Learn International considers health and safety matters in every aspect of programming. We want every participant, faculty and staff member to have a successful experience abroad, and we do our best to prepare those involved on these issues.
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We believe by preparing participants prior to, during and post study abroad programmes, we can eliminate many issues that may arise. Although we cannot 100% guarantee health and safety due to unforeseen occurrences, we do our very best to prevent, prepare and inform.
What is an emergency?
Learn International observes the following events as emergencies. While there are always exceptions to rules, please use the following as a guideline.
- Any participant experiencing a serious illness, injury or death.
- Any participant experiencing an emotional, mental health or psychological difficulty that may require extra assistance or even removal from a current situation by professionals.
- Any participant being the victim of a crime such as rape, a kidnapping, harassment or extreme prejudice.
- Any participant in trouble with the authorities, or who has participated in or been convicted of a crime.
- A situation in-country such as a political uprising, disease outbreak or a natural disaster.
While these are general areas we deem as emergencies, Learn International will provide support and assistance in any areas related to health and safety that arise.
In case of emergency
For Participants on a Credit-bearing Programme:
- All participants will receive a hotline number that can be reached at all times for emergencies. This number is also available to all partners and family members in case of an emergency.
- If there is a medical emergency, a travel warning or natural disaster we will first make sure the participant, faculty or staff are safe and receiving the assistance they need.
- Once we assure our programme participant(s) is safe, then we will contact the home institution via email or phone, to inform them of what has happened.
- After this contact is made, Learn International will continue monitoring the situation and follow health and safety instructions from the host institution, where applicable.
- Learn International’s health and safety team will then keep in regular contact with all necessary parties for updates and action to be taken.
For Participants on a Non-credit Bearing Programme:
- All participants will receive a hotline number that can be reached at all times for emergencies. This number is also available to all partners and family members in case of an emergency.
- If there is a medical emergency, a travel warning or natural disaster we will first make sure the participant, faculty or staff are safe and receiving the assistance they need.
- Once we assure our programme participant(s) are safe, then we will contact the listed emergency contact via email or phone, to inform them of what has happened.
- After this contact is made, Learn International will continue monitoring the situation and follow health and safety instructions from the host institution, where applicable.
- Learn International health and safety team will then keep in regular contact with all necessary parties for updates and action to be taken.
Emergency Protocol
Learn International does our best to provide safe and secure environments for all of our participants. However, there may be occasions which are out of our control, such as natural disasters, civil or political unrest, health epidemics and pandemics, warfare and acts of terrorism, prompting us to initiate our Emergency Protocol.
When there is a crisis that affects all of our participants, Learn International Health and Safety Committee will enact the following procedures:
- Contact and confirm the safety of every participant, faculty and staff member.
- Contact local Embassies related to participant’s citizenship and ask for the risks related to their home country, updates, instructions and come up with a plan of action based on the situation.
- Once a plan of action is formulated, participants will be given instructions and guidance for what to do and where to go to remain safe, if necessary.
- The Health and Safety Committee will continue to monitor the situation and maintain accurate notes and communication with necessary parties in-country.
- Once the participants are in a safe place, the Committee will contact participants’ emergency contacts and institutions and keep them regularly updated on events.
- Should participants need to be evacuated, hospitalised or transported a tailored plan will be developed and implemented.
- Learn International will keep our electronic communications up-to-date with as current information as available and lines of communication open to the best of our ability.
Learn International will maintain the above protocol unless immediate adaptations are needed based on the severity of an event.
Health
It is recommended that all participants research the health and safety risks of the country or countries, they plan to visit while abroad. Participants are fully responsible for their health and well-being. It is important to prepare for your physical, mental and emotional well-being prior to arriving by seeing physicians to get check-ups, prescriptions and the like. Participants should discuss and make a plan with their physician in relation to any health concerns prior to departure.
Once abroad on a Learn International programme, it is the participant’s responsibility to manage and maintain their health. Participants should continue their daily routines for medication management, pre-existing conditions and addictions, where applicable. If a participant does not maintain their health, they are solely responsible for the consequences. If a participant or a Learn International staff member feel that a participant cannot maintain their health abroad and need help, a doctor should be contacted immediately. Then a decision will be made as to whether a participant should remain abroad or return home.
We also encourage you to attend your home institution’s pre-departure session where available, and keep open communication with your study abroad adviser for any additional tips on studying abroad, where applicable.
We recommend that all participants visit a travel clinic before travelling abroad; they are great resources for obtaining information on potential risks and information on immunisations with studying abroad. Check to see if your home university or local community has one available.
Learn International has also prepared a pre-departure and arrival page for additional information regarding your trip abroad.
International Health Insurance
All participants must arrive with International Health Insurance, no exceptions.
Learn International uses Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), which offers a comprehensive insurance plan abroad for International Health Insurance. Depending on the type of programme a participant is accepted on, CISI insurance fees will be added to the final programme payment or students will be directed to pay directly on the CISI website.
CISI issues international health insurance in one-month increments, regardless of duration of programme. Participants cannot negotiate lower insurance costs and get insurance for less than one-month increments. However, this means that, for example, if a student is doing a 10-week programme, they will need 12 weeks (3 months) of coverage, so two weeks will be available for extra travel within Ireland or Europe.
