Health and Safety

Student safety and security is a top priority. Global Learning staff provide round-the-clock support for students in the event of an emergency or crisis. While Global Learning staff have thoroughly reviewed program locations and activities for safety, personal health and safety is always a responsibility shared by you, the student traveler. You should familiarize yourself with the health and safety information below before the pre-departure process. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact your Global Learning advisor.

Key Health and Safety Tips

In an emergency situation abroad

Contact local emergency services for immediate help. You are provided with local emergency service contact information before departure. The Department of State country information page for your host country also includes emergency services numbers.
Contact on-site support. Know how to reach your faculty leader, host institution or program provider emergency contact. Someone is available to support you on-site and you should contact this person as soon as is prudent so that they can provide assistance and be aware of your situation.
Contact UC Global Medical Assistance Provider AXA for assistance in arranging medical care or opening an insurance claim. See the overview of services available and the insurance policy number.
- From outside the USA: +1-630-694-9804
- Email: MedAssist-USA@AXA-Assistance.us
Contact Global Learning 24/7 for emergencies by calling the UCSC police dispatch number at 831-459-2345. Tell the dispatch operator your name and that you are on a Global Learning program. The dispatch operator will notify a Global Learning staff member who can assist you.
1. For non-emergencies, call the Global Learning front desk during California business hours at (831) 459-2858.
Contact your family: it is important to be in contact with your family if you have been involved in an emergency or have had to go to the hospital. They will be concerned about your well-being and will want updates from you. Global Learning staff are limited in the amount of information they can disclose to parents, so it is best for you to contact them directly.

Before departing

Register with STEP and Crisis24
- Register your trip with the US Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and install the STEP app on your phone. Enrolling in STEP gives you access to State Department country information and registers your trip with the State Department for travel alerts for US citizens.
- Crisis24 is a risk management information provider for the University of California. You will receive an email shortly before your program starts, inviting you to register. Registration provides you with country safety information and alerts about incidents affecting your location.
Review the State Department information page for your host country, including entry requirements and safety information.
Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel health webpage and learn about preparing to travel and travel health information about your host country.
Get in the habit of monitoring local news in your host country to be aware of current events there, and continue to do so while you are there.

General Safety

Carry a cell phone with pre-programmed emergency numbers and the emergency contact card provided to you with phone numbers for program leaders and local emergency resources at all times.
Learn and follow local traffic rules and practices and avoid dangerous modes of transportation, including mopeds and sub-standard buses. Travel accidents, whether as a pedestrian or driver/passenger, are one of the main sources of injuries and fatalities on study abroad programs. See the Department of State’s Resource for road safety overseas.
Avoid areas known to have a high incidence of crime and do not walk or travel alone, especially at night, to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime, harassment, or assault.
Avoid excessive use of alcohol, which increases the risk of becoming a victim of a crime or accident.
Learn basic terms related to safety and emergencies in the host country language, such as “help” and “police.”
Dress and behave like a local as much as possible if you are in an area in which Americans are viewed negatively or as prime targets for crime.
Avoid public demonstrations and large crowds, which may be likely to become unruly. Demonstrations can turn unpredictable or violent very quickly and catch you off guard; in some countries, it is illegal for non-citizens to participate in demonstrations.
If you’re unsure about something, reach out and ask your program staff. No matter what the question, it’s better answered than assumed.

University of California Travel Insurance

All students studying abroad with Global Learning are covered by University of California Chubb/AXA travel insurance. This insurance is only valid while you are abroad, and provides coverage during your program, seven (7) days before your program start date, and seven (7) days after your program end date.

Coverage includes illness and injury with no deductible or copay. Be aware, however, that you will likely need to pay for care at the time you receive it and will have to file a claim for reimbursement. Therefore, have a plan to be able to pay for medical care if needed while abroad. This might include having access to additional cash through a debit card or carrying a credit card to be used only in case of emergency. In some cases, it might be possible to arrange direct payment to the hospital or doctor, but this would need to be done in advance through the UC Travel Assistance Provider AXA.

In addition to the coverage listed above, some travel coverage for trip cancellation and lost baggage is included as well. You can receive an insurance card with policy information prior to the start of your program. You can review the summary of benefits and more information about coverage on this website.

Participants on UCEAP programs are covered by the UCEAP CHUBB-AXA policy. Detailed insurance information for UCEAP participants can be found on the UCEAP website.

Participants in UCDC will continue to have access to UC SHIP or, if UCSHIP was waived, private health insurance.Participants in Independent Programs are responsible for securing international medical insurance independently. If covered by private medical insurance, review coverage for foreign travel and consider purchasing additional international health insurance, if needed. Insurance may be included through the program provider.

Extended Overseas Travel Coverage

If you intend to travel independently outside of program dates, you should consider purchasing extended overseas travel coverage. You can enroll in up to 3 months of additional coverage using the UC Travel Insurance Extension here. Details on coverage for the UC Travel Insurance Extension are here.

