Health & Safety Abroad

Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going abroad. This is also a good time to talk to your doctor about bringing your prescription medications abroad. The quality and cost of dental and medical care may be different while you are abroad. Be in the best possible condition beforehand to avoid unnecessary medical attention while abroad. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing condition.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you should carry a letter from the attending physician describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs. Any medications you carry overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Some U.S. prescription medications are illegal in foreign countries and may subject you to arrest. Be sure to check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or through which you are transiting en-route to make sure your medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics in that country.

Some countries require foreign visitors to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (aka Yellow Card) or other proof that they have had certain inoculations or medical tests before entering or transiting through their country. Before you travel, check the CDC’s Country Specific Information to see which vaccinations are recommended for your destination and contact the foreign embassy of the country to be visited or transited through for current entry requirements. It’s also important to note that some vaccines take 4-6 weeks to become effective, so plan accordingly. The CDC website will also notify you of special health considerations for your destination. Please read the information carefully to be an informed traveler.

Travel clinics (such as the Travel Health Center at Lankenau) provide preventive medical care such as vaccinations to international travelers. Based upon your itinerary and medical history, they can outline the immunizations, medications, and other measures appropriate for your destination.

Sometimes going abroad may amplify a condition. Culture shock, language barriers, and homesickness can deepen isolation or depression. In addition, a traveler may not have adequate access to their prescription medication or mental health facilities. Before traveling, create a workable plan for managing any known mental health issues while abroad. The availability and quality of mental health services differ widely from country to country. In many countries, travelers may find it difficult — and sometimes impossible — to find treatment for mental health conditions. With your health services provider or with a member of the SJU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office, put together a workable mental health plan before you go overseas. In summary:

• If you have a medical or psychological condition that may require treatment while you are abroad, discuss this ahead of time with your doctor.
• Research the social culture of your destination to learn about how mental health concerns are viewed. Attitudes toward mental health can greatly vary between countries.
• If currently receiving mental health services — including prescription medication — find out if those services and/or medication are available at your destination.
• Consider the support system you’ll have in place while abroad. If possible, know ahead of time who you can consult about your mental health while traveling.

Find out if water is safe to drink in your destination countries by checking the health conditions on the CDC’s Traveler’s Health website. They recommend that you purify unsafe water before you drink it and make sure water bottles come sealed when you buy them. Ice and tap water can also be unsafe (depending on your destination), so be cautious when consuming iced drinks or washing fruits and vegetables. Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors can also pose problems related to food contamination. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with all illnesses, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods.

Consider bringing a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid and anti–diarrhea tablets.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also, tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling. For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, visit the CDC’s webpage Getting Sick after Travel.

All students participating in a Saint Joseph’s University study abroad program are required to have health insurance with international coverage. The insurance must be valid for the duration of the student’s studies abroad and must cover the following (at minimum):

• 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

Students participating in a semester or academic year abroad and those going on a non-SJU summer or winter program have several options for maintaining health insurance coverage while abroad:

1. Health insurance coverage through the program into which the student has been accepted (not always applicable!), or
2. Family-plan insurance, or
3. The Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan offered through Saint Joseph’s University (must be purchased at the beginning of the semester), or
4. Short-term insurance purchased through a provider that specializes in coverage for students of U.S. institutions while abroad (some options listed below).

Students should speak directly to their study abroad program to confirm whether they are covered by the program’s insurance. Additionally, many domestic family plans do not have the international coverage detailed above. Many families also seek additional, short-term coverage for the semester abroad. While the Center for International Programs does not endorse an individual company for students spending a semester abroad, we do provide students with a few options for short-term study abroad insurance in their pre-departure materials, including the following:

• GeoBlue
• CISI
• Travel Safe
• iNext

Once the student has determined which option(s) above apply to them, they will be asked to submit Verification of Medical Insurance Coverage and provide proof of that coverage through their CIP application.

With regards to SJU faculty-led Study Tours and Summer Programs, the insurance premium for GeoBlue Insurance is built directly into the program fee and includes emergency medical insurance and natural disaster and political evacuation coverage. Please note that students may NOT opt out of this coverage. Learn more about coverage by reviewing the GeoBlue Student Member Guide. 

Safety issues and laws vary by destination. Do not assume that just because something is legal in the U.S., it is legal abroad. Educate yourself!

Two important resources to use in your research are the U.S. Department of State Country Information and the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime & Safety Reports. (On the OSAC website, use the “Region Locator” to the right of the page to select your destination from the drop-down list.) You should review these sites for each country that you will be visiting, not just your primary study abroad destination.

If you are studying abroad through a program provider or at a foreign institution, you may also receive school, country, or city-specific information directly from them. We encourage you to share all information you receive with your parents, guardians, or families. Please do not hesitate to contact the Center for International Programs if you have any questions or concerns before your departure.

Conditions abroad may change rapidly. It’s important to stay informed of current events on a frequent (at least daily) basis by obtaining updated security and health information from and registering with the U.S. Department of State. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided to U.S. citizens/nationals who are traveling to or living in a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. STEP also allows Americans residing abroad to get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Once you have received your official acceptance notification, please take a few minutes to register. (NOTE: Students participating in an SJU faculty-led program will be registered through the CIP office.)

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should inform your home government of your travel.

