Student safety and well-being is a top priority for Saint Mary’s College.  Students who are accepted to a Saint Mary’s Study Abroad program will attend pre-departure orientations to learn about health and safety measures, and will be required to adhere to the College health and safety protocols in place at the time of study abroad. Students will also receive in-depth information on their program location before departure, as well as on-site orientations upon arrival to the host country.

Students are expected to pay attention to the current health conditions of the global region to which they are traveling, and are given tools to evaluate and understand risks through pre-departure orientations. All students will be required to sign a Participation Agreement in order to study abroad.  

What happens if I have an emergency while abroad? 

  1. If a student has an emergency while abroad, they should first contact local emergency services (police, fire department) or go immediately to the nearest physician or hospital.   Students can find the 911-equivalent in each country they travel to at this site.  
  2. The student should then contact their on-site contact in the country where they are staying. 
  3. In the case of medical issues, the student should contact GeoBlue (insurance included with each program, see below) at the Medical Assistance number on their GeoBlue insurance card. GeoBlue will then take the appropriate action to assist and monitor the medical care until the situation is resolved.
  4. Students are then required to contact Saint Mary’s College campus safety at 574-284-5000, so that the Saint Mary’s community can follow up and provide continued support to the student.

Is it safe to study abroad? 

There are many levels of safety precautions in place for Study Abroad. 

  • The college policy is that students are allowed to study abroad in countries with a Department of State Advisory Level of Level 2 or lower.  
  • Students are directed to review Department of State Advisory Levels for the countries where they will travel. The latest information about travel health notices can be found on the CDC Travel Health Notices website.  The CDC also provides Recommendations for International Travel. 
  • All Saint Mary’s study abroad programs are with institutions with whom Saint Mary’s college has a partnership, or are led by Saint Mary’s faculty.  
  • Students receive pre-departure Health and Safety orientations and information about their on-site emergency contacts.
  • Saint Mary’s College provides GeoBlue health insurance for all students who study abroad, as well as Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation Insurance. 
  • Students are required to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for their study abroad program, and are recommended to add additional trips they take to their STEP account.  

What should I do if I'm planning my own travel?

  • Students should review the safety of the location where they are considering travel using the Department of State Advisory Levels.
  • Students should discuss their travel plans with their loved ones to make sure others know where they are going and how they can be contacted.
  • Students should register their trip with Saint Mary's College through their Via study abroad account.
  • Students should enroll their trips with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive government notifications about the locations where they are traveling.
  • Students should keep up with the news in the locations they are planning to visit.
  • Students should carry their passports with them as identification when traveling outside of their study abroad 'home base.' 

What are the vaccination requirements for study abroad? 

Students should be aware of required vaccines for international travel. 

Students are also required as part of the pre-departure process to attend an appointment at the Saint Mary’s Health and Counseling Center; they can find out more about required vaccinations and medication considerations at this appointment. 

Do I need to purchase my own health insurance for study abroad? 

Saint Mary’s College provides International Health and Evacuation Insurance through GeoBlue International Health Insurance for Higher Education.  This insurance also covers a certain number of counseling sessions.  The GeoBlue website has general information about coverage, and once students are enrolled, they will be able to login to see specific details of the plan.

What medications should I bring with me?  

Students taking prescription medications should bring enough for the entire length of their stay.  We recommend that students check with their providers and/or insurance about “vacation overrides” to obtain a larger quantity.  If possible, students should take a letter from their provider stating what medications they are taking and why. 

Students are also advised to bring any over-the-counter (OTC) medications that they use, as comparable medications may be difficult to find or may be administered in different formulas or dosing.  

All medications must be in their original packaging.  Medication cannot be sent through the mail.  

Students are responsible for knowing the laws regarding medications in their host country and should also follow guidance from their host institutions.  Medications that are legal in the United States may not be legal in other countries.  

The following resources may serve as a guide: 

What happens if I get sick or injured while abroad? 

If students get sick or injured (including testing positive for COVID-19) while abroad, they should immediately seek local medical care and inform their on-site contact.  Students should then contact their Geoblue insurance for medical assistance.  Students are welcome to reach out to their point of contact at Saint Mary's College for additional support if needed.

What happens if a political crisis or natural disaster occurs while I am abroad?  

If it becomes necessary to evacuate students for political crises or natural disasters, the GeoBlue insurance provided by Saint Mary’s will cover the cost and arrange the logistics of an evacuation.  

This resource also provides information about what the U.S. Department of State can and can’t do in a crisis. 

What mental health resources are available for students? 

While abroad, it is very important to take care of your mental health.  Program Contacts can provide information about possible resources specific to the partner institution and/or host country.  Additionally, we recommend the following: 

  • Prepare as much as possible before you leave for your host country.  Be in conversation with your mental healthcare provider early and often leading up to your trip to make sure you have plans and strategies in place for dealing with different scenarios as well as the stress of travel. 
  • The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers has many great resources, including a section for “Travel and Mental Health” that outlines some “know before you go” tips for managing anxiety, depression, culture shock, etc.  
  • As mentioned above, the GeoBlue Insurance also offers counseling sessions for students.  See the GeoBlue website and this flyer for more details.   Students will also be able to access more information once enrolled in GeoBlue. 

What resources are available for students who experience sexual violence while abroad? 

If you experience sexual violence while abroad, know that you are not at fault and not alone. You can connect with local on-site staff as they are best able to advise you about next steps, legally and medically, and can provide you with any resources you may need. 

Below are links to helpful resources and information if you would like additional support:

Campus Resources and Information:

National and International Resources and Information:

What if I encounter a protest while abroad?

Students may encounter protests or political gatherings about current events or conflicts in other parts of the world while traveling or living abroad. Students are advised not to participate in these events and to remove themselves from the situation as quickly and as safely as possible. Students may encounter others who have very strong opinions on topics that are controversial or who may want to engage in arguments or debates. Students are advised to safely remove themselves from the encounter if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

The Global Education Office wants to support your safety and wellbeing, so if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to abroad@saintmarys.edu.  

For emergencies involving Saint Mary's Students, Campus Safety can be reached at 574-284-5000.