Health and Safety

Smith College is committed to working with students to promote and support their health and safety while abroad. Prior to departure, students must submit this Medical Review Form. Since studying abroad often involves higher stress levels that may exacerbate existing physical or emotional conditions, we strongly encourage students to fully disclose their medical history. In doing so, the information provided will help the Smith College deans for international study and program directors ensure that students’ needs are met.

Remember that by submitting the Medical Review Forms and well as the Health and Disability Management Plan you have verified that all of the information contained in the forms is accurate and complete. You have also acknowledged that any failure to provide accurate and complete information, including notification to Smith College of changes in your health affecting the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the forms, may result in your dismissal from the program. You have agreed to notify the Smith College Office for International Study of any material changes in your health that occur prior to the start of the program or while on the program. In some instances, when there have been changes to your health the Office for International Study may ask that you submit an updated Part II of the Medical Review Form.

You are covered by a number of different insurance policies that will provide coverage while on your program abroad, while traveling, and upon your return. While abroad, you are responsible for paying your own medical bills and requesting reimbursement by submitting your claim forms and receipts to the appropriate insurance policy providers.

Primary insurance: As a student on a Smith Program Abroad (Florence, Geneva, Hamburg, Paris), you are required to carry U.S.-based primary health insurance, and will be automatically enrolled in the Smith College student health insurance plan through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk. If you have another primary health insurance policy that provides comparable coverage, you may waive coverage on the Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk website. However, if you are an international student at Smith, you must purchase the Smith College student health insurance plan via Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk.

Supplemental study abroad insurance: As a student on a Smith Program Abroad, you will also be covered by a supplemental international medical insurance policy through GeoBlue. The cost of this supplemental health care coverage is included in the program fee. The policy provides coverage for regular medical office visits, and prescription drugs for the period of the program (with certain specified limits). This supplemental insurance plan will serve as your primary health insurance policy during your time abroad. Beyond that level of service, you are expected to revert to your regular insurance provider. Other expenses not covered by this plan, such as co-pays or some specialized care, should be submitted to your regular, U.S.-based health insurance provider.

You and your family should carefully review the GeoBlue Student Member Guide be familiar with the coverage it offers. Policy documents will also be sent to you, via email, prior to your departure for the program.

Other Insurance and Services: All students are covered by a Travel Accident Policy which provides emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Benefits are coordinated through the Five-College Director of Risk Management via the Director of your program and/or the Smith Office for International Study.

• Smith College is not responsible for personal injury or for damage to or loss of personal property. If you want liability, luggage, or other personal insurance, please arrange additional insurance coverage before traveling to your program.

• Additional health insurance coverage is provided in some program locations according to local law or university regulations. See your program specific section for details.

If You Need Medical Attention

You should visit your doctors and dentist for routine appointments before departure. If you have a chronic condition or other health needs requiring continuity of care, or take prescription medication, please discuss with your doctor managing your health abroad. In particular you will want to ask how to obtain your medication, what to do if it does not work properly, or if new conditions arise, or old problems resurface. You may consider signing a release with your doctor or Smith College Health Services to facilitate transfer of your records to a care provider abroad.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring a second pair of glasses or extra lenses, and a copy of your vision prescription as well.

Each program center maintains a list of doctors (general practitioners and specialists, dentists, and English-speaking psychotherapists and psychiatrists) from whom students have received good care in the past. Your Director(s) are able to provide assistance with such referrals; AIG Travel Guard is also a useful resource for specialists when needed.

Prescription Drugs

You will want to investigate, well in advance of departure, the availability abroad of the medications you use. In some cases, medications routinely prescribed in the U.S. may not be available in other countries, or may only be available in other formulations or dosages. If you are using any medications considered controlled substances, make sure you understand the procedures for obtaining them–or an acceptable alternative–while abroad, and be aware that it may be illegal to bring such medications through customs (entirely, or above a certain amount). The International Narcotics Control Board is one resource for learning more about traveling with such medications.

