Your Health and Well-Being Matter

All students traveling abroad for academic purposes are automatically enrolled in medical and emergency international supplemental insurance through CHUBB ACE American Insurance Company as part of cost of the program. However, students are required to maintain their primary health insurance when studying abroad, whether that is purchased through Dickinson or independently.  Services or treatments not covered by the CHUBB global medical plan are the responsibility of the person who incurs them. 

Check your current insurance policy to see if it covers you outside your home country. Even if your current policy covers you abroad, you may have to pay for medical treatment upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement within a certain timeframe. 

Students can access the CHUBB ACE Summary of Benefits and a Claim Form in their Dickinson application portal after they’ve been accepted to study off campus. 

Students are covered through the duration of their program, and 7 days before or after official program dates. This also covers independent travel for the period between the official start and end of the program, except to locations designated as war risk countries by our insurance provider. If you elect to extend your travel beyond the policy term, you may purchase additional insurance by contacting Tim Cummons at tcummons@rcmd.com or (800) 346-4075 ext 1452. 

PLEASE NOTE: The following countries are currently listed on the War Risk list of our insurance provider (list accurate at time of publishing): Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chechnya, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, Algeria, Burkino Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Guinea, India (Jammu & Kashmir), Russia, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Thailand (Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala Provinces)

Students are not covered by Dickinson for personal liability, including the loss or theft of personal property. Each program participant is responsible for purchasing adequate coverage for the loss or theft of cell phones, laptops, and other items of value.  Check first to see whether the homeowner’s insurance of your parents/guardian will cover personal liability while overseas. Normally, a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss or theft will be required by the insurer before any claim is considered. 

Students studying abroad are covered by Dickinson's global medical and travel security assistance through International SOS, which offers up-to-date information, including, vaccination requirements, medications, and medical and health care for more than 200 countries. Download the International SOS app and log in with your Member ID. 

Students can access the International SOS Member ID in their Dickinson application portal after they have been accepted to study off campus. Note: Family members can also download the International SOS app.

The app allows you to: 

• Quick dial the nearest International SOS Assistance Center for help in an emergency, or any advice about your health or safety. 

• View up-to-date medical and security alerts about the location you’re in or traveling to. That way, you always know what’s going on around the world and can change plans quickly, if needed.  

• Receive essential medical and security advice and information about your destination from a trusted expert. 

• Access medical and security information on over 200 countries worldwide.  

If you are prescribed medication that you will need to access while abroad, contact International SOS for guidance as there may be barriers or restrictions depending on the medication and country. You should also consult your primary health insurance provider to understand barriers or restrictions specific to your insurance plan. Because it is illegal to mail medication to another country, you must prepare in advance to take enough medication for your program's duration or ensure it’s possible to obtain medication in your host country.  

Tip: Pack all medications in your carry-on luggage in its original packaging. You should also bring a medical report/prescription from your doctor (on letterhead). 

Dickinson College and the Center for Global Study and Engagement are deeply committed to creating accessible and inclusive off-campus opportunities, but we cannot guarantee specific accommodations and support will be available at all of our program locations around the world. Each country and program have their own educational accommodation protocols. The accommodation(s) you receive at Dickinson are not guaranteed, and if they are available, may not look the same as they do at Dickinson.

Even if you previously discussed the possibility of accessing accommodations aboard, we strongly encourage you to disclose your accommodations with the CGSE and your on-site staff after acceptance. Students approved to receive accommodations at Dickinson will receive a study abroad letter of accommodations via email from Access and Disability Services (ADS). It is your responsibility to share this letter with the appropriate office or on-site staff if you plan to use any or all of the accommodations listed in your letter. If you have any questions about how to make this request, please contact your education abroad advisor.  

Your program staff will help you access healthcare, if needed, while you are abroad, but it’s important to understand that services and treatments may be different and it is possible that some services will not be available in your program location. If you require ongoing medical care abroad, work with your current health care providers before you leave to develop a plan. The International SOS medical professionals are also available to offer guidance. 

Depending on where you are studying and for how long, you may be required to pay for treatment at the time of service and seek reimbursement afterward from your U.S. health insurance provider or from Dickinson’s CHUBB ACE policy. ISOS can sometimes assist in placing a guarantee of payment, but this is not applicable for all countries or providers. 

It is strongly recommended that you consult your counselor or psychiatrist when considering study abroad to develop a plan to access medication and possibly continue care virtually while you are abroad. Anticipate that you will experience various states of excitement and frustration related to culture shock as you establish a new routine and become accustomed to new surroundings which can exacerbate underlying conditions. 

Students are encouraged to seek professional assistance and inform your program director if you need mental health support abroad. English-speaking counseling services abroad may be limited, and the terms of care will be different from here in the U.S. Students can utilize Dickinson’s MySSP support service, which is available 24, even if they are participating in off-campus study

If you are a US citizen, we recommend enrolling in the US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) after confirming your travel itinerary. You should do this each time you travel to a new destination outside of your main program location if you are planning to travel independently.  

Dickinson's Travel Health Clinic is designed to provide preventive measures to minimize the risk of illness while students are studying abroad. To learn more about the services they provide, visit their website.