Health, Safety & Insurance

EdAbroad requires all students who are studying abroad to complete the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation series. Students will be added to the Pre-Departure Orientation series when they apply to a study abroad program at WWU. 

Pre-Departure Steps to Complete:

• Review all the content in the pre-departure Canvas course.
• Attend both the mandatory pre-departure sessions in person:
  • Session 1: Mindful Travel: Navigating Culture & Identity Abroad
  • Session 2: Responsible Travel: Health, Safety & Security

Those participating in faculty-led programs or non-credit programs may be required to attend customized pre-departure sessions with their faculty leader and EdAbroad staff before departure. 

The WWU Education Abroad office encourages all students to consider studying abroad. Studying abroad can present students with exciting, life-enriching experiences while making progress toward completing your degree. 

One way to assure a safer study abroad experience is to learn more about how people who share your background experience life in your potential study abroad country. As you explore your study abroad options, you will want to consider aspects of your identity and begin your research. You might pose questions as you research online such as:

     “Is Chile accessible for wheelchair users?”

     “Safety tips for women traveling in Italy.” 

     “Can I use my GI Bill to study in the U.K.?” 

     “What’s it like to be _____ traveling/living in Japan?”  

Each host community’s socio-cultural context may present challenges and rewards. Being knowledgeable beforehand enables you to better adjust and adapt within your new environment. It also helps you make an informed decision about what risks you’re willing to take and where you’ll choose to study. 

The EdAbroad office has compiled resources for some groups of students who have asked for extra information regarding what they should consider before studying abroad. These categories and resources are not exhaustive but meant to be a starting point. 

• Athletes
• Disabled Students
• Studying Abroad with an Emotional Support Animal
• First Generation Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ+ Students Abroad
• Race & Ethnicity
• DACA & Undocumented Students
• Veterans Abroad

Studying or working abroad is extremely rewarding in many ways, but it can also be very stressful and may impact students' mental health. Students experience all sorts of new situations and emotions, and these experiences and situations can be really hard, exhausting, and emotionally taxing, especially when isolated from friends and family. Check in with yourself and remember that there is no wrong response to life abroad. Recognizing changes in your mental health and well-being, and knowing what resources are available to you, is a key part of a successful study abroad experience. 

Before departure, students should:

• Create a plan to navigate mental health challenges abroad that may include connecting with a therapist, exercise, journaling, meditation, getting involved in local activities to avoid isolation, and more healthy coping mechanisms that work for you.
• Understand counseling resources and prescriptions that are available in their host country. Some common prescription medications are illegal in other countries, so it's important to know what you can take with you. Plan to have enough medication for the direction of your program and pack it in your carry-on luggage. For more information, see the information on Vaccines, Health Considerations & Medications below.
• Bring items with you that are important for self-care, including but not limited to a journal, headphones, books, or running shoes.
• WWU Counseling and Wellness Center is available to you through your travel prep and upon your return.

When abroad, you can access mental health resources through your international health insurance policy. 

Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in all educational programs. Western’s “Policy on Preventing and Responding to Sex Discrimination, Including Sexual Misconduct” applies to international programs. Title IX and Western’s Policy advocate for the protection of everyone from sexual violence, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, and race or ethnicity.

If you or a friend experience sexual harassment or sexual violence during an international program, please seek help. Reach out to your program director or host university to notify them of the situation and seek medical attention. You may also want to notify local authorities or utilize resources at WWU. Note, it is not always safe to contact the authorities in your host country. If you are in doubt, please seek advice before you do so.

WWU Resources: 

• Survivor Advocacy Services - A confidential survivor-centered and trauma-informed resource for Western students. Survivor Advocacy Services also offers training for faculty and staff.
• Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance - Investigates reports of sexual violence or sexual harassment involving two or more WWU students, faculty, or staff. Western employees must promptly report incidents to the Title IX Coordinator.
• Supporting Friends Who Are Survivors - Survivors of dating abuse and sexual violence usually seek support from their friends, loved ones, and community first, before reaching out to formal support systems like an advocate or counselor. Each of us can play an important role in believing, validating, and supporting those who are closest to us. Use the information and resources offered here, at WWU, to best support your friends if they are not feeling safe in a relationship and/or experienced violence.
• Supporting Student Survivors - Faculty and staff members have a role to play. This guide can help you navigate those efforts and give you relevant resources for your students. 