Ask your doctor if your medication can be disbursed in quantity, and if so, obtain a supply well before departure. If possible, bring a supply of your medications sufficient to cover your entire time abroad and pack this in your carry-on baggage. If you do take a prescription medication, bring a copy of the prescription written legibly in generic terms. As noted above, check the host country’s laws regarding that particular medication, as drug laws vary greatly. If your medication is not available abroad, discuss with your doctor the options regarding other medications.

If you need help with these questions, please contact:

AIG/Travel Guard

Toll-free number: 877-244-6871

Overseas collect: +1 715-346-0859

Email: travelassist@aigbenefits.com

Policy Number: GTP 9144090

Be smart about personal safety. Use common sense. Do not walk alone at night, drink to excess, accept drinks from strangers, or leave with someone you have just met. Use the buddy system; pay attention to what is going on around you. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Take cues from people around you and listen to advice from locals about which areas to avoid.

Theft is the most common crime experienced by students abroad. Students have been pick-pocketed, mugged, and robbed of unattended items such as jackets and laptops. Safeguard your personal belongings. Leave your passport at home (and carry a photocopy with you); carry only the cash you need for the day. If you must carry a lot of cash, or your passport, use a money belt. Do not carry your passport or other valuables in a purse or backpack that can be easily stolen. Be very careful with the key to your residence: replacing the locks at either a host family’s home or a university residence is no small feat and is extremely expensive. If you are a victim of a crime, or theft, let the Director know. He or she will provide support and offer advice about reporting to local authorities.

Memorize at least one phone number, such as that of the program office, and learn to use the public telephones in case you lose your cell phone. Make copies of your passport and other important documents such as your residency permit, visa, credit card, debit card, etc.; leave one copy at home with your family, and one copy in your room in Europe. This will be essential if you need to replace your passport or cancel your credit card.

Smith College strongly urges students not to rent or operate motor vehicles while abroad.

Laws of the Host Country
As a student on the Smith College program, you are also bound by the laws of your host country, just as are local citizens. You are not protected by U.S. law or the laws of your home country. This applies to everything from drug possession and alcohol restriction to currency exchanges, dress codes, and drunken driving. It is not unusual for violators (foreign or domestic) to receive prison sentences for crimes, or to be held in a prison for several years while awaiting trial. If you are an American citizen, you are used to hearing politicians speak about “the most powerful nation on earth.” That does not always sit well with our foreign friends.

If you are arrested, it is therefore unlikely that the U.S. Embassy, your family, or Smith College will be able to arrange for your release. Your embassy can notify your family and help arrange for legal representation in conformance with the laws of the host country. You might do well to read the U.S. Department of State web page on assistance to US Citizens arrested abroad, at: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/arrest.html

Alcohol and Drug Policy
If you are of legal age in your host country—the question of “legal age” is complex, but in Europe, if you are over 18, you are “legal”—you may consume alcohol. If you chose to do so, please remember that you are at all times responsible for your actions. Smith College prohibits the illegal distribution of alcohol to students who are not of legal drinking age in the host country, and prohibits the unlawful use of alcohol in any of its facilities and at any of its activities abroad.

Possession, use, or distribution of any substances that are considered by host country law to be illicit or illegal drugs is prohibited. Please be aware that the possession of drugs is often dealt with very harshly by local and host country law enforcement.

Any alcohol or drug infraction will be considered a grave violation of program policy and may result in a serious sanction, up to and including dismissal from the program.

• In the event of a medical emergency, seek immediate medical treatment, and contact your Director as soon as possible. You may need to ask a friend or medical worker to make this communication.

• In the event of a large scale crisis such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, the most important thing to do is let the program Director know where you are and that you are safe. You may do this through a Facebook page, a phone call, or an email. Follow local guidelines on whether to “shelter-in-place” or avoid certain neighborhoods and/or transport.

• Remember to keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times during an emergency.

• We also recommend contacting your parents: they will inevitably have heard a report of the incident and will be worried about you. The Director will be in contact with the Office for International Study at Smith. Depending on the circumstances, Smith College may contact your family or guardians.