• 30
  Apr
  2010

• Three Essential Steps for Exchange Students Preparing to Visit the U.S.

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
  0 comments, add yours

If you are an international student planning to spend time in the U.S. as part of an exchange program, there are three steps you'll need to complete. These include preparing travel documents, familiarizing yourself with U.S. security standards, and purchasing exchange student health insurance.

To begin preparing travel documents, a great first step is to work with the school you will be studying at. They can help you secure your passport and visa. This is an important consideration to start thinking about when you first consider attending school as an exchange student, because processing these documents does not happen overnight. The incoming student department at the school you are visiting has the knowledge to make sure you get set up perfectly, and they will be happy to help you.

Next, you will want to get up to speed on U.S. travel security standards. Safety concerns have cause the U.S. to tighten its travel restrictions over the last decade, so there are certain items you will not be able to bring on board a plane. And you may want to prepare yourself for additional scrutiny as an incoming student from an international location. You can visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Web site to learn more about forbidden items and screening processes.

Third, most U.S. universities now require that new students (whether domestic or international) be able to show proof of medical insurance. Although you may have insurance in your home country, there's a good chance it will not cover you during your stay. Exchange student insurance will meet most schools' requirements, and it will also provide you with first class access to top quality medical care at an affordable rate during your stay.

• 29
  Apr
  2010

• Summer Price Increases Could Cancel Students’ Travel Plans

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
  0 comments, add yours

A recent feature on CNN.com reports that forecasts for summer 2010 airfare costs predict increases of up to 25%. For students, this increase coupled with other new fees on airlines, could make it too expensive to fly.

It seems everything on a flight now comes with an extra fee attached, right down to checking your bags at the ticket counter. All of the fees you now have to pay for what were once free services can really add up in a hurry.

As a student, you certainly do not have a lot of disposable income. So these small fee additions can put quite a dent in your bank account, and if you add a 25% price hike onto that total, well it may become totally cost-prohibitive for a student to fly.

While you cannot control these rate hikes, you can take actions such as finding additional ways to reach your end destination, such as taking a train or driving your car. Of course if international travel is in your plans, those options become less viable. In that case, your best option is likely to comb the web frequently to try and find special offers.

• 28
  Apr
  2010

• When Food Poisoning Strikes, Turn to International Student Health Insurance

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
  0 comments, add yours

There are many different injuries and illnesses that can strike students visiting international destinations. From passing flus and viruses around while being in close contract with other students to spraining ankles while participating in sports and competitive events, it's not uncommon to need medical attention during your trip. But one of the most frequent issues that may lead a student to use their international student health insurance policy is simple food poisoning.

One cause of food poisoning may be that food was not prepared at a proper temperature. This can lead to bacteria developing in your food, which will in turn make you sick. This is especially common for students doing missionary work in underdeveloped countries where residents simply do not have adequate cooking equipment.

A second reason is simply that people can get sick from eating foods they are not used to. Having a new food introduced to your stomach, especially if it is indigenous to another culture, can cause you to get ill.

When this problem surfaces, you'll be thankful you have international student health insurance. It covers you while you are overseas (which most employer-sponsored plans do not offer), so if you do need to visit the doctor or emergency room because of food poisoning or another illness, you can do so without incurring huge expenses.

• 26
  Apr
  2010

• Will International Travel Insurance Protect Students From Volcano Fallout?

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
  0 comments, add yours

We have all been fascinated by the story of volcanic ash stranding thousands of travelers in Europe. As you feel sympathy for these unfortunate travelers, you may also be planning a trip to or from Europe in the near future. If that's the case, you may be wondering whether another set of eruptions may occur from the volcano in the near future, and if so whether your international student travel insurance will protect your travel investment.

If you are unfamiliar with international travel insurance, it is a special type of insurance that offers you reimbursement in the event that you have to cancel a flight or you miss a connection. With travelers' hectic schedules, these seem to be more common occurrences, and since re-booking flights and hotel rooms can prove expensive, international travel insurance is a wise purchase.

If you were traveling through Europe and the volcano began erupting again, you could find yourself stranded just as the recent passengers were. This triggers many unwanted expenses like paying for already-booked hotel rooms and finding lodging in the area you're stuck in. But your travel insurance plan could offer relief.

Every plan will treat this situation differently, so you are advised to contact your international student travel insurance plan administrator for the official word. In many instances, if your policy was purchased prior to the initial eruptions, you will be covered under future recurrences. But to be certain, you should definitely reach out to a contact at the insurance company you purchased the plan from.