Other Information for Tufts Programs Abroad

Health and Study Abroad
Students with certain medical issues should think carefully about the advisability of studying abroad. Having a mental health or medical issue is nothing to be ashamed of! However, it is important to fully understand the implications of foreign study for your condition. Psychiatric conditions can be especially difficult to handle during a study-abroad semester or year. Cultural differences in mental health care can limit resources available to students. Access to counseling services and psychiatric medication can be limited in many countries. The use of psychiatric medication in particular is less common in countries outside the United States. Students should consult early on with their medical and mental health providers about the advisability of studying abroad if they have, or have had, depression, an eating disorder, or other psychiatric condition.

Eating disorders can be difficult to handle abroad. Travel and culture shock can dangerously exacerbate an eating disorder. Adjusting to different food and having limited food choices when living with a host family can be extremely stressful. Students need to be willing to embrace the cultural differences around food in order to have a successful study-abroad experience.

Once you and your medical clinician have made the decision that study abroad is a reasonable option for you, we urge you to consult confidentially with the resident director of the program you have chosen. The resident director can guide you to resources, and discuss whether the resources you need will be available. Involving the resident director is essential to ensure an optimal experience. The more the resident director knows about your medical issues and needs, the better he or she can help you—from picking the best host family match, to helping you find a clinician, or accessing needed medication.

Students taking regular medication need to be proactive in developing a plan for obtaining refills while abroad. Many countries limit the amount of medication that can be taken through customs. Can you get refills mailed to you? Can family or friends who are visiting bring refills? Or will you need to consult with the resident director to see if there is a clinician where you are studying who could prescribe refills? Is the medication you are taking even available in the country you are going to? All this must be researched and planned well ahead of time.

All participants in Tufts Programs Abroad must undergo a medical evaluation. This should be performed at the Tufts University Health Service, unless the participant does not attend Tufts University. In that case, a health service clinician from the home university or the primary care provider can complete the required forms. The medical clinician will discuss any medical issues with you to help you prepare for a successful experience. If you are being treated by a mental health clinician (psychiatrist or therapist), you will need to submit a letter from that clinician supporting your plan to study abroad. Information about the medical evaluation will be sent to you upon acceptance into a specific program.

Once abroad, if there are concerns about the health or safety (physical or mental) of a student, a required medical evaluation may be mandated to ascertain whether the student’s health condition makes it unsafe for him or her to continue the course of study abroad or if the student poses a significant risk of harm to others.

In the event of a medical emergency, all students on Tufts Programs Abroad qualify to receive emergency assistance services from International SOS. Students may access Tufts' account through http://publicsafety.tufts.edu/risk_ins/sos/ (membership number will be provided prior to departure).

Resources for Students with Special Needs
Students needing accommodation for physical or learning differences should contact the director of Tufts Programs Abroad.

Health Insurance
Students in all programs are required to carry health insurance, and it is strongly recommended that students subscribe to the Tufts University Student Health Insurance Plan which covers them for one calendar year (from September to September). Students may also choose to remain under their own or their family’s health insurance plan. They should, however, make sure that their plan covers them during overseas residence.

International Travel
Students are responsible for arranging and paying their own international round-trip transportation (with the exception of the Chile, China, and Ghana programs). When possible, Tufts will arrange an optional group flight at a date tailored to the starting date of each program. But it remains the student’s responsibility to contract for such travel arrangements with the sponsoring travel organization. The group flights will be met by the resident directors of our programs abroad, who will arrange transportation to the orientation sites.

Passports
Applications for passports may be obtained and submitted at most local main post offices (e.g., Medford Square) or you may download an application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html. It is recommended that applications for passports be made well in advance, but if you require a passport within fourteen days of travel, you may contact the Boston Passport Agency at: (877) 487-2778.

Standards of Conduct
Each participant in Tufts Programs Abroad agrees to comply with all rules, standards, and instructions relating to student behavior which are promulgated by Tufts and the host institute. It is assumed that he or she will conduct himself or herself by the same standards of academic and social responsibility that are required on the Tufts campus and be a responsible representative of his or her country.

The resident director of each Tufts program abroad represents Tufts University, and each student, when accepted, agrees to the supervision and authority of the director. Each student is expected to conform to the regulations of the program in which he or she is enrolled. The resident director has the authority to recommend the withdrawal of any student whose academic standing or conduct warrants dismissal.

Crime Statistics
In compliance with the Clery Act, Tufts annually publishes a summary of the incidents of crimes of various categories which occur on the several campuses that are part of the university.

The overseas programs that Tufts operates at affiliated institutions are included in this report, which can be found at the Tufts University Public Safety website. The publication is also available in print from the Department of Public Safety, located in Dowling Hall.

Housing in Medford
(Tufts students only)
If you previously selected on-campus housing for the semester or year in which you now plan to be abroad, you were charged a $500 room guarantee fee by the Office of Residential Life at the time of the room selection process. This fee is nonrefundable unless you inform the Office of Residential Life, via a “Housing Update” form, before April 30 that you are studying abroad for the full year, fall semester, or the spring semester. If you chose “fall-only” housing and are planning to be abroad during spring semester only, no notification of your departure is necessary.

Honors at Graduation
Students who think they might be eligible for degree honors at graduation (see Tufts Bulletin) should consider a Tufts program abroad. Grades earned on a Tufts program will count toward degree honors (cum laude, etc.); transfer credit will not.

Preparing for Study Abroad