SIA Health & Safety

Your health and safety are Texas State’s top priority while you are participating in a Study in America or Off-Campus program. You will find important information below concerning your health and safety while participating in one of our faculty-led programs.

Before You Go

Orientation Sessions

If you are participating in a Texas State faculty-led Study in America program, be sure to attend the pre-departure orientation sessions, which will provide you with extensive information about your specific program. The more information you have prior to departure, the greater your chances for a successful and less stressful experience.

Be Aware of Legal Information Specific to Your Destination

While you are participating in the program, local, state, and federal law will apply to your actions.

Be aware that the University’s Code of Student Conduct is expressly enforced during Study in America programs. Though discipline problems have been at a minimum in the past, students occasionally have been dismissed from programs because of misconduct. If you are dismissed by the Academic Program Director (APD), you will lose credits, there will be no refund, your discipline records at Texas State may be affected, and your continued stay—should you choose to stay—as well as your return home will be at your own expense. You will not be allowed to remain at the program’s location or to participate in the program in any way.

Be Sure a Loved One Has All Program Information

For each student participant, OXP encourages a parent, family member, or loved one to have all of the current program information in case of emergency.  This information would include travel itinerary and contact information.

Make Travel Preparations

Minimize unexpected difficulties during your program by making some simple preparations.

  • Always travel with some emergency cash and credit cards, and secure this currency—for example, in a hidden pocket in your clothing, or in a neck pouch under clothing—to guard against theft. Often in emergency situations, cash payment is required prior to receiving treatment.
  • Pack an extra change of clothes, your medications, and essentials in carry-on luggage. In the event of lost luggage or travel delays, you will have your essentials. Be sure those items meet Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards; visit the TSA Web site and read “What to Know Before You Go.”
  • Always carry a list of emergency contacts—include your loved ones, your Academic Program Director (APD) or program representative, your health insurance provider, local police if appropriate for your location, the Texas State University Police Department (UPD), and Online & Extended Programs.  Do not rely solely on numbers in your cell phone, since your cell phone may become disabled.
  • Sign up to receive flight status updates from your airline, and confirm your flight information before you depart for the airport. Report any changes in your itinerary to your APD or program representative, and to your family and loved ones.

Medical Recommendations

Visit Your Doctor

Some programs and travel can be physically and medically rigorous, OXP strongly advises that you have a physical examination to receive assurance from your doctor that you are able to travel. Ask your doctor if they recommends that you receive any inoculations (vaccines or treatments) prior to your trip. Also check the Center for Disease Control Web site to determine what inoculations are recommended or required, and refer to the following section.

Immunizations and Allergy Information

Some states, regions, or private facilities may require that visitors receive certain vaccinations prior to arrival, so double-check on the requirements of your destination.

If you have allergies or other medical conditions, check with your doctor to ensure your medical or health needs can be addressed during your travels.

Secure Medications

If you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, be sure you have an adequate supply for the duration of your time away from home. Securing prescription or non-prescription medications while you are traveling can be difficult or impossible, depending on the location of your program. All medications, including over-the-counter medications, should be clearly labeled and in the original containers.

Become Familiar with Your Insurance Coverage

If you are participating in a Texas State Study in America program, you have health insurance and travel assistance coverage through On Call International. Become familiar with On Call International services prior to departure, and determine if the medical services are sufficient to meet your needs. If you determine that the services are insufficient, you may need to take out an additional policy so that you have adequate coverage while traveling.

Please see below for more information on On Call International. 

Stay Informed about Health and Safety

In addition to the suggestions above, OXP recommends that, in preparing for your experience, you view the free video series Health and Safety.

The following resources will provide you with additional and current information about health and safety issues:

Non-Emergency Situations

What Are Non-Emergency Situations?

Examples of non-emergency situations are minor illnesses or injuries, difficulties with roommates or housing, or problems with program coursework.

Assistance with Non-Emergency Situations

If you are participating in a faculty-led program, your faculty leader, the Academic Program Director, will normally be able to assist you. In other cases, your program may be with a third-party provider that may also have on-site staff to assist you. If you need non-emergency medical assistance, you can contact your medical insurance company for help in locating a health care provider in your location.

Emergency Situations

What is an emergency?

An emergency is an urgent, usually unanticipated situation or occurrence that threatens your health or safety and requires immediate action.

Examples of emergencies include the following:

  • Severe illness or injury
  • Crime victim
  • Arrest
  • Civil unrest or natural disaster

Whom to Contact in an Emergency

In case of an emergency, your Academic Program Director (APD) or on-site program support staff will normally be able to assist you. 

If you are unable to reach either the APD or the on-site support staff at the moment of your need, for all medical emergencies, you normally should first contact On Call International or your medical insurance provider. Be prepared for an emergency situation by becoming familiar with the emergency services your insurance and travel assistance providers offer for your location. 

When making an emergency phone call, always first state the phone number where you can be reached and your location, in case you become disconnected or your call is interrupted. 

On Call International Insurance

On Call International provides students emergency and non-emergency services and benefits. Services apply when over 100 miles from home participating in a Study in America program.

Key features:

  • Medical, travel, and security assistance including insured evacuation services
  • Medical expense coverage on a secondary basis
  • Coordination of non-emergency and emergency medical care
  • Coordination of travel arrangements for you or a person you designate for certain emergency circumstances such as your hospitalization
  • Travel monitoring app and critical event intelligence alerts

Download the policy description and ID card below prior to participating in your Study in America program. 

Get in Touch

If you need medical, security, or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, contact On Call 24 hours a day while participating in your Study in America program.

1-855-226-8499

Call toll-free from US or Canada

603-945-0103

Text only number

On Call Orientation for Texas State University System