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Archive for the ‘Travel Warnings’ Category
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
As we welcome in 2012, many of you are preparing to study abroad, or are taking advantage of your winter vacation! No matter where you plan to travel internationally, it is important to keep up to date with the international climate to make sure that you and your family are safe. Since our last Travel Warning report in December, here’s what has changed since December 6th:
- Travel Warning for Central African Republic (CAR) - Today, January 4th, the Department of State warned against all travel to the country unless required. Replacing the previous July 28, 2011 warning, risks still exist for travelers against demonstrations as well as “armed militia groups, bandits, and poachers.”
- Travel Warning for South Sudan - As a newly created nation who gained it’s independence last year, South Sudan’s existing travel warning has been replaced on December 22, 2011. Danger is most present along the border between Sudan and South Sudan due in part to the separation. As the military forces build on both sides, the US State Department recommends postponing trips to the region due to clashes in the region that can occur with little to no notice.
- Travel Warning for Syria - Replacing the September 30th travel warning, there has been a reduction in the U.S. Embassy due to “violence and civil unrest.” Much of the commercial transportation has been cut back, including the frequency of flights to and from the country. The United Nations estimated that approximately 5,000 people have been killed since March.
- Travel Warning for Cote d’Ivoire - While security has improved over the last few months, the US Department has continued it’s existing travel warning last month. Cote d’Ivoire continue to have unrest throughout the country that pose threats to visitors.
As always, you can visit the US Department of State to see the latest in travel warnings. We hope you enjoy – and stay safe – as you travel around the world!
Tags: January 2012 Travel Warning Updates
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Thursday, December 8th, 2011
The US Department of State has lifted the travel warning for Nepal due to the improved conditions in the country. After political parties reached an agreement, the political climate is now stabilizing and the threat to visitors has greatly reduced. Over the last year, the U.S. Department of State has monitored the country’s conditions and has determined that political violence is no longer a threat to travelers. With the Nepal travel warning removed, many visitors and students will yet again continue visiting Nepal.
The US State Department stated, ”The U.S. Embassy is pleased that the overall situation in Nepal has improved to such a degree that this decision could be made.”
This comes as good news to Nepal who relies on tourism as its largest industry in the country. With the Nepal travel warning removed, many more visitors will feel safe and more comfortable with their overseas travel. Now international students and travelers can climb (or, for others, see) 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world.
Since January 2011, Nepal has seen a 21.5% increase in the number of international tourists over the last year, hosting 512,264 visitors. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, “this is the highest in the history of Nepal.” With the Nepal travel warning removed, it is predicted that this number will continue to increase.
Check out the US State Department for the official statement on the travel warning.
Tags: Nepal travel warning removed
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
As we head into the holiday season, many of us decide to travel overseas. As you decide where to go, the US Department of State lists the current travel warnings that are relevant to international travelers. As a student or family going abroad, it is important to stay up to date with current events to make sure that your trip is safe, secure, and fun.
- Travel Warning for Afghanistan – On December 1, 2011, the US State Department issued a travel warning for US citizens traveling to Afghanistan which replaces the warning back in March. The current travel warnings “reminds US citizens of ongoing security risks, including kidnapping and insurgent attacks.” While many travel warnings may apply to a specific region, the DOS states that, “no part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against U.S. and other Western nationals at any time.”
- Travel Warning for Burundi – On November 25, 2011, the US State Department reaffirmed a travel warning issued on June 1, 2011. With no changes to the current travel warning, Burundi’s peacekeeping efforts in Somalia there are now threats by “the Somali terrorist organization al-Shabaab… to conduct terror attacks in Burundi.”
- Travel Warning for Eritrea – On November 4, 2011, the US State Department extended current travel warnings dating back to February. The warning in Eritrea strongly advises all travel to the country to be pushed back due to security concerns including piracy.
- Travel Warning for Kenya – On November 4, 2011, the US State Department issued concerns of travel to Kenya replacing a December 2010 warning. Current travel warnings cites security issues due to terrorism and violence.
- Travel Warning for Guinea – On November 4, 2011, the US State Department replaced the existing December 2010 warning due to the political climate. Elections are scheduled for December 29th and while the current President has instilled a relatively calm environment, the election is contested and can present violent protests in the region.
- Travel Warning for Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea) – On November 3, 2011, the US State Department strongly urges travelers to avoid North Korea as “U.S. citizens crossing into North Korea, even accidentally, have been subject to arrest and long-term detention.” The travel warning continues to state that it is not uncommon to have expensive fines, long imprisonment, and hard labor if travelers do not possess a valid passport and visa.
International Student Insurance urges all travelers to be properly prepared and aware of the international climate. For the latest, check out the US Department of State for more information on these and other current travel warnings for December and November.
Tags: Current Travel Warnings, December Travel Warnings, US State Department
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Monday, March 14th, 2011
International students traveling overseas typically are concerned about their new school, learning a new language, culture shock perhaps, but what about the rare occurrence like a natural disaster? On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced the largest earthquake in recorded history at an 8.9 magnitude earthquake. The Department of State issued a Travel Alert to inform individuals still in Japan of power outages, evacuated areas, and the possibility of aftershock and tsunamis until April 1, 2011. Starting on Monday, March 14, scheduled 3-hour power outages are scheduled for the Tokto Metroplitan area which can be viewed at the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
Radio stations are also reporting this emergency information in the Tokyo area in English including on the U.S. Armed Forces station at 810AM and InterFM at 76.1FM. According to the Department of State, aftershocks are likely in the coming weeks. The Red Cross recommends moving into open spaces and away from walls, windows, buildings and other structures that may collapse. If you are inside, seek cover under a sturdy desk or table and press your face into your arms. If internet and telephone services are down, you may be able to contact people using text message/SMS or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
Those members trying to get in contact with loved ones should be aware of the following:
If you have an insurance plan, you will want to contact your insurance company to see if your plan includes coverage for natural disaster. Contact information should be listed on the back of your ID card.
