Creating a packing list for studying abroad
February 25th, 2011 by ahoontrakulEven the most experienced traveler can sometimes forget and leave something behind; it’s important to create a packing list for each trip you are going on. While your packing list will be different for every trip, there are some important things to consider no matter where you go:
The Essentials
Before you step out of your house, make sure you have your passport and any tickets that you will need, this should be the on the top of your list. It’s never fun having to drive home from the airport to get your passport with the risk of missing your flight.
Make sure you have some cash in the local currency with you before leave; you don’t want to be stuck in a pinch somewhere that doesn’t take a credit card. Call your credit card and ATM card provider to let them know that you will be using your card in another country and check if there are any fees for using them abroad. An ATM card may be a good way to take out cash while abroad since they often give you better exchange rate than a currency exchange kiosk found at the airport or other tourist spot.
Bring your study abroad insurance documents with you, including your ID card. You should also make copies of your important documents like your passport, and keep the copy separate from you original just in case they get lost or stolen.
Clothing
Know the climate of the country you are going to. It make sense that if you are traveling from a warm tropical location to a cold climate that you would need to pack something warm; but don’t just pack it all in your suitcase, put it in your carry on as well! If your suitcase is delayed or lost, you will be stepping off the plane with just a t-shirt at the airport while it’s freezing outside.
Since you will be studying abroad, consider how much shopping you will be doing during the months you are living in your host country. It’s almost inevitable that you would be picking out souvenirs and new shirts or shoes in the months that you are there. You don’t want to pack too much that you don’t have room for your new purchases, unless you’re willing to throw them away or pay to have them shipped separately. However, there may be certain things you don’t want to buy while abroad. For example, if you know you will be attending events where you would have to dress up, you may want to bring your expensive 3-piece suit and leather shoes with you.
Miscellaneous
You will need to also bring your electronics including your camera, laptop, iPod/MP3 player, cell phone etc. Don’t forget the charger for each of them and the electrical plug adapter. Check if you will need a converter as well, an electric toothbrush for a 110v will break if you plug it into a 220v socket.
If you will be using a cell phone abroad you may want to buy a prepaid phone or a sim card so you don’t have to pay for the expensive roaming charge.
There are many picking list available online, it is meant only to be a guide. When you have a packing list it will help protect you from leaving anything behind and at the very least give you a peace of mind that you really didn’t forget anything.
Health Insurance for OPT
February 22nd, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelAre you an international student planning to continue on Optional Practical Training (OPT) once you graduate? As we approach the end of the semester, many international students will turn their experience of studying in the United States into an opportunity of meaningful and practical work experience.
As you approach the end of your studies, you are going to consider many factors as you make this transition. One of the most important decisions is health insurance for OPT. Many international students who are studying at a university or college have insurance through their school. When you switch status and are no longer enrolled in classes, you may find that you are no longer eligible for your school’s insurance plan. Instead, you will need to purchase a private health insurance for OPT that will cover you for doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, surgery, labs, x-rays, etc.
Before discontinuing your school’s plan, you will want to purchase an insurance plan that will start immediately when your previous policy terminates. By doing this, you will avoid any gaps in coverage so that you can rest assured that you are covered in case the unexpected happens. As you may know, health care costs in the United States can easily add up if you are not properly covered. A visit to the emergency room can easily add up to thousands of dollars without insurance.
To avoid this situation, you can purchase an affordable health insurance that will cover you as you continue your education in the United States. Some health insurance options for OPT can be purchased on a monthly basis, like with the Student Secure, to give you the flexibility you need. If you would like to speak to one of our licensed insurance agents, contact us to speak to one of our representatives who works with international students on a daily basis.
Preparing for your study abroad trip
February 18th, 2011 by ahoontrakul
So you did your research for your ideal study abroad program and for international scholarship opportunities, and now you’ve picked where you want to go. That’s great! But now what? Study abroad usually involves more than just picking your school, paying the plane ticket and school tuition. Early preparation is essential and will save you from last minute headaches. Below is a list of some important considerations you should prepare in advance of your study abroad trip:
Country visa requirements
If you already have your heart set on a country and school, you should research what the requirements would be in order for you to study there. Most countries will require international students to apply for a student visa. Checking with your school’s study abroad office or embassy’s website would be helpful to gain more information about what requirements you need to meet to obtain a visa.
Insurance requirements
Keep in mind that even if you have health insurance in your home country, it may not provide coverage while you study abroad.
