Health & Safety

While abroad, students are responsible for all of their own actions and personal safety. Students are expected to represent The New School in a professional and respectable manner while abroad, and must continue to adhere to The New School’s Code of Conduct.

Students must also adhere to the host university/institution’s policies and procedures, including their student code of conduct, any academic policies, and safety procedures.

Additionally, all students must comply with local and national laws of the city and country where they are studying, as well as any locations they travel to during their study abroad program.

All students are encouraged to compile phone numbers for the contacts listed below (save them to your cell phone and keep hard copies):

• International RA/housing advisor or host family
• Emergency contact person at host institution
• Local U.S. embassy or your home country’s embassy in the host country
• Local law enforcement/emergency number in host country
• On Call (1.603.952.2072 — call collect)
• Health insurance provider and primary care/family physician

Students can also contact The New School Study Abroad at [email protected] with any concerns during travel.

The New School requires that all students maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage in their study abroad destination country. Please review Health Insurance Information for Study Abroad and Short-Term Travel for more details.

Health Insurance
It is the student’s responsibility to determine which plan (or combination of plans) will best meet their health needs and provide sufficient coverage in their country of study. If a parent or other third party is responsible for paying the student’s tuition and fees, it is important that this information be shared with them to ensure the student is appropriately insured. Some examples of comprehensive coverage include:

• Worldwide coverage provided by The New School Student Health Insurance Plan
• Coverage provided by an existing personal health plan (e.g., Blue Cross, Cigna, GHI, etc.)
• Coverage offered or mandated by a study abroad program
• Supplemental coverage provided by a travel health insurance plan (in addition to primary insurance coverage)

Students are encouraged to act on the following tips to maintain their health and safety for study abroad.

Before Departure

• Speak with your doctor regarding any health concerns.
• Speak with Student Health Services for health and wellness support information.
• If you have a disability concern, contact Student Disability Services for disability accommodation support information.
• Pack sufficient quantities of any prescription medications you take to last during your time abroad.
• Pack a small first aid kit of over-the-counter medicines and supplies such as:
  • Adhesive bandages
  • Antibacterial ointment 
  • Pain reliever
  • Sunscreen
  • Anti-diarrhea medication
  • Contraceptives

Having these items on hand will help you deal with minor illnesses and other health needs. If you prefer certain brand-name products, be sure to bring them with you. While you will be able to purchase drugstore items abroad, you may not be able to find U.S. brands in other countries.

While Abroad

• Get enough rest. Recovering from jet lag can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Help yourself out by establishing a regular sleep/wake schedule and try to stick with it.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration is a serious travel issue that can cause complications. Make sure you drink plenty of bottled water or other non-caffeinated/non-carbonated fluid each day.
• Eat wisely. Of course you’ll want to sample the local fare, but use common sense when selecting eating establishments. Be careful about eating raw foods, since food that has not been stored or cooked properly can make you sick.
• Be physically active. Getting physical exercise each day, whether it’s walking to explore your new city or dancing at a concert, will help you balance the intellectual and emotional demands of your new experience.
• Manage your stress. Transitioning to a new culture, with all the excitement of a new language, new people, and new surroundings, on top of an academic workload can be overwhelming. Take time to relax and unwind each day. Allow yourself to experience the ups and downs of emotional adjustment and be sure to connect with your support system.
• Be aware of an English-speaking hospital (if necessary) in your host country.

In addition to obtaining health insurance coverage, students should make sure they have appropriate travel emergency protection services for their travel. The New School provides students with the emergency services programs described below.

On Call International Emergency Services
All New School students, staff, faculty, or other agents who travel abroad through The New School are automatically enrolled in On Call, a travel risk management and travel assistance service. There are no additional fees for use of these services. On Call can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for assistance with emergency situations. On Call can provide services including emergency health, safety, and security advice; connect students to credentialed medical providers; arrange for medical supplies or equipment; set up transportation and evacuation if local care is inadequate or safety is at risk; and provide legal assistance or travel advice regarding the loss of travel documents. 

Emergency medical evacuation services are not meant to be used in lieu of local emergency services, such as an ambulance requested through emergency 911 telephone assistance. If the condition is an emergency, you should immediately go to the nearest physician or hospital without delay and then contact the 24-hour emergency helpline. On Call will then take the appropriate action to assist you and monitor your care until the situation is resolved.