Gap Coverage for Domestic Insurance

Short-term health insurance or “gap” coverage is for situations when UC SHIP or private domestic insurance is not active for a period when you are in the U.S. prior to or after your study abroad program. UC Santa Cruz does not have recommendations for any specific providers for gap coverage, but numerous private companies offer insurance. If you have a gap in coverage, you should explore options for enrollment.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

UC Travel Insurance provides a limited trip cancellation benefit. It can apply if the cancellation is due to serious injury or the death of an immediate family, but not in the case of financial distress. It is recommended that you purchase refundable airfare and/or additional trip cancellation insurance in the event you are no longer able to participate on your program or if the program were to be canceled. Global Learning is not responsible for any fees you incur related to unrecoverable costs due to program cancellation or changes.

Traveling with Medications

If you take prescription medication, bring enough for the entire time that you will be away. If you will be abroad for a length of time that exceeds the amount of time that a doctor is willing to prescribe for, the UC Travel Assistance Provider AXA can assist in finding a local doctor who can prescribe medication for you in your host country. AXA can also assist in replacing lost medication if necessary.

Best practices for traveling with medication:

Bring an adequate supply of prescribed medication that you will need for the duration of the program.
Bring prescription medicine in its original containers.
Pack all medicines in your carry-on luggage and in original pharmacy containers (with Rx labels).
Make sure you have made all of the necessary prescription arrangements with your primary physician before traveling abroad.
Discuss how major time zone changes may affect your medication schedule with your primary physician before going abroad.
Ask your doctor for the generic name of your medication, as brand names are frequently different in other countries.
Bring a note from the prescribing doctor stating your name and the medication prescribed
Bring your own basic medicines for headaches, colds, coughs, stomach aches, hay fever, diarrhea, and so on.
Medical use of cannabis in any form, including CBD, is not allowed in most countries. Do not attempt to bring any form of cannabis with you when traveling abroad. If you are using cannabis products for medical reasons, consult with your doctor about alternatives that can be used instead.

The CDC and International Association For Medical Assistance To Travellers provide additional information about traveling with medication that should be reviewed before traveling.

Medical Needs and Accommodations

Students with Disabilities

Tell your Global Learning advisor well in advance of the program start date if you need specific medical services or accommodations. Early planning and clear communication are the best strategies for being successful while abroad. You should begin these discussions during your application phase.

If you have a documented disability, the Disabilities Resource Center will work with you to assist in getting your accommodations in place for your study abroad or away program. Your Global Learning advisor can assist in researching and confirming whether specific accommodations can be arranged at a given program location.

Be aware that not all accommodation needs can be met because of conditions in the city or country where a program is being held that are beyond our control. Early disclosure of accommodation needs can help in the selection of an appropriate location if this is the case.

See also these web pages for more information about studying abroad with a disability:

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

UC travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions while you are abroad. If you have a pre-existing medical or mental health condition and may need care while abroad, UC Travel Assistance Provider AXA can assist with determining if a care provider is available in your study abroad location and advise on how to work with the insurance company in these cases. Being proactive and discussing your needs before departing on your program will make for a smoother transition to your time abroad.

Mental Health Abroad

If you are currently using professional help with emotional or mental health concerns, talk about your plans to study abroad with your care provider before making the final decision to go. The added challenges of adjusting to a new environment, coupled with the absence of a familiar support system, may exacerbate existing conditions.

Mental Health support on Global Learning programs is available through Lyra, a mental health service provider. Students on Global Learning programs can access up to 20 counseling sessions at no extra cost through phone, video, or in person. Lyra also offers an online library of videos, articles, and strategies. Information on how to access Lyra Services from abroad is provided in the Global Learning portal. No paperwork or fees are required.

See also these websites for more information about studying abroad with mental health conditions: Successful Study Abroad with a Mental Health Condition; Preparations for Travel with Mental Health ConditionsIf you are in crisis, you can call Lrya for support (described above), AXA Global Assistance (contact information provided on the insurance card), or UCSC CAPS can be contacted for consultation and support during a crisis. The UCSC Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment (CARE) is also available for support and is a confidential resource.

Sexual Violence and Sex- and Gender-based Harassment (Title IX Incidents)

If you experience any type of sexual violence while on a study abroad program, understand that you have options and support is available to you as you begin the healing process. If you are a victim/survivor of sexual violence, what happened to you was not your fault.

Experiencing sexual violence is difficult and can be even more confusing and complicated if it occurs in another country. Victims/survivors often experience a range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, confusion, and loss of control. There is no one “right way” to respond, and determining what steps to take after a traumatic experience can be difficult, especially when you are far from home. The options listed below are meant to be resources.

Make a Report

The decision to report and when to do so is always up to you. You are encouraged to make a report close to the time of the incident, even though reports can be made to Global Learning staff, the UCSC Title IX office, confidential staff on campus, and law enforcement at any time.

You are encouraged to report any incidents of sexual violence to local police if you are comfortable doing so. If you would like assistance in making a report, you are encouraged to work with on-site staff. You should know that all university employees are required to report incidents of sexual violence and sex- or gender-based harassment, including stalking, relationship violence, and invasions of sexual privacy to the Title IX office.

The UCSC Title IX office has more information about reporting, your rights, and resources on their website.