Study Abroad Depression
March 5th, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceStudying abroad is a fun and exciting journey; however once you are abroad it may be much more difficult than you originally expected. Not only are you in a new environment, but you are also away from the familiarity of family and friends.
Understandably, it is not uncommon for some students to experience depression. According to WebMD, depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include:
* Persistent sadness, pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex
* Difficulty concentrating and complaints of poor memory
* Worsening of co-existing chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
* Insomnia or oversleeping
* Weight gain or loss
* Fatigue, lack of energy
* Anxiety, agitation, irritability
* Thoughts of suicide or death
* Slow speech; slow movements
* Headache, stomachache, and digestive problems
To prevent depression, it is important to have a well-balanced diet, make time for exercise, and incorporate fun and relaxing activities into your new routine. While it may be tempting to try all of the restaurants nearby, it is more important to eat foods that are high in nutrients. Nutrients we all need include vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and even a small amount of fat.
Not only is your diet critical, but so is exercise. Physical exercise improve yourself image and there is the added bonus — your body releases a chemical called endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling and diminish the perception of pain. This can be the opportunity to do a local team sport where you can meet new people with similar interests.
Some individuals have even used St. John’s Wart as an herbal remedy to treat mild forms of depression. St. John’s Wart is a wild yellow flower considered to be a weed throughout most of the United States. It has been used for medical purposes in other parts of the world. Before taking St. John’s Wart, you should consult a medical professional.
Travel Insurance for Parents
February 25th, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceSo you’ve been an international student for some time now, living on your own in a foreign country. You’ve been skyping back and forth with your parents, dealing with the intermittent phone calls that are sometimes hard to coordinate with the time change. But this time they’ve announced that they are ready to come for a visit.
Whether your parents will be coming to visit for a week, month, or perhaps are planning to move into your dorm room, you will want to make sure that your parents are covered on their trip abroad. In many cases, international travel insurance may not come to your parent’s mind, as they are busy packing their bags with your favorite items – although unfortunately customs put a limit on some foods that will remain in the back of your mind – but on the top of your to-do list when you come home.
The Travel Medical plan is designed for individuals traveling outside their home country – including travel insurance for your parent’s journey to visit you overseas. The plan provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, doctor office visits, etc. By having your parents properly insured, this will provide them with the peace of mind that they can travel around with ease and comfort. This can be especially important in countries where the medical system may be just as foreign as the language. And the added plus – one less thing to worry about!
Mexico Trip Insurance
February 10th, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceGoing abroad to Mexico is a unique opportunity – whether you will be learning Spanish, doing a study abroad trip, or vacationing. Although Mexico has public health care available to its citizens/permanent residence through the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, these services are not available to visitors. Instead, you will need to seek treatment in private facilities with your own insurance plan. It is important to know that Mexico does not have any reciprocal health care agreements with other countries – meaning that you will need to have your own health insurance in place for the duration of your trip.
The Travel Medical plan is a trip insurance that will cover you while outside your home country, including in Mexico. The plan can be managed completely online allowing you to have full access to your trip insurance. The plan will cover you for hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. A convenient feature with this plan is that you’ll be able to choose the doctor or hospital of your choice as there is no network in Mexico.
By having suitable trip insurance in Mexico, you’ll be able to rest assured that you have adequate coverage as you venture through the ruins, stroll across the beach, or go shopping in a bodega. The Department of State states on their website that they “strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.”
Travelers Insurance for Haiti
February 5th, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceAfter 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.
Spring Break Trip Insurance
February 3rd, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceIt’s almost that time of year again – it’s that one week off from school to kick back and relax. That is, kick back and relax in a foreign country!
Whether you plan to enjoy the sun in Cancun, Mexico or if you’ll be navigating your way through the web of trains in Europe, you’ll need to be prepared with a spring break trip insurance. Before boarding the plane, you’ll want to make sure that you have your paperwork in order, whether that is your insurance cards or your proof of insurance if required by your destination country.
The bonus? It is guaranteed to make your parents a bit more comfortable as you venture over the border.
Most spring break trip insurance plans can be purchased for a short period and will provide coverage outside your home country allowing you the flexibility of traveling to multiple destinations. By covering yourself, you will have the security of knowing that you’ll be covered in case of sickness or injury.
For the extreme adventurer, you’re going to want your plan to cover you no matter if you’ll be skiing or ski diving. Many spring break travel plans will allow you to add additional sports coverage as well.
Many students have found our Spring Break trip insurance plan, the Travel Medical plan, a comprehensive plan well suited for short trips. Not only can you purchase just 5 days of coverage- but you’ll be covered internationally outside your home country. This plan covers you for doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation. Many students have found this plan a perfect fit as it also has the optional sports rider in case you are planning an adventurous spring break!
