1. STAYING HEALTHY ABROAD
STAFF:
We all never want to be sick, especially when abroad, but if the time comes and you aren’t feeling well, have an accident, or just are feeling down, we want you to takeaway from this session that there are resources for you. If you only remember a few things, remember that you will be insured by a great international insurance company and that you will have onsite staff that you can reach out to.
Over the summer and recently, you’ve received health & safety info in your online Study Abroad Handbook and your program guide, which we hope you took time to read. We’ll be putting to test your knowledge in a few minutes, but if you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to jot them down and schedule an appointment with your coordinator after orientation.

2. CISI Policy Enrollment:
AFTER UWEC enrolls you:
Instructions for portal log-in:
Study Abroad Handbook: pages 14-15
CIE/Study Abroad Web site:
Click “Current Students” then “Insurance”
You’ll see the document titled, “U of Wisconsin–myCISI Participant Portal Overview.pdf”
All UWEC study abroad students are covered by CISI insurance. The cost is automatically included in your program fees.
Once the CIE enrolls you in the system, you will be able to go to the CISI portal, register and log-in to your account. Then you can print your health insurance card and health insurance letter for your visa application, if you need one. If you decide to extend your stay and travel, you will be able to purchase additional insurance on your portal. CIE will be enrolling you later in the semester, and you’ll get an once you are enrolled, with directions for how to register and log-on.
Instructions about accessing the CISI portal and printing your card can also be found in your online Study Abroad Handbook and on the CIE website.  
If you are abroad and need to visit a doctor or therapist, you may need to pay upfront for your medical costs/prescriptions. If this happens, then save all receipts and submit a claim with CISI. CISI will then process your claim and see what can be reimbursed. If you have any difficulties with the claim process, your UWEC coordinator can help you through that process.

3. CISI Policy Exceptions:
“Injury sustained while taking part in mountaineering where ropes or guides are normally used; hang gliding; parachuting; bungee jumping; racing by horse, motor vehicle or motorcycle; parasailing…”
Limitation on payment for pre-existing conditions. Discuss any questions regarding these exclusions with your coordinator.
Make sure to extend your coverage for a month if you are traveling before or after your program!
So here are some of the things NOT covered by your CISI insurance. There is also a limitation on benefits for pre-existing conditions, so if you are currently being treated for something, we recommend that you continue your regular insurance, in addition to having the CISI. And be aware that your policy will be issued for the dates of your program—if you plan to travel before or after the program, be sure to extend your coverage. You can extend your coverage for up to one month through the CISI portal, once you are officially enrolled.
If you would like to find resources that will be available to you when abroad, don’t hesitate to contact your study abroad coordinator to start having a conversation with CISI. It is possible to identify doctors/therapists in advance, which can be handy for if/when an emergency comes up.

4. CISI App:
JENNA: You will also be able to download an app to reach the portal. We strongly recommend you download this app if you plan to bring your smart phone with you. You just need to be connected to wifi to access it. This will give you access to your insurance documents, find preferred medical providers, file a claim and most importantly, check in if you are safe.
This app will allow you to access your health insurance card, policy information, can search for local providers and most importantly, allows you to check in that you are safe should an emergency happen. This check in feature will notify CISI and in turn, we will be able to pull a list of all those who have checked in. We strongly encourage you all to have this app.
Now we are going to move into some scenarios. I’ll put the scenario up and then give you a few mintues to chat with a neighbor. Then we’ll bring it back to the large group and debrief.

5. Scene 1
It’s Sunday afternoon. You and your roommate, who happens to be from UWEC, are walking around your new host city, playing Pokemon Go. Absorbed in the game, your roommate steps off a curb, falls, and is writhing on the ground with an obviously broken wrist. What do you do? What could you do in advance to be prepared for an accident or illness?
Now we’re going to do some scenarios to see how you would respond. Find 3-4 people to talk amongst with and see what you would do in this situation.
Give group a few minutes and then bring it back. Ask 1-2 groups to share what they thought.
Goto next slide:

6. Health Preparation Carry your insurance info with you at all times.
Know where the health facilities are in your host city.
Know whom to contact on-site in case of an emergency.
STAFF:
Carry your insurance information with you at all times. This includes your CISI insurance that all of you will have, plus any additional insurance that may be required by your host site. You’ll probably be told at orientation in your host country where the closest health facilities are and how to access them, but if you are not—Ask!
Hand out emergency contact cards:
I’m going to pass out the emegency contact cards that you should carry with you or take a photo of and keep on your phone. YOUR PA will now explain a few more things such as who to contact onsite, medical facilities in your area, etc.
Ask the PAs to talk with their groups and talk about:
PA discussion: where are the health facilities in your host city? How do you access them? Whom would you contact on-site in case of a medical emergency?