Many of these countries also require that you must have health insurance in order to apply for a visa. Some examples of popular destinations with health insurance requirements include the the J-1 visa requirements in the US, student visas in Finland and insurance requirements if entering one of the Schengen countries.
Many universities also require insurance for international students. If you are an international student studying in the U.S., you should check if your university requires you to purchase the school’s plan or whether you have other insurance options, look up your insurance requirements in our school insurance requirements data-base.
Check for important dates!
You should also check for any application deadlines and be mindful if you have to mail any documents internationally, as it may take longer than you expected for it to be delivered.
If you don’t have a passport already, you should apply for your documents early. You will also want to make sure that your passport is valid for the period of travel, no one wants to find out that their passport expired in the middle of your trip.
Research your country
Unlike taking a trip while vacationing for just a few days in a country, when you study abroad you are most likely going to spend a long period of time in your host country. You should do some research on the language and culture of the place you are going to in order to avoid culture shock or to avoid accidentally offend someone. Learn some key phrases and make some local friends; this is a great way to learn the culture. If you are a non-native English speaker and will be studying in an English speaking country, you will probably have to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS test for English proficiency.
Get proper vaccination for where you are traveling to, and check if you will need any medication while abroad and if they are available in your host country.
China Study Abroad Insurance
February 11th, 2011 by ahoontrakul
China has become one of the most popular countries for study abroad students from all over the world. From the U.S.A. alone, over 13,000 students went to study abroad in China during the 2008/2009 academic year. China is currently ranked number 5 on the top destination countries visited by U.S. students, right after the UK, Italy, Spain and France.
Even though it has become such a popular destination, it is still important to consider a comprehensive medical insurance when traveling to China. While high quality western style medical facilities are available in some places, primarily in major cities, many locations especially in the rural area lack adequate facility and doctors and would not be able to provide more than the most basic treatments. If you have serious sicknesses or injuries it may be necessary for you to be transported long distances to another facility where you can be treated.
Hospitals and clinics in major tourist locations may be accustomed to providing services to non-Mandarin Chinese speakers and may also have English speaking staff on location. Many hospitals and clinics also have what is called “VIP wards” or “Gaogan bingfang “(高干病房) for foreigners. However, even in these VIP wards, there may still be some difficulty not only because of language differences but also cultural and regulatory procedures.
In case of a medical emergency, you may dial 120 (toll free) for an ambulance. However, Chinese ambulances have been known to be slow to arrive. Ambulance personnel may also have little or no medical training and can be ill-equipped. Many people end up taking a taxis or other form of available transportation to the nearest hospital instead.
A great choice for China study abroad insurance is called the Atlas Travel Medical Plan. The plan would provide medical coverage in case you get sick or injured while abroad. It would also cover medical evacuation if you need to be transported to a place where they are able to provide you with necessary treatment and also a 24/7 translation service over the phone in case you need help communicating with the doctor.
Vietnamese International Student Insurance
February 7th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelMany international students from Vietnam come to the United States to pursue a higher degree. According to the IIE-Vietnam Office Director, “The U.S. remains the preferred destination for students from Vietnam who want to study abroad because of the quality and prestige associated with an American degree.”
Vietnam is in the top 10 countries sending international students to the United States. This year, there was a 2.3% increase in the number of Vietnamese students coming to the US. In 2010, there was 13,112 international students studying in the United States and the international student population is expected to continue to grow.
Many international students will realize that there are many differences between the United States and Vietnam – especially when it comes to the health care system. Many universities and colleges recommend that Vietnamese purchase an international student insurance policy before arriving in the United States. While purchasing a health insurance plan may cost you a few hundred dollars, this could save you thousands of dollars in case you need to seek medical treatment.
In fact, the United States is one of the most expensive countries to receive medical attention. To avoid high medical bills, many international students do research on their medical student insurance policy in advance of arriving in the US. To avoid the possibility of being in the United States without coverage, international students will ensure that their policy begins coverage the same day as their arrival.
One popular option is the Vietnamese international student insurance which allows you to start coverage the day you arrive in the US and you can get coverage as early as the same day (that is – in case you have already left your home country).
This Vietnamese international student insurance is available in three levels to allow students to choose the plan best designed to fit their budget and coverage needs. This international student insurance will cover Vietnamese in all 50 states while they study in the United States. Be sure to check your school requirements to confirm that this Vietnamese international student insurance plan will work for you.
