Health and Safety

Students should be aware of some of the risks and problems that can be associated with travel to unfamiliar places, and informed about ways to minimize risk and avoid problems. Below are health and safety information for Harvard students traveling abroad, pre-departure tips, and traveling suggestions.  Also provided is a list of emergency contact people at Harvard Law School and a health and safety checklist.  

Students should be mindful of information about travel to countries on the US Department of State warning list and confirm with their sponsoring program / office that travel to the desired destination will be permitted.

The challenges travelers face will vary from place to place, and may depend on the traveler’s degree of familiarity with the destination.  Nevertheless, it is always important to carefully assess all manner of risks and to act accordingly. Students should use this information for general guidance but tailor preparation and actions to suit their particular situation.

• Health Insurance
• International SOS Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance
• Immunizations
• Other Important Pre-Departure Planning
• Precautions While Traveling
• Crisis Preparedness
• HLS Emergency Contact Information
• Health and Safety Checklist

Health Insurance

All registered Harvard students are automatically enrolled in the student Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) plan.  All the benefits are based on the academic year, August 1 through July 31, and cover you while traveling abroad. If you waived the University’s BCBS Plan, you must check with your insurance provider to see what coverage they provide when traveling abroad.  All of the information below pertains to the University’s BCBS Plan.

Important Travel Abroad Information from Harvard University Health Services 

• General information is available at HUHS Member Services.
• BCBS’s BlueCard Worldwide Service Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Service Center will help you find a BlueCard Worldwide hospital or doctor. The BlueCard Worldwide Service Center may be able to facilitate cashless access for inpatient care.
• Information on hospitals and doctors throughout the world is available at BCBS BlueCard Worldwide or by calling 1.800.810.BLUE (2583) or 1.804.673.1177 (collect from outside the U.S.). 
• Be advised that you may need to pay for services up-front and file for reimbursement later. For international claims filing and payment information, please visit BCBS BlueCard Worldwide.
• If you have questions about your Harvard health insurance coverage while traveling contact BCBS’s Member Services at 1.617.495.2008 or by email to: MServices@huhs.harvard.edu.

Important Health Insurance Contact Information

• HUHS Member Services 1.617.495.2008
• BCBS Massachusetts 1.800.257.8141
• BlueCard Worldwide 1.800.810.BLUE (2583), or 1.804.673.1177 (for collect calls from outside the U.S.)

Other Resources

• The nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can provide a list of local physicians and medical facilities, as can International SOS. 
• The Center for Disease Control provides information relating to health issues for traveling abroad.

International SOS Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance

What is International SOS?

International SOS provides 24-hour, worldwide emergency medical and security evacuation services:

• If you are traveling abroad and need medical care, I-SOS can help you
• If you are in a dangerous location, I-SOS can help to get you out
• For additional services, see below, or visit the I-SOS website.

Who can use International SOS’s services?

When traveling on University business or for a University-related activity, the following types of individuals are eligible:

• All students registered in a degree- or certificate-granting program
• All benefits-eligible Harvard employees and all employees stationed abroad
• Immediate family members (spouse, life partner, dependent children) of the above

What is “University business or a University-related activity”?

Any activity that can be broadly construed as part of your academic or professional work at Harvard, including research, study abroad, attendance at a conference, or even a summer job or internship provided you will be registered at Harvard the following fall. 

What travel is not covered?

Personal travel, including vacations or travel home to visit family. However, students are eligible to purchase discounted I-SOS insurance coverage for personal travel. Please see the I-SOS website for more details.

Does International SOS replace my health insurance?

No!  International SOS is not health insurance.  You should try to pay for the cost of medical care you receive while abroad.  If you are unable to pay, I-SOS can pay for you.  However, Harvard and I-SOS expect reimbursement for this payment, and expect that you will arrange the reimbursement.  Therefore, travelers should familiarize themselves with their insurance provider’s policies on overseas coverage.

What you need to do when you travel abroad

Before you travel abroad

1. Print an International SOS card from the I-SOS website or obtain one from Sara Zucker in Lewis 231.  The card shows Harvard’s SOS member number as well as phone numbers to call in an emergency.
2. Log in to the International SOS website using the Harvard member number (11BSGC000038 which is also noted on your card) and register your trip in the I-SOS Personal Travel Record so you can be reached in case of emergency. 
3. Familiarize yourself with your health insurance provider’s policies on overseas coverage.

If you have an emergency abroad

1. Call International SOS (collect where possible) at the numbers on the back of the membership card.
2. Pay for your medical expenses and collect receipts for reimbursement from your insurer.  If you are unable to pay, I-SOS can pay for you but Harvard will expect to be reimbursed for this payment, so please know your health insurer’s policies on coverage outside the U.S.

When you return

If I-SOS paid for medical care you received when abroad, Harvard will bill you for the cost of that care when it receives an invoice from I-SOS.  If you need help seeking reimbursement from your insurance provider, the Benefits Office can assist you.

