Emergency Contacts
If you have an emergency regarding a study abroad or international student during business hours, call the Office of International Programs at (919) 760-2307.
If you have an AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY regarding the health or safety of a study abroad or international student, call Meredith College Campus Police at (919) 760-8888. They will know how to reach someone after hours who can assist you in an emergency.
General Information
The health and safety of students traveling abroad is a top priority for the Office of International Programs at Meredith College.
Your pre-departure handbook is the best resource for health and safety information. Below are a few key points taken from the handbook for you to consider as you prepare to study abroad.
Safety
The Office of International Programs is dedicated to the health and safety of all study abroad program participants. We take every precaution to ensure that all of our programs maintain the highest safety and security standards and remain in frequent contact with program directors abroad. We also consistently monitor several health and safety resources throughout the year:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Department of State Resources for International Travel
- U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings & Worldwide Cautions
- Public Announcements and multiple public news sources
- Reports via Study Abroad Listservs (e.g. NAFSA SECUSS-L)
Prescription Drugs
If you will be taking any type of medicine or prescription drug while traveling, make sure you take a sufficient amount to last you for the entire length of your program. Should your insurance company require a letter verifying that you will be studying abroad, the Office of International Programs can provide one for you.
When taking medication abroad, travel with a prescription written in generic terms. Depending on your destination, you may also need to travel with a letter from your physician outlining the reasons why you are taking a particular medicine. This paperwork will help you transition smoothly through customs and obtain emergency prescriptions from local doctors abroad should the need arise.
Always carry prescription drugs in original containers in your carry-on luggage.
You also should make certain that your medications are both available and legal in the where country you are studying. Your physician, the Office of International Programs, and Cultural Insurance Services International can help you with this process.
Insurance
Meredith College requires all students studying abroad to have adequate international health insurance. There are two options for fulfilling the Meredith insurance requirement:
Insurance through the Office of International Programs
If you are participating on a Meredith faculty-led program, or if you will not receive adequate health insurance coverage through your independent program, you will be required to purchase the Meredith insurance plan provided through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).
The Office of International Programs will enroll all Meredith study abroad participants, and those who elect to purchase CISI coverage, into the plan approximately one month before departure. The cost for insurance will be billed to your student account. Non-Meredith study abroad applicants will receive an invoice for insurance costs.
You can also visit the CISI website for additional online resources and contacts.
Insurance through Your Affiliate Program
If you are pursuing an affiliate program, comprehensive international health insurance will likely be included in your study abroad program fees. If this is the case, you will not be required to purchase the Meredith CISI plan.
