Health & Safety

Health & Safety Information 

You can also find general health and safety information on the Learning Abroad Center website.

Health & Safety Orientation

All students going abroad are required to complete an online Health and Safety Orientation. The enrollment key is: lacabroad. Find the orientation and directions on your checklist. This will be checked off of your checklist within one week of completion. 

COVID-19 Policies 

MSID Thailand program will comply with local public health recommendations. This may include modifications to the program calendar, weekly schedule, classroom environment, course delivery, housing arrangements, transportation policies, and inter-continental or in-country travel restrictions. Below are some of the current program-specific changes, but know that these modifications could change at any time as we get more information: 

Visit our website for updated COVID-19 policies. 

Independent Travel During the Program

Students are allowed to travel to approve regions within Thailand on their own during weekends and breaks. While you are allowed to travel, your travel plans may not disrupt your participation in required academic activities (class, internship, program excursions, etc.). As per University of Minnesota and Learning Abroad Center policy, all students must submit the Independent Travel Form prior to any independent travel while on the program. ISDSI requires that this document be submitted Monday-Friday and at least 48 hours prior to departure. So for example, if you are planning on traveling on a Saturday, you must submit your documentation no later than the end of the day on Wednesday. 

Note, the Independent Travel Form is required so that onsite staff know where you will be and how to get in touch with you should there be an emergency. The Learning Abroad Center takes safety very seriously and as a result, failure to submit this form thus notifying onsite staff of your travel plans will result in disciplinary sanctions and can result in your removal from the program. 

Travel Restrictions During the Program

The US Department of State issues a travel advisory for each country in the world. Thailand is currently at Level 1: Excercise Normal Precautions. However, are some areas of Thailand that are Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) and Level 4 (Do Not Travel) and have been since before the pandemic. Please note that students are not allowed to travel to Level 3 and 4 countries and regions/provinces while on the MSID Thailand program. Level 3 and 4 regions in Thailand include: Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla Province. 

Additionally, due to the fact that the Thai government historically changes entry requirements periodically and without notice, students are not allowed to travel outside of Thailand while on the MSID Thailand program. As a result, students who want to travel outside of Thailand are encouraged to do so after the program. 

On Call International Health Insurance

All students are automatically enrolled in mandatory, University-approved international travel, health, and security insurance through On Call International. Coverage is included with your program fee for the stated program dates. You should and will maintain your US health insurance plan during their time abroad as well. 

The coverage includes prescription medications, clinic visits, and all emergency medical care. For a complete list of benefits and instructions on how to use CISI, visit: https://global.umn.edu/travel/insurance/policy. Below is the contact information for On Call International .

Extending Your Health Insurance for Post-Program Travel

OnCall International, our contracted insurer, does not provide coverage for personal travel. Like On Call International, World Trips is a member of the Tokio Marine group, a global insurance underwriting company. You may wish to consider World Trips and learn more at worldtrips.com. Students participating post-program activities abroad that are related to their academics can register separately for OnCall International; learn more at https://global.umn.edu/travel/insurance/student-process. 

Paying for Medical Expenses Abroad

Should you need to see a doctor or have a medical procedure while abroad, you will need to pay for these services upfront. All students need to bring a credit card to pay for medical expenses abroad. Once you receive your medical receipts, you will be able to submit a claim to On Call International and receive a reimbursement. 


Visit the Resource Hub for more information or to file a claim.

Medications

Remember to pack all of your medications (prescription and over the counter) in your carry-on bag. Bring any over-the-counter medications that you typically take for common ailments such as headaches/migraines, muscle pain, allergies, and motion sickness. It is illegal to mail medications abroad and you may not be able to find the medications you typically take while in Thailand. 

Be sure to carry your medications in their original packaging, and write down the generic names of the medications so they can be clearly identified when you go through customs. For any prescription medications, bring enough medication for the entirety of the program. If you need a letter for your doctor or insurance provider in order to do this, LAC staff can provide you with one.  

Some prescriptions, like Adderall, are illegal in Thailand. Please reach out to us if you have specific questions about your medications. Additionally, please make sure you fill out your health information form fully and completely. We will use it to help prepare you for your time abroad. 

Boynton Travel Clinic

For UMN students, Boynton Travel Clinic is a useful on-campus resource for immunizations and travel medicine: boynton.umn.edu/clinics/travel. 

Malaria Prophylaxis

The Centers for Disease Control lists Chiang Mai as a malarial zone. However, malaria is only found in the remote border regions of Thailand. Most cases of malaria actually occurs in surrounding countries like Burma and Laos. People infected in Burma and Laos will often travel to Thailand for treatment and as a result, those treated are included in the malarial count for Thailand. Learning Abroad Center staff do not take malaria prophylaxis while in Chiang Mai. It is up to you and your doctor to what is best for you, especially if you are considering independent travel to Burma or Laos.

Immunizations

Information about vaccinations for Thailand can be found on the Centers for Disease Control's website. 

We recommend that you schedule an appointment with a travel clinic 6–8 weeks prior to departure to discuss immunizations and any other health needs.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccination and boosters (including recent booster within six months of arrival in Thailand/program start date) are required for participation on the MSID Thailand program. There are numerous reasons for this, but the main reason for this requirement involves onsite participation and academics. Students on the MSID Thailand program are often hosted by local communities and organizations while on excursions and during the research/internship phase. It has become a standard request from these groups that participants show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to be hosted. Unvaccinated students would not be able to participate in excursions, which are a required component of the courses and experiential learning pedagogy. 

Japanese Encephalitis‎ Vaccinations

Japanese encephalitis‎ is fairly common in Thailand, especially in rural areas. We strongly recommend that you get the Japanese encephalitis vaccinations; you'll need two shots that are taken several weeks apart. You have two options for getting the vaccine: