Health & Safety
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We plan for "what if" so you don't have to.
With more than 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
Once you've been accepted to a program, more detailed health and safety tips unique to your study abroad location will be made available in your myIESabroad account.
COVID-19 & Study Abroad
In response to COVID-19, our Crisis Management Team is working 24/7 to keep students, staff, and faculty up to date with the latest coronavirus updates and has released enhanced safety guidelines—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (and homestays only in select, approved locations) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
Vaccine Policy
Starting with our Spring 2022 academic term, IES Abroad will require that students participating in our study abroad programs, customized programs, and in-person internship programs abroad be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of their program. Read more in our Vaccine Policy.
International Health Insurance
Your program fee includes international health insurance for the duration of your program. The policy is specially designed for students traveling internationally, and it includes coverage for physical and some mental health issues, counseling, medical and other forms of evacuation, a bed-side benefit for students hospitalized for more than a few days (which pays to fly family members to their bedside), and more.
Learn more about your comprehensive coverage through CISI and what you will be covered for while interning or studying abroad.
24/7 Emergency Support
If you're worried about it, we've already worried about it too.
We provide thorough and ongoing training of our U.S.-based and on-site staff to proactively plan for, and respond to, emergencies and crises abroad. We have a dedicated Crisis Management Team made up of U.S. staff members, as well as on-site staff at every IES Abroad Center worldwide, who are on-call and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for emergencies and crises.
- Crisis Management Plans & Protocols: IES Abroad maintains an extensive global crisis management plan and corresponding protocols. In addition, every IES Abroad Center around the world has its own tailored local crisis management plan.
- Monitoring of Local & World Events: Members of the Crisis Management Team receive real-time safety and security alerts for all of our locations worldwide, consulting both private and governmental global security sources and experts.
- Ongoing Communications: Should a serious event arise, we will consistently communicate with you, your parents, our Centers, and your home college/university throughout the process so you have the most up-to-date information.
Highly-Trained Local Staff
Our on-site staff are your go-to support for health and safety concerns while you're abroad. As local residents, they're familiar with health care providers and local authorities and have established relationships with nearby U.S. consulates and embassies.
In-Country Network
Our on-site staff maintains close relationships with local police and governmental authorities, as well as with the local U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Additionally, should you need to see a medical or mental health professional, our on-site staff will connect you with an English-speaking health care provider. When it comes to your health, we don't want the details to get lost in translation.
Mandatory Orientations
You will participate in a comprehensive mandatory orientation program that focuses on known health, safety, and security risks in your host city or region and how best to avoid or mitigate them.
During orientation, you'll be provided with detailed information and written materials that include resources such as city maps, local emergency numbers, and specific instructions regarding various health, safety, and security issues. You'll also be given a small card to carry with you at all times that contains the full contact information of the IES Abroad office and key on-site staff members, as well as the IES Abroad emergency phone number, and the equivalent of “911” to reach local police, fire, and other emergency services.
TripTracker
When traveling independently, we require that you inform on-site IES Abroad staff of your specific travel plans before leaving through our TripTracker system. This system is designed to help on-site IES Abroad staff locate traveling students swiftly in a crisis or emergency.
Required Cell Phone
In order to help our staff members stay in touch with you in an emergency or crisis, you'll be required to have a cell phone that works where you will be studying abroad. By keeping your cell phone with you, charged, and turned on at all times, you'll be able to respond promptly to emergency calls, emails, and text messages from IES Abroad staff.
Mandatory Crisis Drills
We conduct a mandatory crisis management drill at each Center at the beginning of every term. The primary purposes of these drills are to educate you and your peers on our system for reaching you swiftly in an emergency or crisis, to test how long it takes for all students to respond, and to verify the accuracy of the cell phone number our staff has on file for you.
Any students who fail to respond or are slow to respond are counseled by our on-site staff regarding the rationale underlying the drill and the reasons it is important for them to respond promptly.
Enhanced Safety Guidelines in Response to Covid-19
In response to the impact of COVID-19, IES Abroad has defined a list of protocols—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary. Explore the Health & Safety Policies for 2021.
Before even leaving home, I received phone calls from people [in Chicago and Paris] checking up on my mental health needs and medications. It was so thoughtful and personalized.
Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes updates to our refund policy for specific terms, which allowed students to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, their money would be fully refunded. Learn more about the specifics of our term-specific Refund Policies.
Mental Health Abroad
From finding a therapist abroad to ensuring legal transport of medication, we’re here to help keep your emotional and psychological well-being a priority throughout your study abroad experience.
Prior to departure, we encourage you to talk with our Chicago-based Dean of Students Office about any concerns and needs you anticipate. They can be reached at 800.995.2300.
A representative from the Dean of Students office will confidentially work with you, and can assist in making reasonable accommodations through the IES Abroad Center.
While abroad, our Center staff will share resources within the community to support your well-being. Upon request, they can connect you with a local English-speaking mental health professional.