Students can contact On Call in the following ways:

• Call (collect) 1.603.952.2072
• Email [email protected]
• Text 1.603.945.0103 

Further information is provided to students in their pre-departure information. Please note that On Call does not provide comprehensive health insurance coverage and is available for emergency assistance only.

UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Services
The university Student Health Insurance Plan provides worldwide travel assistance services to New School students studying or traveling abroad who are enrolled in the plan and their dependents through UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Services. The requirements to receive these services are as follows:

• International students, insured spouses, and insured minor children are eligible to receive UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Services, except in their home country.
• Domestic students, insured spouses, and insured minor children are eligible for UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Services when 100 miles or more away from their campus address, 100 miles or more away from their permanent home address, or while participating in a study abroad program.
• All services must be arranged and provided by UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Services. Any services not arranged by Global Emergency Services will not be considered for payment.

Please review the UnitedHealthcare Global brochure, which includes service descriptions as well as program exclusions and limitations. Emergency medical evacuation services are not meant to be used in lieu of local emergency services, such as an ambulance requested through emergency 911 telephone assistance. If the condition is an emergency, you should immediately go to the nearest physician or hospital without delay and then contact the 24-hour Emergency Response Center. UnitedHealthcare Global will then take the appropriate action to assist you and monitor your care until the situation is resolved. To access service, please call: 

• 800.527.0218 toll-free within the United States
• 410.453.6330 collect outside the United States 

Students should check to see if any medical exams or vaccinations are required for travel to their study abroad destination. Travel guidelines can be found on the Center for Disease Control Travel website. Additional guidelines may be noted on the host country’s embassy website.

All students are responsible for completing any medical exams and receiving any vaccinations required by the host country and institution for travel or visa application approval.

Students who are studying abroad with a New School program that requires evidence of pre-departure completion of medical exams or vaccinations must comply with program requirements in order to receive approval to participate.

The New School Student Health Insurance Plan and On Call International do not insure a student’s personal property. For personal property protection of valuables (ex. artwork, electronics, musical instruments, etc.), students are encouraged to purchase personal property insurance for their time abroad. There are a few ways to purchase personal property insurance coverage.

Renters/Homeowners Insurance
Often homeowners or renters insurance companies offer personal property protection policies that are included in or can be added to an existing policy. If you (or your family) have a renters or homeowners insurance policy, the insurance coverage usually extends to specific equipment, electronics, or valuables defined by the terms named in the policy. Check with your insurance provider regarding the coverage details and any deductible or claims requirements.

Purchase Personal Property Insurance
Students who wish to purchase their own personal property insurance plans are encouraged to research reputable companies to find a plan that is right for them. The New School is not able to provide insurance plan advising and does not endorse or recommend any particular company. The following companies may be helpful as you search for a plan to meet your needs.

• College Student Insurance
• College Plus Insurance, Worth Ave. Group
• Gallagher Student Insurance
• The Gateway Plans
• Global Health Insurance
• Travelers’ Renters Personal Property Coverage

• Avoid walking in unfamiliar areas alone or at night, and never accept rides from strangers.
• Stay in touch with the staff of your program/partner institution.
• Be careful about divulging information about yourself and your program to strangers.
• Be aware of the people and circumstances around you and pay attention to your instincts.
• Do not leave your bags unattended and do not transport a package or suitcase for anyone.
• Be careful with money in public; a money belt worn under your shirt or pants will allow you to keep your passport, money, and credit cards on your person at all times.
• Keep copies of your credit cards, passport, and other important documents in a secure place to expedite cancellation and replacement in the event that they are lost or stolen.
• Do not agree to watch a stranger’s belongings for them.

AlertTraveler
All students enrolled at The New School are encouraged to download the AlertTraveler app to their mobile devices once they have registered for study abroad. This mobile app has important international travel information and will send students travel and safety alert notices for their study destination. While students are abroad, The New School may also contact them through the app regarding important travel alerts, and students can also contact the university through the app, if necessary. Further information about the app is provided to students before departure for their study abroad program.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. International students should ask their home country’s consulate about similar services that are available.