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Pre-Departure Information

PLANNING FOR STUDY ABROAD
Once you have been accepted to study abroad, you have a lot to do! Students who are prepared for their trip are more likely to enjoy their experiences abroad and fulfill their personal and academic goals while staying healthy and safe.

Required Forms for Accepted Students
Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation & Handbook
Making Travel Arrangements
Mandatory Health and Accident Insurance Program

 

REQUIRED FORMS FOR ACCEPTED STUDENTS
After you've been approved for study abroad by the Center for International Studies, there are several forms you need to complete and return to the Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC.

  1. Program acceptance form
  2. Risk and release form
  3. Health information form

 

MANDATORY PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION
All UMSL students are REQUIRED to attend pre-departure orientation. The orientation will include sessions which focus on health and safety issues abroad, registration, culture shock, and destination-specific information.

In addition, students must complete online orientation before the in-person meeting. Log in to MyGateway and click on "Study Abroad Orientation" under My Organizations (the Study Abroad Office will email you once you've been added to this organization).

Winter Intersession and Spring Semester 2009:
Friday, November 14, 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: 132 SSB
Semester Orientation PowerPoint Presentation

Summer 2009 : TBA
Summer Orientation PowerPoint Presentation

 

Handbook

View the Pre-Departure Handbook here. Every student will receive a copy of the handbook at orientation.

 

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
For most programs, you will need to secure and purchase your own airfare. There are many discounted airfares available for students, so be sure to shop around. More details can be found in the handbook.

STA Travel
Student Universe
Amnet (travel agent for Japan and other Asian countries. Chicago office: 1-800-933-9006)

You should research fares online for comparison, then it may be helpful to call to make your reservation. Be sure to ask about change fees, cancellation policy, and change options (i.e. can you change your departure date to return to St. Louis? How much will it cost? What is the likelihood of being able to change it? Etc.)

Other Useful Airfare Tips

  • Reserve flights as early as possible to take advantage of advanced purchased fares.
  • Watch for specifications, restrictions, and cancellation penalties.
  • Consider trip cancellation insurance if you have any doubts as to your plans.
  • Try to travel during low season for the best fares. Keep high season cut-off dates in mind when making plans (approx. 15 June to 15 Aug)
  • Consider "open-jaw" flights into one city and out of another. If you will be doing a lot of traveling once you arrive, it might save you considerable on-land travel time and expense to arrange a return flight from a different city.
  • If you are considering buying an open-ended return flight, BE SURE to book a return date as soon as possible. You will have trouble getting a seat in the busy travel season at the end of the term when so many others are flying. Also, some countries may not let you have an open-ended ticket for immigration purposes. They want to know that you will actually be leaving. Check on the immigration policies of your destination.


MANDATORY SICKNESS & ACCIDENT INSURANCE PROGRAM

Health Insurance Requirement
In order to ensure that all study abroad participants enrolled at UM-St. Louis are fully covered by comprehensive health insurance while abroad, the University of Missouri requires all participants to purchase the University of Missouri-St. Louis Study Abroad Student Accident and Sickness Insurance administered by HTH Worldwide. The cost of the policy is $37.45 per month.

Benefits
In addition to providing comprehensive health insurance, HTH provides emergency travel medical insurance, including medical evacuation. HTH also has identified a network of doctors worldwide who will provide treatment and file claims on your behalf without requiring payment at the time of treatment. Prior to departure for study abroad, HTH assists students in establishing treatment for on-going medical conditions while abroad (including doctor visits and continuing medications). For a brief summary of the features and benefits of the UM Study Abroad Insurance plan, please see the policy brochure.

After you have enrolled in the UM Study Abroad Insurance plan and received your Medical Insurance ID card from HTH Worldwide, visit: http://hthstudents.com. Using the certificate number of the front of the card, sign in to the site to obtain comprehensive information relating to this plan, including a doctor locator, city health profiles and translations of medical terms and phrases. Your family can access this same information by logging in to: http://www.hthparents.com. They will need your insurance ID card number or your e-mail address in order to sign in.

Enrollment
The fee for HTH Insurance is included in the program fee for faculty-led programs only. Therefore, students participating in these programs will be enrolled in the insurance plan automatically, and their coverage card will be mailed to the address on their study abroad applications. No further action is required by these participants.

Students on all other programs (semester or year exchange, summer exchange) must enroll themselves in the insurance program by following the instructions below. Students cannot register at UMSL, or receive financial aid and scholarships, until they have enrolled in the insurance program.

  1. Go to http://www.hthstudents.com
  2. Enter Group Plan # CBM-2348 in the box on the left-hand side of the screen and click Submit
  3. Read the disclaimer and continue to the next page
  4. Select "New" enrollment and click Next
  5. Complete all fields, including address and student ID
    Important Note Regarding Enrollment Dates:
    HTH Insurance covers you only while outside of your home country and is billed in 30 day periods (i.e. January 15-June 15). Select your coverage to start one day before your departure date and extend several days beyond your return date in the event that your return is delayed. If you decide to stay abroad longer, login to HTH website to extend your insurance coverage.
  6. Continue following the instructions on the website
  7. Your insurance card will be mailed to you, and you will be able to print a card off their website after enrolling

REMEMBER: FOR MOST PROGRAMS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENROLL IN THE INSURANCE PLAN. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDY ABROAD WITHOUT ENROLLMENT.

If you have any questions about enrollment in the insurance program, please email Traci Wilson.