Political Emergency Evacuation Insurance
February 4th, 2011 by ahoontrakulAfter the recent political unrest in Egypt and Tunisia, we thought it would be important to mention political evacuation insurance plans.
Political turmoil in a country can cause problems for many people around the worlds not just for those living in the country. What if you are in a foreign country traveling or studying abroad and then something happens? What if you haven’t left your home country yet when it happens? Sure that is better than being there in the middle of the chaos, but what happens to your expensive plan ticket that you have already bought?
There are different insurance options which can provide protection against these political uncertainties. A good comprehensive travel medical insurance, like the Atlas Travel plan, can provide you with not only coverage in case you get sick or injured, but also with coverage in case you need to evacuate due to local unrest. If the United States government issues a travel warning that becomes effective after you have already arrived in your destination country, the Atlas Travel plan will provide transportation to the nearest place of safety or even cover your return back home.
If you are already covered for your medical needs, a stand-alone emergency evacuation insurance may be for you. While this plan doesn’t provide coverage for medical expenses, it will provide coverage for medical emergency, political evacuation and more.
Because you never know when something bad can happen, you want to have protection for when you are abroad and also before you actually leave for your trip. If certain events happen that would prevent you from taking your trip, you don’t want to lose all the money you have spent on your non-refundable plan ticket. The Trip Cancellation insurance plan can provide this coverage. If you add the Cancel for Any Reason option to the plan, you can be reimburse for 75% of your non-refundable tour cost. As with all insurance plans, it is important to read the terms of the plan carefully.
Ireland Study Abroad Insurance
January 28th, 2011 by ahoontrakul
The shamrock, the leprechaun, the world famous Guinness beer and just about everything green green and green! Not every country around the world has such recognizable images associated with it. Cliché or not, Ireland attracts many visitors each year as well as it should, many of which are international students.
In addition to the all the great places to visit and wonderful culture, Ireland has a dynamic atmosphere and world class education. Ireland has a young population, with well over 4.5 million people in a country slightly larger than the state of West Virginia; 35% of the population is under 25 years old. The University College Dublin’s MBA program has also been ranked 31th out of 100 of the world’s top MBA programs by the Economist Magazine for 2010.
While students from the European Union countries are eligible for free hospital services in Ireland, non-EU students are not covered for any free medical service and are required to show proof of medical insurance when going to register and apply for a student visa to study in Ireland.
Starting January 2011, all non EU/EAA newly arrive first year students in Ireland may purchase a private insurance policy as long as it meets these requirements:
- The insurance covers the student for one full year or where the student is staying in Ireland for less than one year for the entirety of their stay;
- The insurance coverage covers the student at a minimum of €25,000 for Accident and €25,000 for Disease;
- The insurance coverage covers the student for any period of hospitalization.
A great choice for study abroad insurance in Ireland is the Atlas plan, which would meet these requirements.
If you will be studying in Ireland for more than one year, the second year onward you have to buy your health insurance sourced in Ireland.
Educational Programs in Cuba Now Available to US Citizens
January 25th, 2011 by International-Student-InsuranceDating back to the 1960’s, US citizens have been restricted from traveling to Cuba due to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. Since the US President, Barak Obama took office, he promised that these restrictions would be reduced. Many educational programs and tourism agencies were preparing themselves strategically in hopes that they would be ready when these restrictions were lifted.
On January 14, 2011, this moment had finally come. The White House issued a press release officially announcing that educational travel would be allowed under what they dubbed “purposeful travel”. The press release further explained that the current legislation has been modified to allow licensed academic exchanges to permit students to travel to Cuba as long as students received credit toward their undergraduate and graduate degree. Additional modification was granted allowing academic institutions to sponsor and co-sponsor seminars, conferences, and workshops in Cuba and specifically announced that all those affiliated with an institution – student, faculty, staff – would be able to attend.
If you plan on studying or traveling to Cuba, you will most likely need an insurance plan. As you do research, you will notice that many US-based insurance companies have restrictions on coverage in Cuba. It is important to verify with you carrier about the coverage area as you may find that Cuba is an exception.
According to the US State Department, no medical facility in Cuba will accept U.S.-issued insurance cards, credit cards, or checks and that medical services must be paid for in cash. If you go to the doctor or hospital with a US policy, be prepared to pay out of pocket and then you will be able to submit receipts and bills for reimbursement.
We here at International Student Insurance work with students traveling all around the world, including in Cuba. If you are one of these students, faculty or staff looking for international travel insurance in Cuba, we recommend contacting our licensed agents that can further assist you.
