Health and Study Abroad

Pre-Trip Health Requirements

What are the health-related requirements for a semester abroad?

All admitted study abroad participants are required to complete a "Student Health and Wellness" Questionnaire. Once your responses are received, a nurse will review your health history and itinerary, and provide you with up-to-date information about the health conditions at your destination and pre-travel advice on immunization and medication requirements and recommendations. The nurse will also review destination-specific travel tips and cultural considerations.

Please note that outstanding college vaccine requirements must be complete or in the process of completion prior to travel abroad.

What type of information will ​​​​​be needed to complete the Questionnaire?

In order to advise you regarding health planning, Worth will need the following:

1. Detailed itinerary with length of stay, specific destinations, and excursions
2. Up-to-date copy of vaccinations/immunizations/shots
3. Record of current medications with names and doses

How is this step different from a Travel Health Consultation? 

Once the Worth Health Center reviews your response to the Student Health and Wellness Questionnaire, they can notify you if an in-person travel health consultation will be required. 

In-person consultations are not always required but can be necessary for students with specific study abroad locations or medical circumstances. Depending on your needs, the consultation may include travel vaccinations and/or program-required physical exam forms.

Ideally appointments for a travel health consult should be made at least six weeks in advance of travel. Schedule early since many times follow up visits and vaccine appointments are necessary. Most vaccines require several weeks to take effect, and some can’t be given at the same time. So, it’s best to plan your first visit early.  Be aware that the Worth Health Center is closed over the summer (late-May to late-August).

What if my program requires health forms be completed?

By appointment, students can arrange for a physical (for visas or other purposes) or to have additional health forms completed that may be required by their study abroad programs.  Appointments should be made as early as possible to avoid delays. Be aware that the Worth Health Center is closed over the summer (late-May to late-August).

Vaccines

How do I get the recommended vaccines?

A travel health nurse at Worth will help to navigate the best location to obtain vaccines. Some vaccines can be given on-campus. You may be referred to an off-site clinic to receive other vaccines. Prescriptions (such as malaria prophylaxis or antibiotics) can be given to you or sent to a pharmacy.

Does insurance cover the cost of vaccines?

Most insurance companies will cover childhood vaccines and routine boosters. Travel-specific vaccines are not typically covered. You can call your insurance company to find out specific details. These vaccines can be quite expensive and often require a series of multiple injections (for example: the rabies series costs nearly $1,000).

Can Swarthmore cover the cost of my vaccines and other medical expenses?

You are responsible for any out-of-pocket healthcare related expenses, including vaccines and/or medications required to participate in your program.  In general,  it is important when planning to remember that some expenses associated with your program will be your responsibility, including costs for medical requirements to attend your program.  

Insurance

Will I have health insurance during study abroad?

All students traveling on approved Global Engagement programs will be enrolled with an emergency medical service.

In the case that a student's study abroad program offers its own insurance coverage that is equal to International SOS, the student will then not be enrolled. (Students will not be enrolled if studying abroad through: AMIDEAST, AKP, IFSA Butler, Middlebury, Sarah Lawrence, SIT/IHP, or the Swedish Program.)

GEO will enroll students in it or their programs' insurance automatically (if students have completed all pre-departure requirements) before the start of the semester abroad. Students do not need to register for insurance abroad on their own.

How can I provide proof of coverage?

If you are covered by Swarthmore College's International SOS plan, you can obtain a proof of insurance letter from GEO.

What if I'm planning to travel before/after my program?

Students are responsible for obtaining their own coverage for periods before or after the official enrollment dates of their program. If you are traveling before or after the dates of your program, you must make sure that you have health insurance and emergency travel insurance that will cover you at your own cost.

What if additional insurance is required by my program?

In some cases, students will be required to purchase national health insurance plans for their study abroad country. The Global Engagement Office (GEO) will cover those costs for locations where this might be relevant. 

Are there any insurance limitations or exclusions?

Students should carefully review the policy, to familiarize themselves with exclusions pertaining to high risk activities such as certain forms of mountaineering where ropes or guides are normally used, hang gliding, sky diving, parasailing, bungee jumping, and racing (horse, auto, motorcycle). There are also specific coverage limits regarding charges due to pre-exisiting conditions.

Since I'll be insured while abroad, can I give up my usual insurance during that semester?

NO. Students are expected to remain on the insurance plan they would have if they are in their home country or at Swarthmore. This additional insurance may be needed if students' circumstances change.

Medications Abroad

For information on medications abroad, visit GEO's Global Health and Safety page.

Mental Health 

Can I meet regularly with a counselor while I am studying abroad?

Living abroad represents many new challenges as well as changes to familiar routines.  If you currently see a counselor, it is extremely important to discuss your plans to study or live abroad. Ask your current counselor for advice about locating ongoing therapy and/or access to medication at your abroad site.  Do not assume that you will have access to the same level of availability of services and access to specific medications that you have in the United States.  Both CAPS and staff of the Worth Health Center can help you with questions concerning your physical and mental health needs while abroad.  

Everyone should keep in mind that cultural adjustment is a normal part of living abroad.  However, if your period of adjustment begins to effect your relationships, your academic work, or your daily life, you should seek to talk to a counselor. 

Will my study abroad site offer mental health services?

You should also make your counseling needs known to your host program or university. Please note that appropriate mental health professionals may not be available at all study abroad locations.  Consult with your study abroad program or university in advance about what services will be available.  Students covered by the College's CISI travel policy can explore access to counselors that have been identified by CISI by logging in to the CISI website.

Can I access CAPS while studying abroad?

CAPS does not offer distance counseling or psychotherapy to students while studying abroad (due to state licensure laws).  However, while away from campus, you do have access to the CAPS 24/7 on-call phone service: 610-328-7768.

In the event of an acute mental health concern, CAPS may provide consultation services to established CAPS clients in coordination with the Global Engagement Office and the host program.  In most cases, CAPS consultation would be auxiliary to any assessment or evaluation that the host program might require, and would not serve a primary diagnostic or evaluative function. 

Can I use Talkspace while overseas?

You can also access Talkspace while abroad.  Swarthmore partners with Talkspace to provide convenient, personal, and professional online messaging therapy year-round.  With Talkspace, all Swarthmore students can regularly send unlimited text, audio, and video messages to a dedicated licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. Talkspace is confidential and secure. There are no fees for Swarthmore students to use Talkspace.