Personal Preparation

 As we advise student participants to do, please note the following general recommendations for personal preparation prior to the program: • Schedule a medical exam and dental checkup.  
• If you are currently taking medications, talk to your physician or nurse practitioner about arrangements for continuing the medications abroad.
• Make two photocopies of the passport page that has your name on it. Leave one copy with someone at home and take the other with you. The copy will make it easier for you to replace your passport if it should be lost or stolen.  
• Be prepared in case of loss or theft of financial resources. Keep important information such as travelers check serial numbers and credit card account and company phone numbers separate from original documents.  
• You may want to consider purchasing supplemental insurance to reimburse you for theft or loss of personal items (personal property insurance), lost expenses due to travel cancellations (travelers insurance), or enrollment in a travel assistance plan (assistance to help you replace lost or stolen travel documents, to local medical assistance while traveling, etc.).  

A comprehensive checklist of health, safety and security items for pre-departure and on-site, is on our website here. Links to an external site.

As on your home campus, your own health care plan will cover you abroad. Depending upon your IU employee status (faculty, staff, full-time, part-time, etc.) you MAY have coverage that includes provisions for medical evacuation and repatriation. You should check your plan coverage (in One.IU search for Employee Center and review your Benefits) to be sure that these are included or enroll in a plan that provides this coverage. [IU staff can enroll in a component of the group health insurance plan made available to student participants in Education Abroad programs.]