Health, Safety & Security Abroad

Recent developments in national and international security issues necessitate that you respect safety recommendations and security policies established by your sponsoring organization and the US Embassy in the country of your destination. Remain attentive to information provided to you and stay in contact with your program, Colby College, and your family throughout the duration of your study abroad program. You and your family can monitor State Department updates and review Colby College updates and policies.

In the unusual event that a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning is issued for your country of destination prior to your departure, the student will be required to submit a petition to Off-Campus Study, and sign a second waiver in order to proceed as planned.

If a country goes under U.S. Department of State Travel Warning while the program is already in session students will not be required to return, as long as the program provider they are with indicates it is safe to remain. 

For a listing of countries currently under Travel Warning consult the U.S. State Department website.

Country-Specific Security Information
Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets

Take appropriate health precautions, particularly if you are going to a developing country. Check with your program sponsors to determine what inoculations may be needed. Be aware that many of these inoculations must be obtained several weeks prior to departure.

For H1N1 updates and plans, please check with the program or university with which you are studying abroad and follow the CDC Guidelines.

Health Insurance
Students attending both Colby and non-Colby programs abroad should review their major medical insurance policy with their parents and confirm that it will provide coverage while abroad. Also be sure to review procedures for filing claims.

Students on Colby programs will be required to show proof of their insurance policy by submitting a letter from their insurance carrier stating that they are covered abroad.

Whether you are attending a Colby or non-Colby program, if you and your parents have determined that your insurance coverage will not extend to the overseas program site and there is no possibility of purchasing a rider to extend coverage, you can consider purchasing a policy with Cross Insurance by contacting 1-800-0537-6444 ext. 211 or www.crossagency.com.  Be sure to specify that you are a Colby student.

Travel Insurance
Colby College does not provide for any travel insurance for students studying abroad.  However, the College highly recommends that, in addition to your primary insurance, all students studying and travelling abroad on both Colby and non-Colby programs purchase supplementary travel insurance through iNext.  You can purchase an iNext card on-line. Simply create an account online and follow the prompts to select your level of coverage, complete your profile, upload a digital photograph, and make your purchase. Your card will be sent to you the following business day. You will also be able to print a confirmation of insurance directly from the iNext website.

This supplementary insurance offers benefits such as accident and sickness expenses, emergency medical transportation, 24-hour medical, legal and travel assistance, and travel document replacement. Three plans are offered, varying in cost from $25 - $85 for one year of coverage. Students attending Colby programs in Dijon, Salamanca, and St. Petersburg are required to purchase at least the iNext Basic card at a rate of $25.  It is important to understand that, as with any travel insurance policy, this coverage is secondary to your primary medical coverage and certain exclusions may apply.

If you have any questions about the iNext travel insurance coverage or how to purchase a card online, please feel free to contact Laurie Duston, iNext manager, via telephone or email.

Laurie Duston
Manager, iNext
(207) 553-4039
info@inext.com

Emergency Information
We suggest that you prepare all your emergency contacts and information in one plance so it is handy when needed. You may download this Student Emergency Information Card as a tool to help you keep track of all the important numbers you may need.