Global Safety and Health FAQs

Vanderbilt's Global Safety and Health (GSH) team is here to ensure every traveler has the support they need when travelling abroad. This includes access to registered VU accommodations. 

It is important to remember accommodations are not a one-to-one transfer to an international context. Differences in culture, city layouts, and law all impact what accommodations may be available to a traveler on-site. In some cases, while equivalent to accommodations back home, the accommodations available in their host country and how they are accessed may be markedly different from what a traveler may be used to. Additionally, not every country has a legal equivalent of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), and some countries may not legally recognize groups with accessibility and mobility needs as requiring special protections. 

However, the GSH team will do their best to develop a support plan that meets a traveler's registered VU accommodation while they are on-site. 

1. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply outside of the United States, and a traveler's right to academic and personal accommodations may not be legally recognized in their program destination. 
2. Not all accommodations are available abroad

Accommodations students receive while abroad are determined by Vanderbilt Univeristy Student Access Services, your lisenced care providers, and on-site availability. 

The following may not be considered a reasonable accommodation: 

1. Roommate requests
   • Accommodations requiring a student be placed with a specified friend who is able to care for them and/or provide consistent physical/mental health support 
2. Commute time
   • Accommodations which limit commute time without the need for mobility supports
   • Example: accommodations which state a student should have a shorter commute time due to anxiety
3. Single/private suites, bathrooms, or kitchens
4. Dietary restrictions that do not cause anaphylaxsis
   • Dietary needs which can be met by preparing your own food
5. Houshold conveniences such as:
   • Central air conditioning
   • Elevators
   • Full kitchens, ovens, multi-burner stoves, and/or dishwashers
   • In-building laundry and/or clothes dryers 
6. Schedule restriction and academic availability
   • Accommodations which limit what times or days you are able to engage with academic settings or content) 
   • Example: accommodations which state a student may not be enrolled in a class that begins prior to 10am or after 5pm

Continuing care plans are a general outline of the types of self-care performed at home and how they will transfer into an international context. 

Continuing care plans are not one-size-fits-all, and should be developed in conjunction with you, your care providers, and the VU Global Safety and Health team. 

A continuing care plan should consider the following: 

• Mental health 
• Physical health 
• Academic and personal accommodations
• Stress reduction techniques 
• Sustainability of self-care strategies 

If you regularly see a physician or mental health professional you will need to do the same while abroad to ensure there is no lapse in your personal care.

Students travelling internationally are asked to submit a Student Health Disclosure prior to their travel. Submitting a health disclosure prompts Vanderbilt University's Global Safety and Health (GSH) team to contact them to discuss their care while abroad. 

Travelers receiving the following types of care are strongly encouraged to reach out to the GSH team to discuss continuing care while abroad: 

• Mental health counselling 
• Physician administered treatments 
• Biologic & controlled medications 
• Physical therapies 
• Procedure aftercare
  • Recent surgeries or medical interventions requiring regular shortterm follow-up
• Medical Aids & Equiptment
  • Mobility & accessibility aids
  • Medical support devices such as insulin and pain pumps 
• Allergies which cause anaphylaxsis

When thinking about how to transition our self-care to an international location we should consider: 

• Resources in your location 
• Cultural and social differences 
• Differences in care resources and treatments available 
• Sustainability of self-care practices 

Medical and mental health care do not cross international borders. The types of care available, the approach of medical & mental health professionals, and treatments all may look different in your host country. 

Vanderbilt University's international insurance provider, GeoBlue, offers a Pre-departure Program to help travelers prepare for what to expect from care in their home country. All VU travelers are strongly encouraged to participate.