Health & Safety Abroad
The Study Abroad Office is committed to ensuring the safety and health of Northwestern students as they study abroad. We highly recommended that you use the resources below when considering your study abroad plans.
Monitoring World Events
Northwestern monitors Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings issued by the U.S. State Department. This page provides an overview of the precautionary procedures that the Study Abroad Office follows when such a posting is issued.
International SOS
Northwestern requires all study abroad students to register with International SOS. This free service provides students with access to an array of health, safety and other vitally important travel information and email alerts.
Study Abroad Health Insurance
Northwestern requires all students to have HTH health insurance coverage for the period of time they are studying and traveling abroad. This page explains the requirement more fully.
Mental Health Abroad
Northwestern has many resources for students with mental health conditions, including those who are planning to study abroad. Information about the unique challenges one might face abroad, what to consider when discussing study abroad options, and how to determine if support services are available abroad are found in this section.
Before Departure
- Read any pre-departure information that you receive from the Study Abroad Office, your program provider and/or on-site director.
- Visit the Northwestern University Travel Health Services for information on immunizations and to schedule a travel consultation appointment. Some countries require that you get immunizations well in advance of your trip.
- Explore the resources provided by International SOS, the U.S. State Department's Travel Information and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Travelers' Health.
While Abroad
- Follow the advice of the on-site staff.
- Stay abreast of local conditions.
- Seek additional information regarding your study abroad country and any other countries to which you plan to travel.
- Monitor your own health.
- Stay in touch with your program, the Northwestern Study Abroad Office, International SOS, and your parents, should a crisis arise.
