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Health and Safety Abroad

Safety is of the utmost importance when traveling or studying abroad. Just as when traveling in the U.S. you should be cognizant of your surroundings and use good common sense. However, common sense is not all that is needed. The more you know about your host country (and other countries where you will be traveling) the safer you will be.

Here are just a few of the steps IPC takes to monitor student safety abroad:
  • All students are required to be enrolled in GeoBlue Insurance during their study abroad program. GeoBlue is a low-cost, zero-deductible international insurance plan that covers medical care, prescriptions and mental health services for students abroad. The insurance also provides medical and political evacuation coverage through partnership with Drum Cussac.
  • All students are required to attend pre-departure orientation(s) with IPC staff that review important health and safety information, insurance coverage and emergency contact forms.
  • IPC does a quarterly audit of active program locations to determine potential risks to student health and well-being using U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories and Drum Cussac Country Security Profiles, among other resources. In accordance with safety protocols, IPC does not currently send students to regions included in a level 4 U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory. On an as needed basis, IPC will evaluate active programs located in heightened risk locations to determine if the program falls within an acceptable level of risk for UNCG.
  • IPC actively monitors program locations for health and safety risks. In instances of crisis, IPC will communicate with Drum Cussac and GeoBlue insurance to determine if the critical incident is severe enough to warrant evacuation from the program location or suspension of program travel to the location.
The following links contain resources that can help prepare you for your international experience:

U.S. Department of State

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CIA World Factbook
Culture Grams
Diversity Abroad
GeoBlue Insurance
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)
Mobility International
Pathways to Safety International
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)