• 24
  Feb
  2010

• Canadian Students Survive Capsized Ship

  
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You may have heard an amazing story about a group of students traveling internationally last week. Canadian students studying abroad on a boat were put into grave danger as their boat capsized. Thankfully all 64 of the students, teachers, and crew were unharmed, but had they been injured, they'd have been wise to invest in study abroad insurance.

While you could certainly never foresee your study abroad experience taking the turn that these students encountered, you can still prepare yourself from a general perspective. Study abroad insurance will cover expenses arising from injuries or illnesses that occur during your experience, even if they happen as a result of something as unpredictable as a boat sinking.

Without insurance coverage, the cost of getting medical attention can be extremely high. Whether for emergencies or routine care, doctor and hospital visits can easily rack up bills into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And as a student, you likely don't have much disposable income to pay these expenses out of pocket.

But with study abroad insurance, you won't need to. You can get the medical care you need at very affordable rates. So whether you're hurt on a boat going underwater or you're simply feeling a bit under the weather, you'll have access to reasonably-priced healthcare.

• 22
  Feb
  2010

• Who Should Buy International Student Insurance?

  
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Perhaps you have heard of international student insurance but you're not sure if you need it or not. You may think that because you are studying in a certain country, because you already have coverage in your native country, or because you will only be in the country a short period of time you don't need it. Here are some facts that will help you better understand who needs international student insurance.

Regardless of what country you're in, it's always a good idea to buy a special insurance policy for that country. Even if you have a great insurance policy in your home country, that coverage will probably not be recognized in the nation you're visiting. So you will be considered to be uninsured during your stay, which could prove to be very expensive if you need to visit the doctor or a hospital.

Even if your stay is just a semester, you could still find yourself needing medical attention. Since you will be in a new environment, you will be more likely to get sick. You'll be around new groups of people, and environments like colleges and universities tend to be breeding grounds for germs as students intermingle. And the stress of your studies and getting acclimated to your new surroundings could also make you ill. If you do need to see a doctor because you're sick, you definitely don't want to do so without insurance.

No matter how long you're studying abroad, where you're studying at, or what kind of insurance you have at home, it's always a good idea to buy international student insurance before studying abroad. The small amount of money you spend in the short term to purchase the policy could lead to huge savings in the long run on actual medical care.

• 19
  Feb
  2010

• Studying in Spain - A Checklist for Exchange Students

  
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Spain is a popular study abroad destination for many American students. The country offers a rich cultural history that students are excited to explore, and many U.S. students have taken Spanish since high school, so they find it easier to communicate in Spain than in many other potential study abroad destinations. If you're considering traveling to Spain, here's a checklist of what'll need to take care of, including housing, study abroad insurance, and course registration.

You'll need to decide on your housing accommodations for the semester you spend abroad. Your university will offer housing, especially if you're studying abroad through a program in which your school has a campus in Spain or you're participating in an exchange program. This will allow you to stay in an apartment by yourself or with other students, or your university may recruit host families that you can stay with. This option gives you a great chance to get acquainted with the country with your host family acting as your cultural and geographic guides. You can also try finding your own apartment or house to live in, through this could be more difficult and more expensive.

Next, you'll want to be sure you have some kind of medical insurance. Your current plan probably only works in your home country, so you can either choose the university's international insurance plan, or you can purchase a study abroad insurance program from an independent insurer. This is often a cheaper and more convenient option.

Finally, you'll need to determine your course schedule. Your school may have a predefined curriculum for you to study during your semester abroad, or you may have more freedom choosing your schedule. It's always a good idea to take some courses that relate to Spanish history or culture while studying abroad, so that you may even further immerse yourself in the experience. Follow these steps and you'll be sure to get the most out of your stud abroad experience.

• 17
  Feb
  2010

• Study Abroad Students Need Insurance

  
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Are you considering spending the summer or fall studying abroad? This popular option can be a life-changing experience, as you gain valuable insight into other cultures. Be certain that as you prepare to enlighten and enrich yourself with this exciting challenge, your preparation checklist includes study abroad insurance.

Study abroad insurance makes certain that if you get ill or injured while in another country for academic purposes, you will still have the same access to great, affordable healthcare you would have in your home country. Without it, you could face expensive bills that could take months to pay off.

You see, the healthcare coverage you have in your home country probably doesn't cover injuries and illnesses that occur overseas. So if you have to visit the doctor, the emergency room, or the hospital, you will have to pay for the expenses completely out of pocket. And since you are used to paying co-pays for doctor's visits, you likely don't realize that the true, uninsured cost of a visit can be $200 just for a basic visit.

With study abroad insurance, you'll only pay a fraction of the costs incurred by your medical needs - just like you would at home. Office visits, hospital visits, and prescriptions are all covered. So while you complete your international study adventure, you can focus on the experience at hand; not the worry of trying to pay for expensive medical bills.