Health & Safety

  • Interstudy has been devoted to its students and their personal safety for the last three decades. Our staff members are dedicated to the enhancement of the study abroad experience, and we work hard to prepare students for departure from the U.S. and arrival in the host country. We supply students with up-to-date pre-departure materials and an on-site orientation in which health and safety issues are addressed in detail. In case of emergency, we maintain steady communication with students' emergency contacts and home school advisers in the event that a student experiences a health or safety problem.

  • Commitment to Training

    Our staff members are trained in crisis management and regularly assist students, their parents, and home school study abroad advisers with questions or problems arising from all aspects of program enrollment. We have attended regional and national conferences on Health and Safety and we are committed to putting suggestions from these conferences into practice in our office. Interstudy continually updates our Emergency Action Plan, and we hold in depth debriefing sessions after all incidents, large or small.

  • Incident Tracking and Statistics

    Interstudy tracks all student incidents related to Health and Safety as suggested by the Forum on Education Abroad. Based on our tracking procedures, we are able to compile reports based on location and country to summarize the frequency and types of incidents that occur at our program locations. Please contact Emily Whalen at emily.whalen@Interstudy.org if you would like a copy of these reports.

  • In Case of Emergency

    Students are provided with clear instructions during both the Interstudy orientation and host institution orientation on what to do in an emergency situation. In case of emergency, Interstudy staff in the US, Ireland, the UK, and South Africa are all equipped with 24 hour contact numbers. Students, parents, and home school study abroad advisers are given these numbers to contact our staff when necessary.
  • Interstudy receives regular announcements from the State Department regarding the safety of Americans traveling around the world. Our staff members pass on any relevant warnings to students and discourage travel to locations as recommended. The U.S. Embassy and the State Department are our primary resources in analyzing the severity of a situation.
  • In the event of a critical emergency that could jeopardize the safety or well being of Interstudy students, Interstudy would resort to evacuation from the overseas program and appropriate financial remuneration would follow upon the students return to the United States.

  • Emergency Action Plan

    Interstudy believes that it is important to work closely with host institutions abroad to provide our students with comprehensive infrastructure, support, medical services, counseling, evacuation procedures, and other necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students at all times. Interstudy reviews and updates its Emergency Action Plan on a continual basis. View the Interstudy Emergency Action Plan.
  • It is equally important that Interstudy maintain a close relationship with students' home institutions. We keep our records up to date with our partner institutions' after hours emergency protocols. If you have an update to your institution's Emergency Action Plan or after hours contact information, please email Emily Whalen at emily.whalen@Interstudy.org.

  • Medical Insurance Coverage

    All Interstudy students are provided full international medical insurance coverage for the duration of their time abroad. Students will be given the option of extending their insurance if they decide to stay abroad beyond the end date of their program. Dental insurance is not provided. Students are also encouraged to maintain U.S. medical insurance while they are abroad.

  • Code of Conduct

    All Interstudy students are obligated to behave in a responsible and lawful way throughout their time abroad. Students are subject to the laws and regulations of the host country in addition to the rules and regulations of both their home and host institutions. Interstudy further requires that students agree to and sign its Code of Conduct in order to be accepted into a program abroad. View the Interstudy Code of Conduct.

  • On-Site Orientation

    Interstudy provides on-site orientations to assist students in adjusting to cultural differences, in getting to know their new surroundings, and in understanding the differences in the educational system of the host country. Interstudy orientations offer a chance for students to meet the on-site staff who are there to help students understand the various resources available to them at their host institution and in their host city. On-site staff will advise students on how to navigate course registration, review rules and regulations, and get students acquainted with their accommodations, the host institution campus, and the local transportation systems. The Interstudy orientation also covers health and safety issues on and off campus.
  • Once students arrive on-campus, they are briefed on how to conduct themselves while they are in a different country and what stereotypes to avoid in order to reduce the risks of entering into a potentially dangerous or unwanted situation. Students learn about resources such as the Campus Protection Services, Student Security Escort Services, and the Campus Police.

  • Evaluations: Student Feedback on Health and Safety

    Interstudy asks students to complete a program evaluation at the end of their semester abroad. We specifically ask students to contribute to Interstudy's collection of information on health and safety. The evaluations assist us in improving our programs by helping address student concerns at the respective program/country locations. Interstudy staff members conduct regular site visits to all program locations as well, ensuring facilities are well maintained and suitable for visiting students.