7. Scene 2
You take a prescription medication and brought enough with you for your full time abroad.  Unfortunately, you left the bottles you weren’t using in a plastic bag under your desk, and your host mom thought it was garbage and threw it away.  What do you do?
Talk in groups of 3-4. Bring back, ask 1-2 groups to share what they thought.
For this, contact Assist America to see if you can get the prescription refilled in your host country or if there is a similar prescription that can be prescribed instead. Carrying your prescriptions information and a doctors note as to why you need it can be very helpful in getting medicine refilled when abroad. It is NOT advised to have your parents ship you medication as customs may stop it and you will never receive it.

8. Health Preparation
Contact Assist America, the emergency services branch of CISI
Bring a doctor’s note explaining what the prescription is for, including the generic name of the medication.
Take your U.S. doctor’s phone and fax numbers with you.
If you take prescription medication, talk with your doctor and insurance company NOW to be sure that you can bring enough with you to last for your full time abroad. Be sure to keep it in the original container, and carry a doctor’s note with it that describes what it is for. This is helpful too, if you need to see a local doctor to have a prescription refilled. You’ll also want a copy of the prescription, just in case you need to try to get it filled abroad.
Carry your insurance information with you at all times. Bring your US doctor’s phone & fax number.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, or you have a condition that develops while you are abroad, check in with your on-site program liaison when you arrive, so that they are aware of any medical needs you may have.

9. Scene 3
You are concerned about one of your friends on the program. He doesn’t seem very excited to be there, doesn’t participate in extra- curricular activities, and spends a lot of time alone in his room.  What might be happening?  What do you do?
Talk in groups of 3-4 to discuss what might be happening and what you would do. Bring back, ask 1-2 groups to share.
For this: start asking this friend to see if they want to go grab dinner, a movie, etc. try to get them involved with some activities. If they still say no, if you’re close with them, ask them if they are okay or if they need to talk to anyone about how they’re feeling. If someone is really shut off, it is okay to reach out to the onsite staff and let them know you are concerned. You can also always a study abroad coordinator back at UWEC And we can work with the staff overseas.

10. Help is available at most sites!
Mental Health Abroad
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE CONSIDERING SUICIDE, TELL YOUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY.
If you are concerned about a friend, encourage them to seek help. If they refuse, tell someone for them!
Once abroad, notify the on-site staff immediately. They are there to listen and assist you in getting the help you need.
Help is available at most sites!
Adjustment is a normal process of going abroad but sometimes, it is more than culture shock.
We not only need to think about our physical health when going abroad but also recognize that it can affect our mental health. Cultural Adjustment is a normal part of going abroad, and you’re going to hear a lot about it later today, if you haven’t already. Sometimes, feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or depression may be symptoms of culture shock—and sometimes they are indicating more.
Know that people are available to help you! If you are studying abroad at a university, there are often support services just like there are on campus at UWEC. If your program is more community based, there are resources in the community. Or you may be on program that has an onsite resident director, who is there to help. If you think would like to discuss what is available at your specific site, please make an appointment to talk to your Study Abroad Coordinator BEFORE you go abroad. Counseling Services here on campus is also available if you’d like to discuss concerns about your upcoming time abroad.
While you are abroad, if you notice a friend seems to be experiencing a difficult time, encourage them to talk to a staff member. If they refuse, and you are concerned about their mental health, tell someone for them: the faculty leader, the program coordinator, an international student adviser.
IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, MAY BE CONSIDERING SUICIDE, TELL YOUR PROGRAM COORDINATOR IMMEDIATELY.

11. Remember
You’ll be enrolled in CISI later this semester and receive an when you can log-in
Should anything happen abroad, work with CISI, on-site staff and the CIE
Take care of yourself
Be mindful of other students in your group
Enjoy your time abroad!
And just a few reminders to take away from this session:

12. Questions?
Now you will be moving on to room 308, just right next door.