Health, Safety, and Security
The health and safety of students abroad is of utmost importance to the University at Buffalo and UB Education Abroad.
In order to facilitate management of risks, the Education Abroad staff takes a number of measures to help promote proactive planning and safety while abroad.
These measures include:
- Daily monitoring of world-wide situations affecting US students abroad using reliable sources
- Individual advising around health and safety concerns
- Individual and group training prior to program departure
- Up to date and relevant online resources and training
- Emergency planning and response
- Good communication with students, faculty advisors, campus staff, overseas partners, parents, on-site staff, etc.
- Comprehensive international insurance coverage to all participants.
Life is filled with risks, but we try to minimize these risks on our programs. Although no one can guarantee safety or security in any part of the world, international travel can be very safe, especially if one takes specific steps to prepare for it.
General Preparedness - Physical and Mental Health
The UB Education Abroad application portal also includes a special health, safety, and security module that students can use to begin planning for their time abroad. It provides resources and guiding questions related to a variety of health, safety, and security topics, including issues related to cultural adjustment, identity abroad, water safety, and general personal wellness. UB Education Abroad professional staff are available to meet privately with sttudents to discuss any questions or concerns that they may have about their upcoming study abroad experience.
- Student Health Information Form – part of the post-decision documents in the online application portal. Be sure it is completed and discuss it with your primary physician (including prescription medications).
- Make sure you have enough medication for the length of your stay, prescription refills may be hard to obtain abroad.
- Sometimes the stress of culture shock can aggravate pre-existing depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns – discuss with your treatment provider and make a coping plan ahead of time.
- Be aware and informed about communicative diseases that may be impacting the world regions you are traveling to:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Once a student has been accepted to a program, there will be additional opportunities for students to discuss any health and wellness concerns with UB Education Abroad professional staff or healthcare professionals at UB.
International Health Insurance
All students participating in a UB or Other SUNY education abroad program are enrolled in a SUNY-approved UnitedHealthcare (UHC) international insurance plan. This plan is required by SUNY. The cost of this comprehensive plan is included in the program fee and billed to the student account. This program includes many important benefits, including
- Preventative Care
- Primary Care Office Visits
- Urgent Care Visits
- Emergency Care
- Inpatient/Outpatient Hospital Care
- Mental Health Services
- Required Immunizations
- Prescription Drugs
- Labs and Imaging
- Ambulance
- Maternity and Nursery Care for a Covered Pregnancy
- Medical, Political, and Natural Disaster Evacuation and Repatriation
The plan does not have any minimum deductible or co-pays. Additional information about this required plan will be provided during the UB Education Abroad Pre-Departure orientation.
UB Traveler Assist and International SOS
The University at Buffalo offers all UB faculty, staff, and students access to UB Traveler Assist. UB Traveler Assist, powered by International SOS, underscores the university's commitment to safety, security, and well-being. The University at Buffalo has partnered with International SOS to offer access to round-the-clock medical, mental health, security support, and evacuation services for students, faculty, and staff traveling domestically and internationally on behalf of UB. This service provides many benefits, including:
- 24/7 Support: Access world-class medical and security professionals anytime, anywhere.
- Pre-Travel Guidance: Get tailored tools and advice to prepare for your travels, including health and safety insights specific to your destination.
- Emergency Assistance: Receive prompt and professional help during medical or security incidents, including evacuation if needed.
- Peace of Mind: Travel confidently, knowing you have a trusted partner to rely on in uncertain situations.
The UB Education Abroad team reigsters all UB study abroad program participants in this service. Students are provided with additional information for activating their accounts and setting up the International SOS app. This app allows studentsEven though we hope travelers never have to use this app, we know the world is an unpredictable place. We want all students who go abroad to be aware of the possible dangers that could affect their studies at any given time.
Students can find more information about UB Traveler Assist and International SOS through their UB study abroad application portal (simply log into www.buffalo.edu/educationabroad). We look forward to supporting your safety as you embark on the experience of a lifetime through studying abroad!
In the event of an emergency abroad that affects the location where we have students, our office will send check-in requests (asking students to confirm their safety) via email and through the International SOS app. This app will allow students to respond with the touch of a button.
Personal Safety Abroad
Study abroad students can be perceived as easy targets. We strongly suggest you to be aware, be careful, and use common sense at all times.
No matter how safe you feel and how trusting you are, you must always stay mentally alert so that you make wise decisions.
Be especially cautious at night. Avoid public demonstrations and large gatherings of people.
Realize that you are easily identified as a tourist and might be targeted for that reason. You can minimize risks and avoid obvious dangers by keeping a low profile.
We encourage students to be responsible with alcohol and other substances while studying abroad.
- Harm reduction – be mindful of the potential risks of using too much alcohol or other substances in an unfamiliar environment.
- Don’t go out drinking by yourself, have a buddy system in place.
- Don’t accept beverages from people that you don’t know, the drink may be spiked.
- Hold on to your glass, don’t leave it unattended or let other people hold it.
- Don’t leave intoxicated friends alone or with strangers.
- Beware that medical assistance can be harder to get in case of alcohol poisoning abroad.
Useful Resources:
If you experience sexual misconduct while abroad, please know there are resources for reporting and support at UB for students who seek assistance. Whether or not you report an incident, UB's offers assistance and support including:
- A confidential advocate who can work with you to identify options, advocate for you and help to coordinate services and support
- Counseling
- Medical treatment
- Assistance with housing relocation
- Assistance with academic accommodations
The provides information on:
- Options for Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence
- Sexual Violence Response Policy
- Student Bill of Rights
- Pathways to Safety
Diversity Abroad Resources
Map of sexual orientation laws around the world.
Students identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex or queer should be prepared to encounter new and different attitudes concerning sexual orientations and identities. The atmosphere surrounding LGBTQ rights and issues in each country or region is determined by numerous cultural, religious and political factors. The best way to avoid problems that cause discomfort or danger is to become familiar with the prevailing attitudes before departing for study abroad.
Travelling as a gay student may pose some problems. In order to make your journey as safe and enjoyable as possible, it is important to be cautious in some parts of the world. Such areas include Poland, Mauritius, the Middle East (excepting Turkey), Trinidad, Jamaica, Indonesia, Malaysia and Chechnya, as well as some African countries. These countries have anti-homosexuality laws which reflect cultural attitudes which may pose a threat to your safety while travelling through or visiting.
We also recommend students become familiar with .
For more information, please visit:
Students with seen or unseen disabilities are underrepresented in study abroad programs throughout the U.S. Travelling can be difficult for those living with a disability, but there are resources available to aid students who wish to explore the world regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional/behavioral challenges. With the proper research, preparation and care, every student can have the opportunity to expand their education internationally.
(MIUSA) provides resources, advice and support to students of various ability impairments seeking to study abroad.