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Top tips for a safe and fun study abroad experience
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(ARA) - Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences in a student's life. And, although most trips are free from trouble, for both students and their worried parents, it pays to be prepared.
"Planning ahead is crucial to making sure long-term international trips go smoothly," says Michael Kelly, president and CEO of On Call International -- the industry leader in the medical and travel assistance field. "The first thing both parents and students should do is contact their school's study abroad office to find out what type of support and resources are available for both the traveler and family back at home."
Kelly offers some tips to help students and their families prepare for a safe and fun study abroad experience:
* Students should apply early for their passports and any necessary visas. Parents should also make sure they have a valid passport in the event an emergency arises and they need to travel to their child's host country.
* Spend some time together researching the country (or countries) the student plans to visit. In addition to the fun stuff -- learning about the culture and making a list of must-visit landmarks -- find out if the State Department has issued any travel warnings or alerts to the country and educate yourself on security and crime in the region.
* Check with your health insurance provider to find out if a student's medical expenses will be covered out of the country. If medical and travel assistance programs are not covered by the school, purchase it on your own and make sure your student knows how to contact the assistance provider in the event of an emergency.
"On Call provides up to $1 million in medical evacuation/repatriation coverage, offers a 24/7 English-speaking nurse helpline service and provides critical medical monitoring if your student is hospitalized while away from home," says Kelly.
* If a student uses prescription medication, stock up on extras and find out the names of medications in the location they'll be traveling to. Medicines often have different names in different areas of the world, or may not be available.
* Parents should make sure they have power of attorney in case a student needs to be hospitalized. Any medical release forms should also be completed in advance so parents can be notified about their child's medical situation as quickly as possible.
* Talk to students about what behavior is appropriate and what could potentially land them in a foreign jail. Laws in other countries are often quite different from those in the U.S.
* Finally, make sure the student registers with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate before departure so their whereabouts are known in case of an emergency. Students can register on the State Department Web site.
For more information about traveling safely, visit www.OnCallInternational.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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