Health and Safety

Students will receive extensive information about study abroad health and safety from Providence College and their respective study abroad program. Health and safety will be a significant component of students’ pre-departure and onsite orientations.

Insurance

All students will be enrolled in international health insurance by their program, and this coverage includes access to mental health counseling. Please note that regulations do not permit the staff in the PC Counseling Center to consult and engage with students while they’re abroad. Students in need of this service should connect with their program staff on site.

Medications

Students should consult their physicians regarding any pre-existing conditions and prescription medications and how these will be managed while abroad. Students should also consult with their study abroad program staff regarding pre-existing conditions and medications to make arrangements with their international insurance carriers. Some medications may not be available abroad or even illegal in some countries, so students need to be proactive and plan ahead in terms of managing their medications while abroad. 

COVID-19

Some programs may require students to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters to participate in their program. These organizations are within their right to have such requirements in place to ensure for students’ health and safety while abroad. Students should consult with their respective program regarding such requirements. If a vaccine exemption is in place, it is the student’s responsibility to apply for an exemption by the deadline specified by the program. The submission of a vaccine exemption does not mean that an exemption will automatically be granted. Please note that PC has no control over a program’s COVID-19 policies and vaccination requirements.