for any number of months as you are not required to sign up for a full year.
Another popular plan for vocational students is the Atlas Travel Plan. This plan also provides medical coverage while you are in the United States. If you need further help deciding which plan is right for you or if you have special insurance requirements, please feel free to contact us to speak with a qualify insurance agent.
Popular Majors for International Students
October 31st, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelMany students dream about going overseas to study. There is little doubt that the world is interconnected and having an international perspective (and perhaps grasp of another language) will make you more competitive in the job market. The number of international students has been on a steady increase year after year. According to the Open Doors Report, popular majors for international students have been the following:
- 21.1% Business/Management
- 18.4% Engineering
- 8.9% Physical/Life Sciences
- 8.8% Math and Computer Science
- 8.7% Social Sciences
As you can see, the majority of international students – 1 in 5 to be exact – study business and management. The popular majors for international students within this field include finance, accounting, marketing, economics, human resources, and management. Following business, the second most commonly studied field is engineering. Many international students recognize that studying in the United States can be expensive, so studying a field where the benefit will outweigh the cost upon graduation is a huge consideration for incoming students.
According to these statistics, the popular majors for international students are greatly influenced by the largest sending countries: India and China. Many of these students who return home after studying such technical skills find that they have a competitive edge. Students are able to find and secure meaningful jobs after having exposure to some of the most novel and up-to-date information, technology and training.
While a US degree can be invaluable to students, language fluency is automatically acquired through studies in the United States. In many cases, English fluency – in both engineering and business – is an important requirement to advance to higher positions within these fields. Scientific journals as well as international business is primarily done in English. Having not only a US degree combined with English fluency creates a recipe for long-term career success.
Spain Study Abroad Insurance
October 24th, 2011 by Jennifer Frankel
“Bienvenidos a España!”
Are these the words you are dreaming about? The chance to study in Spain is a unique opportunity where you can learn about the diverse region we know today as Spain. With over 46 million people, Spain is home to a variety of regional identities including Basques, Catalans, Galicians, and Castilians just to name a few. If you are looking to learn Spanish – or perhaps the second most commonly spoken language, Catalan – Spain may just be the perfect study abroad location for you.
Before you plan on departing your home country to explore this diversity, you will need to consider purchasing Spain Study Abroad Insurance. This plan will cover you outside your home country, even if you decide to spend your weekends taking advantage of the inexpensive transportation that will enable you to travel Europe with ease and flexibility.
Entrance to the country can be quite difficult if you are not properly prepared. You will need to present coverage of your Spain Study Abroad Insurance showing that you meet the minimum requirements specified by the Spanish government. Most consulates require that your Spain Study Abroad insurance plan have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros with repatriation included.
The Atlas Travel plan is designed to cover you educational studies overseas in Spain, as well as outside your home country. Not only does the plan meet the minimum requirements of 30,000 euros with repatriation as an included benefit, but you’ll be able to get a customized visa letter immediately that you can present as proof of coverage. By having everything at your finger tips, you can rest assured that you are in proper hands no matter what situation you face overseas. The plan provides translation services around the clock, and includes coverage for sicknesses such as colds and the flu as well as major emergencies that include hospitalization, emergency room visits, urgent care, and much more.
For more information about Spain student insurance plans, please see our dedicated section just for travel to Spain.
Spain map provided by Shutterstock