• Travel in pairs or small groups for personal or weekend travel, not alone.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. If something feels suspicious, get yourself out of the situation as quickly as possible.
• Avoid unlit and unpopulated areas.
• Be discrete and conservative in your actions, dress, and conversations, and don’t flash your valuables (money, camera, phone, jewelry, etc.). In general, try to keep a low profile.
• NEVER leave your belongings unattended — not even for a second!
• Avoid crowds, demonstrations, protest groups, or other potentially volatile situations, as well as places where Americans are known to congregate.
• Keep a mental note of local “safe havens” such as the nearest police station, hospital, and U.S. Embassy.
• Always ask an individual directly if he or she is agreeable to being photographed or ask the authorities if photography is permitted in the area. (In many countries you can be detained for photographing security-related institutions, such as police and military installations, government buildings, border areas, and transportation facilities.)
• If you are planning to travel outside of your host country (even if it’s just one night), make sure that someone knows where you are going and how to contact you in an emergency.

While abroad, you must abide by the rules and regulations of your academic program or foreign institution, the laws of your host country, and Saint Joseph's Community Standards (which follow you anywhere in the world — even when you are home). Any violation of the Student Handbook that is reported to the CIP will also be reported to the Office of Community Standards and could result in sanctions upon your return, or, in more serious situations, suspension from your program or deportation from your host country.

If you still choose to consume alcohol while abroad, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Wine, beer, and liquor may have a higher alcohol content than is customary in the U.S. This could lead to overconfidence in judging the number and volume of drinks you can safely consume.
• Be aware of local laws and culture surrounding alcohol consumption. What is considered safe or “the norm” in one country may differ greatly from another.
• Never let your drink (or a friend’s) out of your sight. Unattended drinks/food can be spiked with colorless and odorless drugs like Rohypnol (“roofies”) or GHB (liquid ecstasy). These types of drugs are commonly used to facilitate sexual assaults.
• Don’t abandon intoxicated friends or let them go home alone, even if they insist. Use the buddy system at all times!
• Never drink and drive. In most countries, citizens and police have little to no tolerance for drunk drivers, and the consequences for being found drinking and driving are quite severe in most cases.
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited in most Muslim-majority countries and in some parts of India. U.S. citizens have been detained for possessing alcohol in their luggage upon arrival in some Muslim countries.

The following is adapted from the U.S. Department of State regarding the law and drug violations abroad:

• When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and are under its jurisdiction. You can be arrested overseas for actions that may be legal or considered minor infractions in the U.S.
• Don’t accept packages from anyone. If the package contains illegal drugs or substances, the fact that you didn’t know will not reduce the charges. You could miss your flight, your exams, or several years of your life during a stay behind bars.
• Don’t import, purchase, use, or have drugs in your possession. Drug charges can carry severe consequences in certain countries (including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried) and sentences may range from fines and jail time to years of hard labor. Some crimes even carry the penalty of death. Contraband or paraphernalia associated with illegal drug use can also get you in trouble.

Female travelers are more likely to face unwanted attention or even harassment in some cultures abroad. However, you may be able to avoid uncomfortable situations with the following precautions:

• Always try to stay with a group when exploring locally and avoid walking alone at night.
• Research dress and social behaviors before you go and respect the customs of the nation. What you think is casual may actually be considered provocative or unacceptable in other cultures. Know before you go, and pack accordingly.
• On arrival, note what local women are wearing and how they act, and try to follow their lead.
• Don’t feel the need to be overly polite if you are bothered by someone. While it may seem rude to be unfriendly to a stranger, creating boundaries to protect yourself is important. Use facial expressions, body language, and a firm voice to fend off any unwanted attention.
• Trust your instincts. If something is making you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation.

No matter where you are in the world, if you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault, there is help available to you and to them. Saint Joseph’s University offers a wide array of confidential resources to help students who have experienced a sexual assault, and the Center for International Programs (CIP) staff has been trained to assist you in receiving the help you need at your study abroad location. If the allegation of sexual assault involves another Saint Joseph’s University student or students, or a faculty or staff member, the University will conduct its own investigation and take appropriate and immediate action to address the circumstances presented and stop the alleged conduct from occurring again.

If you would like more information or to talk with someone while you are abroad, please contact SJU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Telephone: 610-660-1090. You could also utilize the services of RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. They have a toll-free, 24/7 hotline for sexual assault counseling and referrals: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). In addition, all those traveling abroad should be familiar with the University’s sexual offenses and sexual harassment policies located, which can be found on the Office of Community Standards website.

The CIP strongly discourages students from renting or buying a car, moped, or motorcycle while abroad. According to the Department of State, it is estimated that more than 200 U.S. citizens die each year because of road accidents abroad. Possible reasons for this high number include poorly maintained roads and poorly prepared drivers (i.e., drivers not accustomed to local regulations or driving vehicles that they do not know how to properly operate). Additionally, you will likely find that public transportation is the way the majority of local students get around, so it should be a part of your experience as well. We also recommend the following general tips for minimizing your risk as a passenger or pedestrian:

• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in overly crowded areas.
• Remember, pedestrians do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Visit the Country Specific Information on the Department of State’s website and the OSAC Crime and Safety Reports to review special road and travel considerations for your destination.

If you encounter a problem while studying abroad, you should first contact your on-site staff or an emergency responder. If unable to do so, please contact us as follows:

• During regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST): 610-660-1835
• Outside of business hours and on holidays: call Saint Joseph’s University Public Safety and Security at 610-660-1111. Be sure to provide them with your name, study abroad program, and a number where you can be reached. Public Safety will contact a CIP staff member, who will return the call as soon as possible.

If reporting an incident to the police or seeking medical attention, we strongly suggest that you request a copy of the police or medical report for your records.