Parents and Families of Student Travelers

Global Safety and Health recognizes the important roles parents and families play in students’ lives and education. We are happy to speak to parents and family to answer questions pertaining health and safety while abroad.

Vanderbilt Global Safety and Health always places students at the center of our resources and services, and we view students’ ownership of the logistical preparation for study abroad as an important part of their growth experience. To maintain a student-centered approach, our communication with parents and families will be guided by the following principles:

• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) limits Vanderbilt staff in our ability to give out private information regarding students, such as grades, program participation, student status, health details, and other details. While we cannot reveal information about students, we can discuss our programs and logistics.
• Unless the student’s safety is in jeopardy, Vanderbilt Global Safety and Health cannot honor requests to conceal the content of conversations with family members from the student.
• Except in cases where it might jeopardize a student’s health or well-being, the student will always be copied on email responses to family members.
• Global Safety and Health does not engage in extended discussions with anonymous callers.

Depending on the country your student is traveling to and the agreements between that country and your student's home country, a visa may or may not be required. If a visa is required for entry, students will receive detailed visa instructions from Vanderbilt's program partner or from a Vanderbilt Study Abroad advisor. Visa applications often request financial information, a copy of roundtrip flight ticketed itinerary, and may also require an in-person interview at the relevant consulate. Students should read through all provided instructions carefully before beginning the application process. International students should also plan to meet with their ISSS advisor during the application process. While program partners and Vanderbilt Study Abroad may help students come to grips with the visa process, students are ultimately responsible for procuring their own visa in order to study abroad.

It is important to note that in some cases, students may need to secure a residence permit to live in their host country. This generally happens after the student arrives in country.

Without exception, students traveling internationally as part of their Vanderbilt University experience are covered by Vanderbilt's international insurance.

• Students travelling on Vanderbilt Study Abroad programs will be covered by Vanderbilt's international health insurance between the start and end dates of their program. The cost of this enrollment is included in the overall cost of the student's study abroad program.
  • Vanderbilt Study Abroad will enroll your student automatically, so there is no need for any action on their part. Students will receive their insurance card via their Vanderbilt email account.
• Students travelling as part of a faculty-led cohort, student-led cohort, or travel embedded course will be automatically enrolled in Vanderbilt's international insurance for the duration of their time abroad. There is no need for any action on their part. Students will receive their insurance card via their Vanderbilt email account. 
• Students travelling independently for research, immersion projects, capstones, or scholar projects will need to enroll in a plan with Vanderbilt's international insurance provider. Enrollment instructions can be found here.

Additionally, Vanderbilt's international insurance may be utilized in any international location throughout a student's enrollment period. Should a student abroad on a Vanderbilt program choose to travel outside of their program location, they will still have access to the full benefits of their insurance coverage. 

Students need to maintain their domestic health coverage while they are abroad, to prevent lapse in coverage and to ensure that they can access care should they need to return home.

More information on Vanderbilt's international health insurance

Students will have access to multiple types of local clinics (eye, dental, physical health, mental health, etc.) and pharmacies while abroad.

Study abroad students may reach out to VU Global Safety and Health, VIRT, or their on-site provider for assistance in finding and making an appointment at a clinic. In most cases on-site providers have relationships with clinics in the area, which have English speaking doctors and nurses available. Some study abroad students may be dual enrolled at a local university with a private clinic they may use. 

Students travelling independently or as part of a cohort, may contact VU Global Safety and Health or VIRT for assistance in locating a provider on-site. 

Vanderbilt's Global Safety and Health team offers comprehensive safety support for students abroad, including 24/7/365 assistance in times of crisis or emergency.

Please know, due to FERPA and HIPAA regualtions, the VIRT team members will be unable to give you specific information regarding your student without their explicit consent.

Find more information on our Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel (VIRT) page.

One of the potential benefits for students who study abroad is an increased level of resilience. As with any impactful experience that results in personal growth, uncertainties and challenges are to be expected for even the most accomplished students and seasoned travelers. These challenges and setbacks are catalysts for growth, and students will learn best when they can confront issues on their own and find their own creative solutions to the difficulties they face.

Unless you believe the health, safety, and/or wellbeing of your student is threatened, we recommend that you encourage your student to solve problems on their own, while providing appropriate emotional support.

The Global Safety and Health team is here to students before traveling abroad. We provide students with a number of resources designed to prepare them for their time abroad such as: country safety and security information, guidance on transferring support systems abroad, briefs on identity concerns in-country, pre-departure orientations, and individualized advising. 

Pre-Departure Touchpoints:

• Study Abroad and VTRAC
  • All students are required to notify Global Safety and Health of their international travel through Study Abroad or VTRAC
    • Students traveling as part of a Study Abroad program, travel-embedded course, or faculty-led cohort are automatically recorded.
    • Students travelling independently on behalf of Vanderbilt University are required to record their international travel with VTRAC
• Travel Registration and ANVIL
  • All students travelling internationally are required to register their flight itineraries with Vanderbilt's international security provider ANVIL
• Student Health Disclosures for International Travel
  • All students are asked to complete a health disclosure prior to their travel abroad. This notifies Global Safety and Health of any potential concerns the student may have about their wellbeing while abroad. 
• Pre-Departure Course and Advising
  • All students travelling on a Vanderbilt Study Abroad program, travel-embedded course, or as part of a faculty-led cohort are required to complete a pre-departure provided by Global Safety and Health. The course covers resources about personal safety planning, in-country experience, and responding to crises. 

Vanderbilt University is only able to provide parents, guardians, and families information about a program that is publically available.

Students on study abroad programs will receive program specific emergency information after arriving at their study abroad locations. They are welcome to share this information with their parents, guardians, or families if they choose to do so.