Next semester I will be studying in Asia. My parents want all possible medical issues handled before I leave. Are they worrying too much?
The quick answer is that you are not worrying enough. Around 35,000 American students will be studying in Asia during this academic year. Preparing for student travel abroad is a maze of ‘what if’ questions. You have medical insurance, but you do not speak the local language and do not know where to find the nearest hospital. This situation means you did not properly plan in advance.
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when studying abroad: applying for a visa, booking flights, arranging accommodation and researching healthcare risks in your destination country. Medical care and facilities can vary widely, especially in Asia where hospitals range from third world to five star. This variation also reflects in costs, where you can be treated in a backwater hospital up-country for very little or a plush resort-type medical center that will cost thousands per night.
Medical insurance should be your first consideration when living overseas for any extended period of time. Some countries have public healthcare and benefit but most in Asia do not, especially for foreigners. It is strongly advisable to arrange health insurance for coverage abroad before you go. Many of the universities will advise on what type of coverage is recommended and where it is accepted. Many hospitals in Asia are operated like private corporations, profits are the reason they run and their prices will reflect that.
There are a few steps to take in finding the best deal for international travel and study. Find out what your parents are using, as a student you may get a discounted policy under the family name. If the trip is school sponsored, they may have options for health insurance coverage. One of the critical insurance options to have is emergency evacuation, so you are guaranteed to be flown home in a transport chair for reunion with your family or transfer to a stateside hospital. Use some of the comparison websites to check prices with major insurance companies, some will offer specific student travel-health packages. There are also international companies that tailor to studying abroad so compare their policies to domestic ones.
Then, there are vaccinations to consider, many countries actually require them before a visa is issued so do your homework. If you will be out of the urban areas malaria and dengue are recommended for most of Asia, you may also need hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid, check before you go. Your regular immunizations for the U.S. should be up-to-date before you depart.
If you are currently taking prescription medication you need to check if you can bring it with you. Foreign countries have different rules on meds and what is prescribed in one country maybe illegal in another. If this is the case, signed prescriptions and doctor’s letters should cover you. Much of Asia is very lax on what you can buy over the counter and medication prices are often a fraction of the cost in the west.
Studying abroad may sound exotic and alluring but it is not for everyone. Studies have found that students are 23 times more likely to need repatriation assistance for mental health conditions than business travelers.
Having all of your medical issues under control will give your parents peace-of-mind and allow you to get on the road worry free.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness… Mark Twain.
John Regan is a former Director of Sales for equity research.