Health & Safety

Student safety and well-being are the primary concerns of the Center for Global Education (CGE) and our international education partners. CGE complies with the best practices in the field of education abroad including those endorsed by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Forum on Education Abroad.

Emergency Contact Information

CGE office: +1 (320) 363-5952 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)

After hours emergency:  SJU Life Safety +1 (320) 363-2144

CISI 24/7 Travel Assistance 

  • +1 (855) 327-1411 (toll-free within the U.S.) 
  • +1 (312) 935-1703 (from outside the U.S.; collect calls accepted) 
  • Email: [email protected]

State Department Overseas Citizens Services:

International Medical & Accident Insurance

CSB+SJU policy requires students to maintain enrollment in their primary health coverage plan during their time abroad. In addition to their primary U.S. health insurance plan, the Center for Global Education will automatically enroll study abroad students in comprehensive international medical and accident insurance. This insurance policy provides tele-med medical & mental health services, along with coverage for in-country medical care. In addition, this insurance covers emergency medical evacuation, natural disaster and political unrest evacuation, and repatriation of remains. This insurance goes above and beyond U.S. healthcare coverage. The cost of the international travel insurance is determined by the length of the program and will be incorporated into the overall cost of the program. This international insurance policy will only cover students during the official program dates. If students plan to travel before or after their study abroad program, we encourage them to secure additional international health insurance coverage for any leisure travel outside the official program dates.

Supplemental Insurance Abroad While Abroad

Can I purchase supplemental insurance for personal travel before or after my University-purpose travel? 

It is our standard practice to enroll travelers in the mandatory international insurance coverage for a maximum of three days before the start of their University-purpose program/activity and up to two days after the end of their program/activity to ensure coverage during travel to or from the host country. 

Students who wish to purchase a supplementary insurance plan for additional personal travel days before or after the University-enrolled days can do so through the CISI web portal after receiving enrollment confirmation materials from CISI. Supplementary coverage is recommended for such travel, but is not provided by the University. Students can purchase such a plan comparable to the University coverage using a credit card.  

Note: CISI is unable to provide insurance for international students who are traveling in their home country of citizenship. We recommend these travelers secure other insurance options such as personal family coverage, possible home country national insurance plans for which the student remains eligible, or independent coverage. 

Retaining Your Domestic Health Insurance While Abroad

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), people residing in the U.S. will be required to obtain health insurance.  In addition, the CSB+SJU requires students who are full term students to have domestic health insurance coverage. This requirement applies even while students are participating in education abroad opportunities. 

CISI insurance does not qualify as U.S. health insurance because the coverage begins when you leave the U.S. and ends upon your return to the U.S.  As a result, you must retain your U.S. insurance during your time abroad to cover you before and after your program or activities abroad. CSB+SJU does not verify U.S. health insurance enrollment, so it is each student’s responsibility to understand the ACA and University requirements and to retain their U.S. health insurance even while traveling abroad.  

Note: For questions regarding US health insurance, refer to student accounts. 

COVID-19 Information 

Students must be prepared to remain aware of the changing situation in their host environment, and they must agree to take responsibility to ensure they are acting in accordance with the rules, regulations, and recommendations of their host communities.  There may be special policies, different expectations, and new rules in place within any program and in any host environment, as a result of COVID-19. 

 CSB+SJU strongly recommend that all international travelers stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations prior to international travel.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information on international travel and staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.  

Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Study Abroad Health and Safety Resources for Students and Parents 
Provides links to country-specific study abroad information and study abroad tips & information. 

Study Abroad Health and Safety Report 
This MN Office of Higher Education report is intended to provide the public with a more accurate understanding of the risks of studying abroad and reports study abroad health and safety incident data along with student participation data for all MN Institutions (including CSB+SJU). This information is annually submitted to OHE by Minnesota postsecondary institutions whose students studied abroad in the prior academic year.