Health, Safety & Insurance Abroad 

Download “International SOS Assistance” in the app stores  and create a new app account with your Holy Cross email address in order to get the most out of ISOS. You can also visit Visit www.internationalsos.com and log in with Member ID: 11BCAS701139

There are four primary uses for IntlSOS:

1. PRE-DEPARTURE PLANNING

• Review country-specific guidance on health and safety issues via the app or website

• Pre-arrange medical services before you leave by chatting in to ISOS through the app, sending an email through the app, or calling   (+1) 215-942-8478

2. ARRANGING AND PAYING FOR MEDICAL CARE

• Coordinate all medical services in host country using three simple steps:

If you’re sick or injured, contact IntlSOS by phone, chat (in the app) or email (in the app)

Step 1: IntlSOS can find you a medical provider/hospital OR you can choose a medical provider/hospital and inform IntlSOS (before or whiler eceiving medical services.)

Step 2: IntlSOS contacts the medical provider/hospital and arranges for your insurance to be   billed directly.

Step 3: You receive medical care and pay no out-of-pocket expenses!

If you forget to contact IntlSOS and end up paying out-of-pocket for medical expenses, contact your Holy Cross study abroad advisor for instructions on submitting an online claim for reimbursement. Be sure to save your receipts for any medical expenses you pay for out-of-pocket, because you’ll need receipts to be approved for reimbursement.  

3. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNICATION

• • • • • • • • Get real-time security alerts for your host country

              • “Check-In” Travel Registration Tool- Press the "check-in" button whenever you are in a new city or country! Press the button when you land in your host country, and whenever you are on an overnight trip outside your host city. 

              • Get immediate assistance and communication from Holy Cross in an emergency

4. MENTAL HEALTH HELP

• If you need mental health assistance or are feeling down, Call International ISOS at  (+1) 215-942-8478 or open the ISOS app and start a chat with an agent

• ISOS will put you in touch with a mental health provider on the ground, or connect you with a mental health provider via phone or a tele-health appointment 

Prescription Medications

All students should bring enough prescription medications to last their entire semester or year away. 

If a student is unable to obtain enough of any given medication to 'cover' them during their semester or year abroad, they should begin working with ISOS International insurance before departure to find a provider in the host city that can prescribe their medication while they are way. You can also think ahead! If, for example, a friend or family member is planning to visit at any point throughout the semester or year, the friend or family member may be able to bring over prescriptions for the student. 

Keep in mind, certain medications, especially those typically prescribed for ADD/ADHD may not be available abroad. 

Students should do some quick googling and contact ISOS international insurance before travelins abroad to find out if certain medications are available. If something is not available, you have two options: work with your doctor in the US to find an alternative that is available, or work with your doctor in the US to bring what you'll need with you. 

Over-the-counter Medications

All students should bring a supply of any over-the-counter medications they take on a regular basis.

Medications in different countries can be called different things, or might not be available at all. In order to avoid unnecessary stress or confusion, it can be a good idea to travel with a supply of medications you might need. If you take tums for an upset stomach, bring some tums! If your go-to for a headache is ibuprofen gel caps, bring some along. While these medications, or similar medications, are usually available abroad, it's nice to have a supply of what works for you.

Continuity of Care

If you know you'll need to see a doctor or specialist while abroad

You must contact ISOS before you leave to determine whether the treatmenet or specialized care you require is available at your host destination. ISOS can help pre-arrange appoinrments if necessary. 

All students are required to maintain their  U.S.-based health insurance coverage while abroad in case they need to return to the U.S. outside of the enrollment period. Students who normally opt out of the Holy Cross SHIP insurance, can continue to opt out while they are abroad as long as they have some other type of coverage in the U.S

All students should monitor the State Department website for their detination to stay abreast of health and safety advisories abroad.

All students are required to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Benefits of Enrolling in STEP:

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.

• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.

• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

The Office of Study Abroad prioritizes safety and well-being for all its students. In collaboration with ISOS and the College’s Risk Management Team, we comply with The Standards of Best Practice established by The Forum on Education Abroad to provide support to students throughout their study abroad journey.

Sexual Assault and Misconduct

Please do not separate from your group when/if going out at night and from people you trust. We have mostly heard of cases of assault when a student    stayed behind/alone at a bar, or walked late alone at night. It is never the victim’s fault when something happens and we are here to support our students. If you are not the victim but you see something, please say something. 

You have many resources for reporting or getting support if you’ve experienced or witnessed sexual assault, including both confidential and non-confidential resources:

Confidential Support from Holy Cross  

• College’s Primary Confidential Resource Provider 

  • • • • Elizabeth Drexler-Hines, Director of Government and Community Relations. 

        • Contact Elizabeth at 508-793-2302 and/or edrexler@holycross.edu

• Counseling Center

• Health Center

• Chaplains Office

*Non-confidential Support abroad and on-campus

• Office of Study Abroad

• Other Holy Cross Students on site

• Office of Diversity and Inclusion

• Title IX: Sexual Assault

• Public Safety

• Study Abroad Ambassadors

*Non-confidential resources, known as “Responsible Employees”, are obligated by College policy to disclose reports and information concerning potential discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital or parental status (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual harassment (including, but not limited to, sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking and sexual misconduct), or retaliation toward any member of the College community that is shared with them to the Title IX Coordinator.