Create a “While Abroad” Plan With Your Healthcare Professionals 

• If you have pre-existing, ongoing, or long-term physical or mental health needs, now is the time to speak with your healthcare professional about creating a plan for managing your health needs and any necessary medication while you are abroad.

• Things to consider:
  • How will you get in touch with your doctor if needed?
  • Do you need to arrange to see a specialist or counselor while you are abroad?
  • Are there any precautions you should take or activities you should avoid?
  • All students should plan to continue to follow all public health recommendations and directives of their program and host country authorities.

Plan for Traveling With Medications

Be sure to consult with your physician and with International SOS (see below) about plans for obtaining any necessary prescription medication for your semester abroad; check Taking Medications Abroad on the Brown's Study Abroad Advising website for additional information.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

You must ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage for your particular needs and circumstances while abroad.

• Research health insurance options and learn what your insurance provider covers and requires prior to your departure. Brown provides study/travel abroad accident and sickness insurance coverage, at no additional cost to you; however, this coverage does not include routine medical care. You can review more information on this coverage below. 
• In some instances, you will be covered by more than one policy when you are studying abroad, either because the country mandates purchase of in-country insurance or because certain programs also provide international insurance.

Understand Your International SOS Coverage 

Brown offers health, safety, and security resources through our emergency assistance provider, International SOS. International SOS will be a valuable resource to you both before and during your international travel, but it is important to also consult with your primary health care professional before you depart. 

You may contact International SOS at 215-942-8478; Brown ID #11BSGC000031.

There are two areas of this supplementary coverage: 

1. International SOS Worldwide Assistance & Emergency Evacuation Services (ISOS) 

International SOS coverage is provided to you at no additional cost while traveling on a Brown-sponsored program.  Please note this coverage:

• Coincides with the dates of your study abroad program 
• Includes access to an unlimited number of mental health counseling sessions at no cost to you
• Includes real-time emergency medical, security, and travel assistance (including medical and security evacuation and repatriation)

As you make final preparations for your program, we recommend you use International SOS as a resource for pre-travel information and questions, including:

• Legality/availability of medication in your host country or other travel destinations; some medications available in the US may not be legal and/or available to refill overseas.
• Medical and mental health referrals and availability of specialists. You can arrange for referrals and appointments through International SOS before departing for your program. 

Standards of local medical care vary depending on your study abroad site. International SOS can help you navigate finding a referral and even place a guarantee of payment if you become sick or have an accident while abroad. 

2. Travel/Study Abroad Accident and Sickness Insurance Coverage 

Brown provides all study abroad students a travel/study abroad accident and sickness insurance policy at no additional cost. Please note this policy

• Is coordinated through International SOS. Students should contact International SOS at 215-942-8478 first for pre-travel advice, in-country-referrals, and to arrange for healthcare services while in their host country
• Covers accidents and sickness that arise during travel abroad; it is not for routine care (review the benefits and exclusions of the policy) 
• Is NOT designed to replace regular health insurance; you will not be able to waive the Brown student health insurance plan with this Accident/Sickness policy
• Offers additional coverage for unanticipated medical occurrences
• Includes access to an unlimited number of mental health counseling sessions at no cost to you
• Does not require an upfront copay or out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment or medication if arranged through International SOS
• Coincides with the dates of your study abroad program; you will need to make separate arrangements for additional coverage before or after your program.

Students are also strongly advised to download the International SOS Assistance App to access medical and security reports as well as country travel risk guides. It also has a check-in feature to use while traveling and enables you to contact International SOS directly through the App, including connecting with a medical or security professional.

Traveling Outside of Your Program Dates?

Consider purchasing a supplemental leisure coverage plan if you anticipate traveling before or after your study abroad program dates. Keep in mind that your Brown-provided Accident and Sickness policy is valid only during your program dates.   

Student Property Insurance

It is important for students to protect their personal property (laptops, phones, and other items), and it is recommended that students have personal property insurance, as Brown does not provide insurance coverage for these items. Most study abroad programs do not provide this coverage either. Students are responsible for securing such insurance if they want to cover their valuable personal property while studying abroad. Your family's homeowner's insurance or rental insurance may provide coverage, or you may purchase insurance for student-owned property.