Health Insurance for ESL Students
January 22nd, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceLearning English has become an important skill in today’s globalized world. More and more students are realizing the advantage of learning English including its growing importance in business. What better way to learn a language then to actually go abroad and be immersed in the culture and language?
ESL programs are designed as an intensive English study where you will take classes by day and be immersed in a reinforcing environment by night. This access is a unique opportunity that provides you with the tools and practice needed to pick up the language.
If you will be traveling to a foreign country to study English, you will want to make sure that you are properly equipped with health insurance for ESL students. It is common for programs to offer varying program durations from one week of classes up to several months. The Travel Medical plan provides health insurance for ESL students and will cover you outside your home country.
You will also want a plan that provides you with the option to extend coverage should you decide to continue with your stay abroad. Another consideration is that your health insurance plan should also cover you even if you decide to travel. The Travel Medical plan will allow you to purchase a minimum of 5 days of coverage up to one year. This health insurance will cover you outside your home country for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, doctor office visits, etc.. Not only that, but this health insurance for ESL students also meet all government and visa requirements.
End of Trip Home Country Coverage
January 21st, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceInsurance can be quite a tricky subject especially when you are dealing with multiple countries. It is common for overseas travelers to find a travel insurance that will cover you outside your home country- but what about when you return home?
With the vast number of international insurance plans, you need to choose a plan that provides the appropriate coverage- whether internationally or back home. If you do not have a domestic plan already in place, you will want to consider a plan with end of trip home country coverage. This is normally an optional benefit that provides additional coverage in your home country.
This option is especially important since the first thing you will want to do when you return home will NOT be to look for insurance! Remember that great restaurant you regularly went to up the road? Or, that friend you haven’t seen in what feels like ages? Whether you spend the time at home recovering from jet lag, or just taking in the moment where you understand everything that is going on around you- you will also want to have the piece of mind that you are covered for the unexpected.
There are some international travel plans that will allow you to add end of trip home country coverage for a limited number of days. Some plans require that you’ve purchased a minimum number of months abroad to make you eligible for the end of trip home country coverage benefit. Other plans will cover you up until a certain number of days after returning home. This coverage is important so that you will have enough time to take-it-easy and find a long-term solution.
One popular option is the Travel Medical insurance plan. This plan has the option to add end of trip home country coverage. If you are covered outside of your Home Country continuously for at least 6 months you can add an additional 30 days of End of Trip Home Country Medical Coverage.
Emergency Medical Evacuation and Natural Disaster Coverage for International Students
January 15th, 2010 by International-Student-InsuranceAs 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.
Canadian International Student Health Insurance
January 8th, 2010 by International-Student-Insurance
Canadian tuition fees are among the lowest in English-speaking countries and because of that, Canada is a popular choice for international students who choose as their study abroad destination. There are now over 180,000 international students who study in Canada, so its an excellent choice for many!
Finding the right health insurance, however, can be a bit confusing for international students but we have the solutions to help ease this situation. One such plan is the Atlas Travel Series, a great solution and popular choice among international students all throughout Canada. The plan provides comprehensive coverage for doctor office visits, prescription drugs, hospitalizations, diagnostic testing, x-rays, laboratory work, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc. It is available for worldwide coverage, excluding your home country, so if you also plan to travel during your time in Canada, the plan will follow with you.
After you purchase the plan, you can receive all of your insurance documents immediately via e-mail, which will include your visa letter, receipt, insurance card and policy details.
For more information about Canada Student Insurance options, please visit our dedicated Canadian page, with more details about the Atlas plan along with a very specific Canadian international student health insurance product.
UK International Student Insurance
January 8th, 2010 by International-Student-Insurance
Red Bus in front of Big Ben, London
The UK is one of the most popular destinations for international studies. In fact, studying in the UK is the number two choice for international students in the world, second only to the USA. The UK offers international students an excellent higher education system and with hundreds of universities to choose from – it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular destination. For more demographic and statistical information about international students in the UK, visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs or you can view our UK International Student Insurance pages for more in depth information on why the UK is so great!
Before you leave your home country/country of citizenship you should consider purchasing health insurance coverage for international students that will work for you in the UK.
The Atlas Travel Series is a great choice for health insurance for international students in the UK. The plan provides comprehensive coverage for doctor office visits, prescription drugs, hospitalizations, diagnostic testing, x-rays, laboratory work, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc. To be eligible for this plan, you do not have to be a student but you must be outside of your home country.
International students needing health insurance in the UK will find applying for the plan simple and easy – you can purchase the plan right online and get immediate coverage. After you purchase the plan, you can receive all of your insurance documents immediately via e-mail. This e-mail will include your visa letter, receipt, insurance card and policy details.
