International Education

Academic Affairs Division

Health and Safety

Health

Students should assess and communicate their specific health requirements to their Campus Study Abroad office so that an early determination can be made about the suitability of a particular study abroad program and what accommodations will be necessary. The Centers for Disease Control website identifies vaccinations that are recommended for travel to different regions of the world. Students should obtain the necessary vaccinations by visiting their physicians or on-campus health clinic at least six weeks prior to their trip. Students should also verify their health insurance covers them while they are abroad. Additional study abroad insurance coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation should also be secured.

Safety

All students studying abroad on University System of Georgia programs are required to have study abroad insurance. Students should verify with their insurance provider that their health insurance covers them while they are abroad, and at the same levels as when they are at home. Additional study abroad insurance may be obtained to cover sickness, accidents, emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains while abroad. Students may take advantage of a System-wide policy for these purposes and should contact their Campus Study Abroad office for details of this policy or to determine whether insurance may be offered as part of their study abroad program.

The issue of safety abroad is important because students will be visiting unfamiliar environments. The State Department publication, A Safe Trip Abroad, provides many useful tips for safety abroad and provides travel tips for different regions of the world. Students should also review the Department of State Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets for a list of countries that have been deemed too dangerous for travel by U.S. citizens and for information on entry requirements, medical facilities, crime, driving conditions, criminal penalties for drug use and the location of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for all countries.

Additional Links and Resources