When Lasell students study abroad, their health, safety and security are the top priority for the Office of International Education. There are always inherent risks in international travel and while Lasell cannot guarantee student safety abroad, every reasonable precaution is taken to enhance the safety of our students.
The Office of International Education, in collaboration with the study abroad providers, offers in-person meetings, program-specific resources, and pre-departure and in-country orientations, which provide students the information required to be independent, safe, and responsible global citizens.
We encourage you to review the resources below.
Study abroad is both extremely rewarding and can be a time of some challenges as students adjust to new schedules, routines, eating habits, and unfamiliar cultural norms. It is important for students to prepare to manage their health prior to departure and throughout their experience abroad.
Students should you may have. All students enrolled in a study abroad program review and sign a waiver of liability prior to their departure, which covers the legal, academic, and cultural differences involved in foreign study.
Some form of health insurance is required for students who study abroad.
- Students who participate in an approved study abroad program through a study abroad program provider will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance provided by the program. There is no additional cost for this coverage and it lasts for the duration of the program. Further details regarding the plans are provided to the student after acceptance into a program, and can also be found on the study abroad programs' respective websites.
- Some of Lasell's direct-enroll study abroad programs do not offer health insurance so students are required to submit a letter from their insurance company certifying that they have international coverage. These programs include Lasell's partner institutions: Franklin University, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, and Universidad Veracruzana, in addition to London College of Fashion, Paris American Academy, Charles University, and the American College of Greece.
- Students who have enrolled in Lasell University's Student Health Insurance Plan have international health insurance coverage.
If you have any questions regarding health insurance, please contact the Office of International Education.
Many travelers must carry their medicines with them across international borders to treat chronic or serious health problems. However, each country has its own guidelines about which medicines are legal.
Medicines that are commonly prescribed or available over the counter in the United States could be considered unlicensed or controlled substances in other countries. While rules vary from country to country, there can be serious consequences if you violate the laws of the country you're visiting. These consequences can range from confiscation (removal) of your medicine, which could harm your medical treatment, to stiff penalties, including imprisonment on charges for drug trafficking.
Students planning to bring their prescription or over-the-counter medicine for study abroad are encouraged to consult the following resources:
Study abroad program providers will supply health and medical information after acceptance into a program; information can also be found on the Mobility International website.
Some suggestions to consider:
- Bring an adequate supply of prescription medication to last the full term abroad.
- Do not ship medications as they are likely to be held up in customs for an extended period of time or not arrive at all.
- Bring medications in their original labeled containers along with copies of prescriptions.
- Know the generic names of medications.
- Students with allergies or dietary needs are encouraged to carry a translation card of their allergies.
Students with physical, emotional or learning disabilities will likely need to take special measures when planning a study abroad experience. Appropriate accommodations and facilities that are commonplace in the United States may not be available in all locations. Students should discuss their needs with the Office of International Education or their selected study abroad program as far in advance as possible for guidance.
Students are encouraged to explore these additional resources:
All students participating in a study abroad program must attend the Pre-Departure Orientation which is normally held on Reading Day during the semester before they depart. The exact date and time will be announced to student well in advance of their departure.
This orientation covers critically important information regarding health, safety, and cultural adjustment issues as well as important Lasell procedures, such as enrollment and credits. Orientation is facilitated by Office of International Education staff and returned study abroad students known as Global Ambassadors.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. government to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. STEP allows Americans abroad to receive updates from the nearest embassy or consulate and allows the Department of State to better assist you in an emergency.
Travelers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and identities commonly associated with this community can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. While the international acceptance of people of the LGBTQ+ community is growing, there are still many countries that have strict laws that dictate how this community is expected to (or not to) exist. Larger cities are more inclined to have more LGBTQ+ spaces due to the size of the population. As in all cases, it is important to consider your safety while studying and traveling abroad. The LGBTQ+ community exists across the globe and having accessibility to that network while abroad can provide support and enhance your experience.
LGBTQ+ study abroad students are encouraged to review the following resources:
Department of State Information
Travel Tips
Maps
- LGBTQIA Study Abroad Interactive Map: This interactive map, designed by the UC Davis, profiles each country through the laws impacting their LGBTQIA communities, local organizations providing LGBTQIA advocacy or support, and multimedia resources about LGBTQIA identities in the region.
- Equaldex: Collaborative LGBT knowledge base with information on countries around the world.
- Spartacus Gay Travel Index
Airport and Passport Information
Hear From Other Students' Perspectives
Scholarships
- Pride Foundation Scholarships: Pride Foundation is able to offer more than 50 scholarships through one application, which encourage students of different backgrounds and educational interests to apply. Scholarships are organized in four distinct categories: academic pursuits, community leadership, cultural identities, and geography.
- Go Abroad has compiled 12 study abroad scholarships for LGBT students. In order to support LGBT students who are ready to take on the challenge of studying abroad, many organizations, institutions, and associations have established study abroad scholarships to specifically provide financial assistance to LGBT students.
- Fund for Education Abroad FEA offers a Rainbow Scholarship to a deserving LGBTQ+ student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
Additional Resources and Considerations
Questions to Consider
- What are the laws regarding my identity in my host country?
- What housing would I feel most comfortable in? Have I communicated that to my advisor?
- Is there a club or organization at the university I'm attending that is related to my identity?
- Is there a local community that puts on events or frequents regular businesses?
Additional Resources
- Always carry the emergency contact numbers for your on-site coordinator, the U.S. embassy/consulate, and the police.
- Stay informed of the current political situation in your host country by using the local media. Consult the U.S. Department of State travel advisories.
- Use alcohol wisely and never use illegal drugs. Impaired judgment puts you at increased risk for accident, injury, and crime.
- Do not walk alone at night.
- Be aware of local laws and act in a responsible manner.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Know your local 911. For a full list of emergency numbers abroad, visit 911 Abroad
- Ask the on-site program staff for location specific health and safety advice.
At Pre-Departure Orientation, students are provided with the emergency number of their study abroad program and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
In the case of an emergency, students should contact the local emergency assistance number provided by the study abroad program on-site staff.Students may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their study abroad location by using this site www.usembasy.gov/ or calling these numbers:
- Call 24/7 Assist US Consular Affairs Services collect from Abroad: 1-202-501-4444
- If calling from the USA: 1-888-407-4747
In the event of a student emergency, terrorism attack, political crisis, or natural disaster, the Office of International Education staff will be in close contact with students who are potentially impacted, study abroad program providers, parents/guardians, medical and security insurance providers, and/or US Embassies and Consulates as necessary. Students and parents may also contact Lasell's Office of International Education at 617-243-2398 or studyabroad@lasell.edu. If calling outside of business hours of Monday- Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, please contact the Lasell University Campus Safety at 617-243-2279. Provide a phone number for call back and as much detail as possible about the emergency situation.
Study Abroad Program Health & Safety Sites
