Health

Studying away in an unfamiliar environment requires various considerations and preparations for your own health and wellness. Your study away program may expose you to different environmental conditions, as well as physically and emotionally demanding activities. It may create stress beyond what you might experience when on campus. Additionally, the access to and availability of healthcare practitioners, medications, and support networks might look different on study away.

You are responsible for identifying your needs, being proactive in researching what is available on-site, and considering resources and support you will need to be successful. This information is designed to help you think about and plan for your health and wellness needs as you prepare for your study away experience. We strongly encourage you to consult with your physician, mental health provider, other treating health care providers, study away advisor, program representative, and/or trusted contact in the Dean of Students Office.

Health Preparations

Review these 11 Steps to Health-wise Travel from the Laurie Hamre Center for Health & Wellness.
Health Forms: Many programs and universities will require a health form as part of your confirmation materials. Laurie Hamre Center for Health & Wellness will do study away physicals or can refer you to other physicians in the area. It is important to plan ahead to ensure you meet deadlines for the program or a visa appointment.
Immunization and Vaccination Requirements: Review travel considerations, prevention strategies, and recommended vaccinations for your destination(s) on the CDC Travelers’ Health website. Review information provided by your program or university. The Laurie Hamre Center for Health & Wellness on campus, as well as local travel clinics, can provide some vaccinations and travel health guidance.
Medications (Prescription or Over the Counter): Do not assume your medications will be available or allowed in your program location(s). Some U.S. medications are considered unlicensed or a controlled substance in other countries. Plan early if you require routine or prescription medications. Countries also have different rules for carrying medications across borders. Review the U.S. Department of State website for questions regarding specific medication rules at your destination. OnCall International Travel Assist can also advise about the availability and legality of your medication in your destination. Consider Mobility International USA’s recommendations for taking medications abroad.

Wellness

Health Insurance Coverage

Study away offers many opportunities for growth and exploration. However, travel and study in other countries always involves some elements of risk. The Center for Study Away urges students and families to discuss potential health and safety concerns, and then learn about the insurance coverage available on their programs.

All Macalester College students who participate on a study away program outside of the U.S. are required to have coverage from a comprehensive international insurance plan. This coverage must include medical care for illness and injury, emergency evacuation for medical or security reasons, and repatriation of remains. For all international study away programs, you are enrolled in the appropriate insurance plan by your program or Macalester (you do NOT have to enroll yourself), and the cost of the insurance is included as part of Macalester’s semester tuition (you are NOT charged separately).

The required insurance coverage is provided for you in one of the ways listed below:

Insurance Provided by Program

Some programs provide the required insurance as part of their program fees and will enroll you in a comprehensive insurance plan. Programs that offer this coverage include those run by American Councils, American University in Cairo, AMIDEAST, Augsburg, BADA, Carleton, CET, CIEE, DIS: Study Abroad in Scandinavia, Duke University, IAU, IES Abroad, IFSA, ISEP, Macalester: South African Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies, Middlebury College, Pitzer College, SIT Study Abroad, SRAS, University of Haifa, and the University of Minnesota. If you are participating in a non-approved program and are unsure about whether your program includes insurance, please contact [email protected] and we can confirm.

We strongly encourage you to review the coverage provided by your program with your family to ensure that it meets your needs and expectations.
Insurance Provided by Macalester
If your program or host institution does not offer the required insurance, Macalester College will provide this coverage for you during your study away program dates. The policy is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Group and brokered by Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk. The documents below outline the Zurich policy information and travel assistance services that are available through Zurich Travel Assist, your dedicated 24/7 travel assistance company. Should you require proof of insurance coverage, please contact your study away advisor or email [email protected] for a letter of verification.

All of the following documents will also be uploaded to your Macalester study away portal should you need to reference them easily in the future.
- - Macalester College Student Travel Insurance Benefit Highlights – Includes a quick overview of what is covered.
- - OnCall Mobile Assist Directions – contact OnCall for pre-departure and on-site support, and track your case and claim.
- - Macalester College Student Travel Insurance – ID Card – Includes the key information necessary should you need to open a claim.
- - Claims forms – please use the following forms to file for a refund of any covered expenses. Gallagher Global Assistance is available to assist with this process and can be contacted at [email protected].
    
    Medical Expense Claim Form – for covered medical expenses
    
    Trip Claim Form – for covered expenses related to trip cancellation, delay, or interruption
Domestic Programs

While domestic travel potentially poses different risks than international travel, it is still important to consider your insurance needs while participating in a program within the United States. Just as when you attend classes on campus at Macalester, you are expected to maintain appropriate health coverage while studying away on a domestic program. You should make sure that your insurance will pay for services in the location(s) where you will be studying.

It is important to review your insurance coverage with your family to confirm that your needs and expectations for insurance will be met while you study away.

Maintaining Coverage at Home

While studying away, you are enrolled in a health insurance plan, either through a program provider or Macalester College, which is included as part of your regular tuition fees. This coverage is valid only outside of your home-country and only for the duration of your program. Therefore, it is essential for you to maintain your home-country health insurance, even while abroad. This would ensure coverage for any incidents that occur before your departure and/or for any long-term care upon your (planned or unplanned) return.

If you are currently insured under Macalester’s domestic policy and wish to waive coverage for your term abroad, you will need to make arrangements with the Hamre Center for Health & Wellness, with the understanding that you are doing so at your own risk.

Coverage Beyond Program Dates

The international insurance policy provided by your program will typically only cover you during the official program dates. If you plan to travel before or after your program, we encourage you to secure additional international insurance coverage for any leisure travel outside the official program dates. You can select a policy of your choice. You are welcome to contact Gallagher Global Assistance at [email protected] to inquire about the possibility of extending your already provided coverage. You are also welcome to find a plan of your choosing. You may find this article on How to Find the Best Travel Insurance to be helpful. It includes a number of search engines available to help you compare coverage and costs between different policies.

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