Summary of Harvard’s International SOS Benefits

• Medical Assistance Services
• 24-hour access to Int’l SOS physicians who provide emergency and routine medical advice
• 24-hour access to Int’l SOS Alarm Centers for medical information, referrals, and emergency assistance
• Medical and dental referrals
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Medically–supervised repatriation
• Arrangement of ground transportation and accommodation for accompanying family members*
• Assistance with documentation for insurance claims
• Dispatch of prescription medication and medical equipment*

Security Assistance Services

• Security evacuation assistance
• Access to security crisis center

Travel Assistance Services

• Legal referrals
• Emergency message transmission
• Lost document advice and assistance
• Advance of emergency personal cash*
• Emergency translation services

Online Information

• Country guidelines
• Travel Security Reports
• Email notifications                                                                                                         

*Some services may have additional charges.  Costs associated with these services may be the responsibility of the traveler.

Immunizations

Many countries require visitors to have immunizations prior to granting a visa or entry into the country, and you will also want the immunizations for your own health.  Prior to departure you can obtain the necessary medication and immunizations from the Law School Health Service, Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm phone: 1.617.495.4414 (Pound Hall, Room 12) or the UHS Travel Clinic 1.617.495.5182 (Holyoke Center, 3rd Floor). During your pre-trip planning you should consider that some vaccinations must be administered up to 4 to 6 weeks before travel.  Remember to photocopy your immunization record and bring a copy with you when you travel.

If malaria is endemic in the country to which you will be traveling, start and follow your prophylactic malaria treatment conscientiously.

Important Immunization Contact Information
Dottie Wilder, RN
Pound Hall, Room 12
Phone: 1.617.495.4377
Fax: 1.617.495.8090
E-mail: dwilder@uhs.harvard.edu

Other Important Pre-Departure Planning

Prior to departure it is important for you to educate yourself about your destination country. You should also review the relevant U.S. Consular Information Sheet for announcements and travel warnings. International SOS provides country guides and security reports, as does the U.S. Department of State.  Local news websites, guidebooks, or tourist bureaus can also provide good in-depth information on local services, rules, customs, and values.  You should be aware of the prevailing national sentiment toward the U.S. and U.S. citizens in the countries that you will visit.  If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States, you should contact your consulate or embassy for travel advisories and other relevant information, and be aware of how your travel might be perceived.

In addition, you should:
Consider the possible threats to travelers’ safety, when they might occur, and how you might react if you are faced with them.  These include, but are not limited to: physical violence or threats of violence; theft; assault; sexual harassment; traffic accidents; health risks; natural disasters; kidnapping / hostage situations; defamation campaigns; natural disasters; and terrorist activity.

Prepare a list of key telephone numbers you may need and know how to use them.  These should include police, fire, your hotel, and the nearest U.S. (or other relevant) embassy or consulate.  Compile 24-hour contact information for your sponsor/organization, not only office numbers, even if they plan to meet you at the airport, as you or they could be unexpectedly delayed. Know how many digits of the entire phone number are needed to make a local call. Research in advance how to phone the U.S. from a pay phone or house phone from the country where you will be.  A good website is www.countrycallingcodes.com.  Please note that 1-800 numbers will not work from outside the United States.  Check with your credit card company for the alternate number in case you need to report the card lost or stolen. 

Put together a health/first aid kit.  Include water purifying tablets, and re-hydration salts for use in gastrointestinal crisis. Add rubber gloves to protect you from blood-borne infections should you be administering first aid. If you are traveling to a country where hypodermic needles are routinely reused, ask your physician to provide you with a small number of needles and a note to explain they are to be used in the event of your needing intravenous treatment. Take supplies that may not be readily available, for instance, contact lens solution and feminine hygiene products.  If possible, take a first aid course before you go.

Establish an emergency communications plan. Choose an out-of-town contact (e.g., a friend or family member) who will regularly check in with you by phone or e-mail. Make sure your contact has a copy of your main documents such as passport, health insurance, International SOS evacuation services information, and Harvard Law School emergency contacts. Remember that sometimes during emergencies e-mail can get through when calls don’t.

Familiarize yourself with the local language.  Learn some basic phrases and in particular at least the key phrases to seek help for an emergency.  It can also be useful to carry with you such phrases in written form so you can signal the need for assistance.

Take precautions to avoid HIV/STDs. Some countries may require an HIV test before allowing you to enter; check with the embassy or consulate. If you choose to be sexually active abroad, use a condom, preferably treated with a potent spermicide. Women as well as men should bring their own supply of condoms and store them in a dry place away from heat. Educate yourself on the customs, beliefs, and laws of your host country regarding sexual behavior.

Register your travel.  You should register your travel with International SOS and either the U.S. Department of State or your home country’s consulate if you are not an American citizen.