Tags: Earthquake and Tsunami Help in Japan, How to contact loved ones in Japan, Natural disaster in Japan
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Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
In many countries, the number of international students studying abroad continues to increase each year. For Australia, however, the opposite is true. In fact, the number of Indian students alone has dropped from 65,503 last year to 29,721 this year – that is more than half!
With student security issues, legislative changes, and the financial crisis, the number of accepted students has dropped dramatically this year and many are predicting this will continue.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, this comes as no surprise with federal changes reducing the number of professions that lead to permanent residency. Furthermore, the government has also closed 15 private colleges that were high magnet schools for international students.
There has also been quite a stir among the international students. In fact, the number of Indian students wanting to study in Australia dropped almost 50%. This has been caused by the most recent publicized attacks on Indian students in Melbourne and Sydney. This in effect, resulted in a travel advisory issued by the Indian government.
According to the Australia’s Tourism Forecasting Committee, international students are worth $13 billion to the Australian economy each year. Of this total, Indian students compose of 19% of the international student enrollment – with the drop in international students the cost is expected to amount to $70 million.
Because of this, there is growing alarm of the expected impact to both international education and the economy. Carla Drakeford, president of the National Union of Students expresses that the “international student decline is dangerous for the university sector – not only because it creates a hole in university funding, but also because of the innate value international students bring to our community and higher education sector.”
Tags: decline in enrollment in australia, enrollment of international students drop in Australia, indian students drop in australia, indian students travel to australia, international students traveling to australia, internatonal students drop in australia
Posted in Study Abroad, Travel Warnings | 1 Comment »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
After January’s earthquake, many volunteer groups have been traveling to Haiti to assist in disaster relief efforts. The earthquake measured a 7 on the Richter scale and caused extensive damage to the area surrounding the capital, Port Au Prince. If you plan on assisting with the relief in Haiti, it is important that you are properly insured.
First, you’ll want to check to see if your current insurance plan provides international coverage. If they do not, you may want to consider a travelers insurance.
Many travel plans will cover you outside your home country; however your plan may have additional restrictions if a travel warning is issued. In fact, some travelers insurance may reduce their benefits or restrict coverage all together if the US State Department issues a travel warning before you leave. On January 14, 2010, the US State Department issued a warning for Haiti urging citizens to avoid travel because of the damage.
What does this mean for you?
You will want to double-check to make sure that your travelers insurance will cover you on your trip to Haiti.
A well-suited option is the International Travel Medical Insurance – this travelers insurance will cover you outside your home country whether you plan to be in Haiti for 5 days or for 3 years. This plan provides the essential coverage you’ll need, including doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
If you have questions about coverage, please contact our customer service representatives for further assistance.
Tags: haiti international insurance, haiti travel insurance, haiti trip insurance, international travel insurance haiti, travelers insurance for haiti, trip insurance for haiti, volunteer insurance for haiti
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
As many of you are now aware there was a very serious earthquake in Haiti. You may be wondering what you should do and who you can turn to for help in an emergency such as this.
You can refer to FEMA’s web page about “What to do After an Earthquake” The most important things are to listen to the radio and to only place phone calls in the event of an emergency, since call volumes are very high during these times.
International students and travelers should consider having a health insurance plan that will provide benefits to them for emergency medical evacuations and natural disasters.
A popular plan that offers coverage for both of these benefits is the Atlas Travel Series is an excellent choice for health insurance for students needing emergency medical evacuation and natural disaster coverage. The Atlas Travel Series provides coverage to students and travelers outside their home country. It provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation, natural disasters, repatriation, doctor office visits, etc.. This plan allows students to choose maximum coverage limits (from $50,000 to $1,000,000) and your deductible (from $0 to $2,500).
After this plan is purchased, they will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail. This e-mail will contain the insurance card, letter of coverage, receipt, and visa letter and policy details. Students can simply print these documents out to show proof of coverage.
Tags: atlas insurance, Catastrophic coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Emergency Medical Evacuation and Natural Disaster coverage for International Students, international student insurance, Natrual Disaster Coverage, study abroad health insurance
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
In recent news, the Swine Flu is spreading worldwide with primary symptoms including fever, coughing, chest discomfort, headaches, and body pains. In more serious cases, infection has led to death. The World Health Organization has also confirmed that this respiratory virus in humans has been officially reported in several countries including Mexico, Peru, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, Britain, Israel, Spain, and the United States.
According to the Center for Disease and Control, officials recommend that travelers check to see if their health insurance plan covers Swine Flu and to make sure that the plan offers medical evacuation.
All of the international health insurance plans on International Student Insurance provide coverage in case you are infected with the Swine Flu during your trip. If you plan on traveling abroad, the Atlas Travel Series will cover you internationally outside your home country. This plan is a travel and health insurance that will provide coverage if you get Swine Flu during your dates of coverage. The plan will also provide emergency air and/or ground transportation to the nearest hospital qualified to provide the necessary treatment. To learn more about the Atlas plan, please click here.
In addition to the Atlas Series, the Citizen Secure plan is available for those looking for a long-term plan. The Citizen Secure is an annually renewable plan that is a health insurance plan that includes coverage if you are infected with the Swine Flu. This plan also offers emergency medical evacuation including air and/or ground transportation. To learn more about the Citizen Secure plan, please click here.
Tags: health and travel insurance for swine flu, swine flu, swine flu insurance, swine flu travel insurance
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