Important Resources

• If you need to make an emergency call when you're abroad, don't call 911 as you would in the United States; that number might not work overseas. Each country has its own equivalent. Prepare yourself in advance by checking the 911 equivalents abroad and saving the number in your phone.
• You should also make note of U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad so you know where to go if you need a replacement passport, travel visa, or other support.
• International Health Insurance: It is mandatory for all students studying abroad to have international health insurance for the time they are abroad. Global Education enrolls students studying abroad in the BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) Global Solutions Student Member plan for the dates they are abroad. Students will be billed for the cost of the international health insurance plan to their KSU Student Account.
• Students will receive a BCBS Global Solutions ID card they can use to access healthcare services abroad. An app is also available from the Apple or Google Play stores for students to access their plan via their smartphone. Services offered online and via the app include finding a doctor or facility, scheduling appointments, translating medications, telehealth appointments, and more.
• To call BCBS Global Solution's 24/7 emergency line from outside of the USA, call +1-610-254-8771.
• Students participating in Education Abroad programs through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) will be enrolled in a health insurance plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), not BCBS Global Solutions.
• The U.S. Department of State Emergency Resources are another useful reference to turn to in the event of a crisis while abroad.

True Emergencies vs. Perceived Emergencies

Take a deep breath and think for a moment: how serious is your situation?

True emergencies are rare and involve things such as a serious illness or natural disaster. A true emergency means that there is an immediate threat to someone’s health and/or safety. True emergencies will require coordination between you, Global Education, BCBS Global Solutions or CISI Insurance, and possibly governmental agencies.

Perceived emergencies are occurrences such as a lost passport or a missed flight. While these can still be serious issues, they typically do not need to involve the Global Education team, and can usually be solved by the student or the faculty leader.