Additional Resources: 

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) or chat at rainn.org
• Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services - Bellingham-based survivor resource

Research the cultural customs and the political landscape of your host country before you depart. Knowing what is happening locally can help ensure you stay safe and pick a program that will set you up for success. 

Some resources to get started include: 

• U.S. State Department
• British Foreign and Commonwealth Office

You should also note local laws that may be important for your time abroad. You are responsible for knowing and upholding the laws at your destination. 

Vaccinations & Health Considerations

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a great place to start to consider steps you might want to take before studying abroad, as well as information specific to your destination. This includes recommendations on vaccines and medications you may need before departure, preventable diseases, and guidance on staying healthy abroad. We recommend that you are up to date on all routine immunizations before going abroad. 

Medications

• Document which medications you take and work with your health care provider to ensure you have ample access to those medications during the entire duration of your travel. Plan to bring enough medication to last the duration of your program. However, many countries do not allow you to bring more than a 3-month supply of medication. In such cases, you may need to contact the embassy or consulate to get approval for a larger supply, or you may need to find out if you can refill your medications at your destination.
• Research if your medications are legal and available in your destination.  
  • Medications that are legal and commonly prescribed in the US may be considered illegal and require additional prescriptions and authorizations to be allowed in the country (e.g., Adderall is illegal in Japan).
  • If you need help, contact the EdAbroad office. We can connect you with someone from our international health insurance provider who can help guide you.
• If your current medication is unavailable in your host country, consult your physician about switching to alternative medications and consider starting the new medication weeks to months before you depart to make sure it's effective. Switching medications while on a study abroad program is not a good time to experiment with such changes.
• Carry a letter from your physician explaining your diagnosis, treatment, and list of medications, as customs may scrutinize medication or you may need to get a prescription refilled abroad. Keep medication in the original containers showing your name, the instructions for use, and the name and dosage of the medication.

Register for the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

From the Department of State website:

• The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens 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.

The Department of State also has a downloadable app for Apple and Android users.

Below are further resources from the U.S. Department of State:

• What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis
• Tips for Traveling Abroad
• Students Abroad

Your Travel Plan will assist the WWU Education Abroad Office to assist you / know you are safe in case of an emergency. Please confirm that you are enrolled in a Travel Plan and that it is correct before departure. 

1. Log in to the EdAbroad Portal
2. Click My Travel in the menu options on the left
3. Click My Plans
   1. If you are traveling on a Faculty Led Global Learning Program - you will be enrolled in a Group Plan. You do not need to do anything further.
   2. If you are traveling on a provider program or exchange, you need to create a Travel Plan.
4. To create a Travel Plan, click Register Travel
5. Click Register Solo Travel Plan
6. Enter Plan Name. It should read: Term, Year, Program Name, First and Last Name
7. Select Plan Type:
   *Select Study Abroad - if you are earning ANY credit during your time abroad. Almost everyone should select Study Abroad as their Plan Type.
   *Select Internship - if you are doing an internship
8. Enter Where you will be traveling. Note: If you are studying at multiple sites, please enter the City, Country and Start/End Dates for each destination. Examples include: CIEE Open Campus, SAI Shorts, and ISA/Worldstrides Intensive Months / Short-term Service Learning
9. Click Create Plan
10. You can add your flight information, activities and housing information in your Plan Itinerary
11. Click My Travel in the menu options on the left to access your Travel Plan

To Build your Itinerary

1. Complete the steps above and click Keep Going! Build My Itinerary
2. Click + Add Detail
3. Click Transportation, Housing, or Activity
4. Click Continue
5. Fill out required information and any additional info, as desired
6. Click Add

SafeCheck allows the EdAbroad office to contact you in case of an emergency. You can mark that you are safe or need assistance, and we will follow up accordingly. 

