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Essential Overseas Information - Health and Safety

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Health Insurance Coverage

As a participant in the Bing Overseas Studies Program, you are required to have medical insurance that includes:

  • international coverage for medical treatment
  • medical evacuation
  • repatriation of remains

During the Program

On most quarter-length programs, a first (non-emergency) visit to a local doctor is paid for by the program staff. Insurance coverage is crucial and required as the following visits are at your own expense:

  • emergency care
  • referrals to specialists
  • any other additional visits

You will be provided with information about local medical facilities during onsite orientation.

Insurance Providers and Claims

You may be covered by your family’s medical insurance plan, by Cardinal Care (Stanford’s default health insurance, available through the Vaden Health Center or through some other insurance arrangement.

NOTE: Generally you will have to pay for medical services at the time you receive them and later claim reimbursement from your insurance provider. Make sure that you save all receipts and paperwork related to your treatment to support any claims.

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Cardinal Care

Stanford’s student health insurance provides complete coverage. Autumn quarter coverage begins on September 1. You will be enrolled automatically in this plan unless you waive it via Axess. You may also enroll in the plan for the time that you are a registered student abroad, even if you were not previously enrolled in the plan.

Other Health Care Providers

If you are covered under another insurance policy, check your policy to ascertain that it includes:

  1. international coverage
  2. medical evacuation
  3. repatriation of remains

The latter two clauses may not be part of your regular policy, and may have to be purchased as a supplement (e.g., by buying an International Student ID Card (ISIC) and paying a small fee for the supplemental coverage.) ISIC cards can be purchased on campus at the Overseas Resource Center in the Bechtel International Center.

Coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains pays for transport to your home country in case of severe illness, injury, or death.

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Health Planning and Risks

Prescriptions

Fill all your prescriptions before you leave and make sure you bring a sufficient supply to last during your time overseas. Discuss this in advance with your doctor and insurance provider before you go. You cannot have prescription medications mailed to you overseas. Be sure to take a copy of the full prescription drug name with you in your hand luggage in case your medication is lost, stolen, or expires.

Vaccinations

Make an appointment with the on-campus Vaden Health Center Travel Clinic at (650) 498-2336 ext. 1 or your personal doctor to discuss any health concerns you may have before going abroad. Plan to do this early, because you may choose to have immunizations that need to be administered several weeks before you leave in order to be effective.

Check with the Travel Clinic in Vaden or the Traveler's Health section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website about individual requirements for countries you will be visiting.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Lack of adequate protection in situations where you could contract a sexually transmitted disease can lead to serious complications. If you think that you may have contracted an STD, see a doctor recommended by your program. Do not put this visit off because you are unsure or because you are embarrassed; the doctor has treated such problems before.

Contraception

Condoms, diaphragms, and other contraceptive devices may be difficult to obtain overseas. The program staff and/or local doctor can assist you in finding appropriate information. Any discussion with the staff will be confidential.

Medic Alert

If you have specific allergies which are debilitating or life-threatening, or have a medical condition that is not immediately apparent or easily identifiable (such as diabetes, allergies to drugs, epilepsy, etc.), wear a Medic Alert bracelet obtained from the Medic Alert Foundation, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95382-2018; (800) 432-5378 or http://www.medicalert.org. Notify the director of your program, the office administrator, and friends traveling with you.

Psychological Considerations

If you have had psychological difficulties currently or in the past, talk with someone at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Vaden Health Service before deciding to study abroad. Consultation with CAPS is confidential, unless you specifically ask that Overseas Studies be alerted. You can reach CAPS 24-hours a day at (650) 723-3785.

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Safety and Security

General Information

The BOSP overseas staff are familiar with Stanford University’s safety and security policies. In addition, they keep a close watch on the situation in their specific location. Their knowledge of locale and long experience in hosting Stanford students overseas make them an excellent source of advice on behaviors you may want to avoid and situations in which you should be careful. Do not hesitate to call on them for information.

The US State Department’s website (see links below) is a resource for information on issues related to US citizens traveling internationally.

In compliance with Stanford’s International Travel Policy, BOSP will not send undergraduate students to countries for which the State Department has issued a Travel Warning. This applies to program locations as well as to field trip destinations.

US State Department Website

Clery Reports for Overseas Centers

In full compliance with the 1998 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, Stanford University’s Bing Overseas Studies Program has provided the most recent crime statistics reports for each of its overseas centers.  During on-site orientation at each of our centers, overseas staff will inform the students of the various resources offered by local law enforcement and emergency services.  The centers also share important crime awareness tips to encourage students to be aware of their responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

 

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Emergency Situations

All programs arrange a “telephone tree” so that any urgent messages from the director can reach all students. You will receive a copy of an emergency card, which includes phone numbers of the program location and staff members. Emergency procedures will be explained to you during onsite orientation.

If your physical safety is threatened and you have not been able to reach your director or the local police in your host country, call the Stanford Operator, (650) 723-2300, and they will connect you to the appropriate University office.

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