Further, if a student would like to stay longer and travel after their study abroad programme, they may contact CISI and extend their health insurance coverage.
It is also recommended that participants contact their regular health insurer to understand the benefits, if any, while abroad. Please note, this does not mean that participants can opt out of CISI insurance; it is still mandatory.
Students with health insurance included in their programme are enrolled in the Upgraded Comprehensive Plan, which is found below. If purchasing this for yourself, this is the plan that includes our minimum requirements.
For group programmes, some policies have Covid-19 quarantine coverage. We advise including this in whatever policy you purchase, where available, as quarantining can be expensive when accommodation and meals are factored in.
All participants must read the benefit plan and understand the policy while abroad, including the claims policy and procedures. If students have any questions about CISI coverage, they should contact CISI directly.
CISI Contact Information: Toll free: (800) 303-8120 Direct: +1 (203) 399-5130 or on CISI website.
Learn International is not responsible for international health insurance policy, benefits, claims, or anything related to medical reimbursements and the like. It is the participant’s sole responsibility to manage their health and health insurance.
Exceptions to International Health Insurance
If the participant’s home university offers international health insurance and it meets the following the criteria, then this insurance will be acceptable. Proof of your home institution’s international health insurance policy may be requested by Learn International.
Insurance Requirements:
- Medical Expense (per Accident or Sickness) Deductible Limit – Zero
- Unlimited Lifetime Maximum – $250,000 per incident
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment – $10,000
- Medical Evacuation – $100,000
- Repatriation/Return of Mortal Remains – $50,000
- Emergency Medical Reunion up to $1,500
- *Please note: These are in US dollars and not Euros.
There are no other exceptions to not having international health insurance. All students must be enrolled and meet the above minimum requirements.
What is needed for proof of insurance?
- Copy of original insurance card
- Dates of insurance coverage
- Copy of policy
The above items will be collected prior to arrival and upon arrival.
If a participant travels while attending a Learn International programme, outside of the programme-related excursions, it is recommended each participant contact their insurance to fully understand their benefits and coverage. Learn International is not responsible for any emergencies, medical issues or inadequate travel or international health insurance while a participant travels or participates on any non-programme related activities.
All medical issues that occur on Learn International programmes must be reported as soon as possible to Learn International staff, for the best and quickest support to be provided by on-site staff team.
Learn International is not responsible or liable for a participant’s personal health and wellness. This includes but is not limited to: medical, emotional and mental health concerns, medical emergencies and/or pre-existing conditions. Students are fully responsible for their personal health and wellness while on a Learn International programme.
Further, participants are fully responsible for understanding their current health insurance and international health insurance coverage, benefits, and claims processes. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their insurance coverage is sufficient for the duration of their programme. Learn International is not liable or responsible for any deficit in benefits, complaints handling or policies not covering health needs or claims made by a participant with their health insurance(s).
Learn International is not an insurance broker or reseller. Learn International recommends speaking with a qualified insurance agent to ensure that participants are satisfied that they have sufficient coverage. Learn International will not be liable for any shortfall in insurance coverage of any type for any reason.
Safety
Learn International has 24/7 staff available to assist participants, faculty and staff for general support (logistics) and any emergencies that may arise, so no participant will be on their own in a time of need.
While we cannot guarantee safety due to unforeseen occurrences or things out of our control, we provide necessary precautions to keep participants and staff safe to the best of our ability.
All participants need to update their home institution and Learn International of their Emergency Contacts in the event of an emergency. This contact should be someone you trust or a close family member, such as a parent or guardian.
Participants need to maintain regular communication with their Emergency Contact while travelling or abroad on their study abroad programme. By having regular communication, the amount of potential worry or panic-stricken calls or emails, simply due to lack of communication, will be avoidable.
Participants agree that Learn International can contact their Emergency Contact in the event of an emergency. Please review, What Is An Emergency in the Health and Safety Section.
Travel
Many participants take the opportunity to travel while studying abroad. This is a huge benefit to studying abroad and one that is popular among participants.
When a participant is attending a Learn International programme and chooses to travel, it is required that when they travel on weekends or outside of the programme schedule, that they inform their Learn International point of contact prior to departure. It is helpful for Learn International to be aware if a participant is away in case of emergency or if they need to be contacted. We want to be sure our programme participants are safe while abroad, so if any issues arise, we can always locate a participant if needed.
Whether you are travelling within your host country or to a different country, we always advise that participants travel in groups, never alone, and have access to a cell phone at all times, in case of an emergency.
If you are an American citizen, we highly encourage you to sign up with the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP) and update your travel plans throughout your time abroad. This is a great resource and easy to do.
Travelling to and from your host-country
When entering and re-entering your host-country, it is recommended that you bring: your exit ticket from your host-country (your plane or train ticket) proving exactly when you plan to leave, your acceptance letter into your study abroad programme and keep your address on hand for immigration. At times, when students are flying in and out of a country, immigration can be strict and require documents proving why you are coming and going.