Basic Packing Tips

• Don’t bring anything you would hate to lose, though you might consider purchasing traveler’s insurance for items such as a laptop or digital camera.
• If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. 
• Make two photocopies of important documents such as your visa, airline ticket, driver’s license, passport, and credit cards and leave one copy at home. Pack the second copy separate from the originals.
• Scan a copy of your important documents and e-mail them to your own account.
• Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event that it is lost or stolen.
• Leave at home valuable jewelry, unnecessary credit cards, social security card, library card, etc.
• Pack any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.
• To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers.  Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.  If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug.  If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.
• Put your name, address, and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage.  Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality.  If possible, lock your luggage.
• Bring a guidebook and map.
• Upon arrival, purchase a local cell phone or SIM card that allows you to refill minutes as needed. 

Precautions While Traveling

In addition to pre-departure preparations, travelers should continue to take active precautions after arriving at their destination. The advice below is intended to help travelers minimize health and safety risks while in-country.

Money and Valuables

• Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use credit/debit cards for most purchases if possible. Withdraw money only from well-lit ATMs and in “busy” places.  Carry the minimum number of valuables, and put them in various places rather than all in one wallet or pouch. 
• Do not leave money and other valuables in a hotel room while you are out; use a hotel safe.
• If you are confronted, don't fight back — give up your valuables.
• Avoid handbags, fanny packs, and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves.  Keep cameras in bags or pockets rather than in plain view.
• If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police.  Keep a copy of the police report for insurance claims and as an explanation of your plight. After reporting missing items to the police, report the loss or theft of:

⇒ travelers’ checks to the nearest agent of the issuing company
⇒ credit cards to the issuing company
⇒ airline tickets to the airline or travel agent
⇒ passport to the nearest U.S. (or relevant) embassy or consulate

Transportation 

• Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs. Also, avoid cabs where the cab driver’s friend is in the front passenger seat.
• Travel with others and avoid traveling at night if possible.
• If your internship or research requires travel within the country, leave a copy of your itinerary with your supervisor or other appropriate person.
• Consult your host on the most reliable local transport. If you are driving, make sure the car has a spare tire, a jack, and that you know how to change the tire on that type of car. 
• Do not hitchhike and do not pick up hitchhikers.
• If encountering checkpoints is a standard part of travel in the country:

⇒ assume the people staffing the checkpoint are armed
⇒ always slow down as soon as a checkpoint comes into sight and put on the car lights, both inside and out, so you are visible
⇒ when your documents are examined it is desirable that you maintain possession of them throughout the proceedings
⇒ whatever the procedures, and they may take a long time, maintaining patience and good humor is important; avoid arguments or confrontations

Accommodations

• Avoid staying in the first and top floors of hotels and hostels to prevent easy access for thieves.
• The U.S. Department of State also warns that in many communities fire equipment may not reach above the 7^th floor. 

General Behavior

• Be aware of body language and other non-verbal signs — both your own and those of others.
• Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer to be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices.  Be aware of other common ploys to distract tourists such as spills or requests for assistance.
• Try to seem purposeful when you move about and be careful at all times.
• Be cautious about discussing personal matters with strangers, including your itinerary, place of lodging, or mode of transportation.
• Do not accept any kind of food or drink from strangers, even if the container appears to be sealed.
• Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
• Be aware of dress codes and what constitutes appropriate attire.  In some parts of the world anti-American feeling is strong, so don’t wear clothing that makes you an American billboard.
• Your ethnicity may provoke curiosity or even mild hostility.  Be careful about discussion of political and religious issues, particularly in public places.
• Remember that use of alcohol and drugs greatly increases risk of accidents and injury.

Local Laws and Customs

• Remember you will be subject to the laws of the country to which you are traveling; also remember that you are a guest in the country and a representative of Harvard Law School.
• Though you may not agree with prevailing opinion in the country on various issues, remember to be respectful in expressing your views and bear in mind with whom you are speaking.
• Be aware of and respect local norms in dressing, social relations between men and women, social consumption of alcohol, etc. Tank tops, shorts, and tight-fitting clothes may be seen as inappropriate, disrespectful, or intentionally provocative.
• Be aware that in some countries it is not permitted to take photographs of security-related institutions such as police stations, government buildings, and military installations. 

Post-Conflict Countries 

• Be aware that land mines are a continuing threat to life and limb in many places.
• Wandering from paved roads or exploring abandoned military installations when you are sightseeing can be lethal.

Risk-tolerance tends to creep up. It is well known that expatriates over time get a little blasé about security and even start to take foolish risks. Be cautious and trust your own judgment even though an ex-pat may claim, “I do that all the time.” 

Crisis Preparedness

The U.S. Department of State provides information on crisis preparedness, including how to register your travel with US embassies or consulates. International SOS also provides emergency information and services. Please see the section on International SOS above.

HLS Emergency Contact Information

If you experience an emergency while traveling and need to contact someone at HLS, the following list notes the appropriate people:

Health and Safety Checklist