1. Log in to the EdAbroad Portal
2. Click My Travel in the menu options on the left
3. Click SafeCheck
4. Click Edit Phone Number
5. Add a valid mobile number
6. Click Enroll

Image

• Your destination’s local emergency services (911-equivalent): Find yours here
• Your destination’s nearest U.S. Embassy: Find yours here
• The numbers of your program director or in-country contacts

The US Department of State manages all our embassies and consulates abroad, and with the help of US security personnel on the ground in each country, the State Department rates the safety of each county on a Level 1 – 4 scale:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• Level 4: Do Not Travel

WWU allows students to travel to Level 1 and 2 countries in accordance with POL-U2105.01 Traveling Abroad for Educational Experiences. WWU student travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 country requires an approved petition. Please note, Level 3 is the threshold at which even the US government begins to evacuate some of its own diplomatic personnel and their dependents. Therefore, it is important to assess risk and take the necessary safety precautions prior to travel. 

Our goal is not to limit your academic experiences abroad, but help you think about how you will stay safe. We want you to think carefully about potential risk at your proposed destination and consider how you might be able to mitigate it. 

All petitions will be reviewed by the Director of Education Abroad, the Executive Director of the Global Engagement Office (GEO), the Director of Risk Management and the Provost. Please make sure to review the US State Department Travel Advisory for your destination(s) and write a rationale and risk management plan for travel.

If you need help, please contact EdAbroad@wwu.edu.

Are you a Faculty Member Traveling with Students?

If you are a faculty member traveling with students to a Level 3 or Level 4 country, you are required to submit a petition prior to travel. You can submit your petition on behalf of the group.  

Are you a Student Traveling on Their Own?

If you are student that wishes to travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 country as part of a study abroad program or co-curricular or extracurricular international travel experience, you must submit a petition on your own behalf. 

To Submit a Petition:

Complete and submit this esign form: Requesting Exception to Official Travel Warnings. 

Are you a WWU student traveling for study abroad or a non-credit co-curricular experience?

• Information on international health insurance enrollment will be given to you as a part of the application process for study abroad, or when you register your travel with the EdAbroad office for a non-credit experience. 

Are you a WWU faculty member who wants to purchase international health insurance for work-related travel?

• Contact EdAbroad@wwu.edu if you would like to enroll in international health insurance coverage through WWU. Please tell us where you are going and your travel dates. We will work with you to determine the best way to purchase coverage for trip. 

iNext Accident & Sickness Insurance - Ultimate Plan

Upgrades for International Travel Outside of Canada

*This is only a brief description of the coverage available. Please see your policy with restrictions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. 

How do I use my insurance or file a claim?

In most cases, you should be financially prepared to pay for healthcare services up front while abroad. You should simply go to the doctor of your choice, pay the doctor, and submit a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to save supporting documentation, such as original receipts, diagnosis, proof of travel, etc., to file a claim. In certain emergency situations, such as hospitalization, you can call International Medical Group (IMG) who can issue a guarantee of payment for up to $5,000 or help you arrange a doctor to visit. See your policy for more detailed information on what is included and how to file a claim, or visit the iNext website.

CISI Overview of Benefits in 2025

*This is only a brief description of the coverage available. Please see your policy with restrictions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. 

How do I extend my CISI coverage? 

To extend your CISI coverage for personal travel before and/or after your program, go into your CISI portal and click on “purchase individual coverage” for the individual WA outbound plan, or go to the CISI website and select “extend my insurance plan.” Contact Kathleen at CISI: enrollments@mycisi.com, 203-399-5509 for assistance.

How do I file a claim with CISI? 

In most cases, you should be financially prepared to pay for healthcare services up front while abroad. You should simply go to the doctor of your choice, pay the doctor, and submit a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to save supporting documentation, such as original receipts, diagnosis, proof of travel, etc., to file a claim. In certain emergency situations, such as hospitalization, they will issue a guarantee of payment. See your policy for more detailed information on what is included and how to file a claim or visit the CISI website.