Information For Students Completing Middlebury-Sponsored Programs Abroad
[MIIS Emergency Contacts]
| Global Rescue Emergency | +1 617 459 4200 | ||
| Carolyn Meyer | (C) + 1 831 521 8566 | (O) + 1 831 647 6417 | cmtaylor@middlebury.edu |
| Barbara Burke | (C) + 1 831 905 1355 | (O) + 1 831 647 3513 | blburke@middlebury.edu |
Travel Registration and Insurance Requirements
- Please fill out the Travel Registration form (go.miis.edu/travel).
- This travel form includes a liability waiver and automatically adds you to the Global Rescue Security evacuation plan for Middlebury. You will also receive an invitation to login to the free GRID application. This application sends you security notifications for your area and allows you to check-in.
- All MIIS students are provided security evacuation and medical consultation services through Global Rescue. In case of emergency, you can contact Global Rescue directly at 1-617-459-4200 (operations@globalrescue.com).
- Medical Evacuation Plan and Coverage Abroad Students traveling abroad must secure medical insurance and medical evaluation coverage including 500,000 USD in medical emergency evacuation coverage and 25,000 USD in repatriation coverage. GeoBlue, iNext, World Nomads, and AON, are just a few international medical insurances and medical evacuation plans that have reasonable rates. The Voyager plan through GeoBlue is one specific example that meets MIIS insurance requirements.
Other Requirements/Information
- State Department Travel Warning: If there is a US State Department travel warning of 2 or higher in your destination country, you must seek approval for your project from the Middlebury Global Operations Committee by completing this international activity form at least 6-weeks prior to your planned activity. The Committee will review your activity to determine if risks can be mitigated and the activity can proceed as a MIIS-sponsored project.
- It is highly recommended that you register with the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or your home country’s equivalent form (as available).
- Assault and Sexual Violence: In addition to services in the US, Middlebury provides resources and support for those who have faced assault, harassment, or other forms of sexual violence. Please see rights and options information and contact your program director or advisor. Students from all countries can also access Pathways to Safety International’s support services (crisis@pathwaystosafety.org).
- Health Information Guide: Please see this site for recommendations on health considerations for your travel abroad.
- Global Operations Resources: Pre-departure checklists, ICC training, and other travel resources are available on this site.
Other Contacts and Information
*For human relations issues, please contact Associate Dean of Student Services & Alternate Human Relations Officer, Ashley Arrocha at aarrocha@miis.edu.
*Do not stay in an unsafe work environment. MIIS will work with you to make alternate arrangements should your situation be unsafe or should you face harassment issues.
*If you have an unpaid internship/project, you can apply for experiential learning funding by the relevant deadline.
Medical Insurance & Evacuation Requirements
Required: You must purchase medical insurance & medical evacuation and repatriation insurance before your departure.
All students going abroad must have medical and accident insurance as well as medevac (medical evacuation) and repatriation insurance that covers them while abroad.
MIIS provides emergency evacuation (e.g. in the event of a life threatening political or environmental disaster) through Global Rescue. You should secure medical evacuation insurance through a separate provider such as iNext (http://www.inext.com/ ) or World Nomads (https://www.worldnomads.com/) to name a few options.
We recommend enrolling in a program designed for Middlebury/MIIS students through Geo Blue. The cost for this plan is approximately $90/month. To enroll, visit this page. (https://ogse.geobluestudents.com/?ac=EWG-9608&CFID=65754223&CFTOKEN=2244c22624bc0410-156D9D6B-CD49-4F79-C172C4F0A1E68468)
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements:
* $500,000 USD medical evacuation coverage (may be higher for remote locations)
* $25,000 USD repatriation coverage
* Standard international medical insurance coverage (covers you in destination country(ies).
* Standard medical insurance in your home country
* Travel insurance is not required, but recommended.
Before you depart for your program, it is important that you understand your coverage and how it works. Be aware that in many countries, the cost of medical services must be paid in advance by the patient (and then reimbursed by insurance).
You should retain your US (or home country) health insurance while abroad. Should you have an accident or illness abroad that requires long-term care, you will have health insurance upon your return home to cover these expenses. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to purchase a health plan if you return to the United States with an illness or injury that insurance companies consider to be a pre-existing condition.
Registration with the Middlebury Travel Registration Online Form
Required: You must register with the Middlebury Travel Registration Online Form (http://www.middlebury.edu/international/travel ) before your departure. You will receive an email confirmation once registration is complete—forward this to cmeyer@middlebury.edu
If you check the State Department website, and the country you are going to has a level 2 warning or higher, you must fill out the Middlebury International Activity Form NO LATER THAN 4 weeks prior to departure. Middlebury’s Global Operations and risk assessment team will make the determination if you can indeed go to that country.
Note:
-Some of you who have used the travel form before for other types of practica only have to change the dates (approximate time to complete: five minutes). Others will have to follow the instructions on the site (approximate time to complete: 10 minutes).
-This travel form includes a liability waiver and automatically adds you to the Global Rescue Security evacuation plan for Middlebury. You will also receive an invitation to login to the free GRID application. This application sends you security notifications for your area and allows you to check-in.
-All Middlebury students are provided security evacuation and medical consultation services through Global Rescue. In case of emergency, you can contact Global Rescue directly at 1-617-459-4200 (operations@globalrescue.com). Please keep this information with you during your travels.
Required: You must check for any travel advisories for your destination country, and submit an International Activity Approval Form if the country of destination has a level II advisory or higher.
The system provides tiered levels of advice ranging from Levels 1-4. Travel advisories at Levels 2-4 indicate risk indicators related to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters.
Middlebury has established the following policy:
· Travel to a Level I advisory country requires no additional review.
· Travel to a Level II advisory country where Middlebury has a presence (https://www.middlebury.edu/schools-abroad/schools) does not require additional review. If Middlebury does not have a presence in a Level II country, a second level review by a subcommittee of the Global Operations Committee will be completed. Students must fill out the International Activity Approval Form (https://middleburyprovost.submittable.com/submit/ed03dae8-ca13-4846-a9e7-4997ad9152d4/international-activity-approval-form) for any destination country with a Level II advisory, where Middlebury does not have a presence, and submit it 8 weeks prior to departure.
· Travel to a Level III or Level IV advisory country requires a second level review (including input from Global Rescue) by the Global Operations Committee’s executive sponsors and delegates. If a traveler is approved to go to a Level III or Level IV country, the individual will be required to complete an additional waiver form.
COVID-19 Protocol and Planning
Students are responsible for researching COVID-19 entry requirements as well as for planning for an extended stay if they test positive prior to departure. COVID-19 testing protocols regularly change, so students should be aware of the latest requirements. If you test positive for COVID-19, you should follow CDC and local guidelines. Students should budget for hotel stays should they need to quarantine for up to 14 days during their stay. Global Rescue can provide a student with check in service and medical consultation at no charge. It is important that the student monitor their symptoms and contact Global Rescue or their medical evacuation provider if they experience severe symptoms. All students should know where they would seek medical care should they have severe COVID or other illness.
The U.S. Embassies have recommended medical facilities listed under “US citizen services.” If a student selects the GeoBlue international medical insurance plan, they will also have access to a COVID-19 hotline for their county.
As of April 2022, the US requires a negative COVID-19 rapid test 24 hour before entry to the US. Students may find it convenient to purchase a QURED test at https://www.qured.us/ prior to departure. This test is verified by a digital healthcare provider and can be used for reentry to the US.
U.S. Students must Register with the Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Required: U.S. students must register with the Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure, a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please email a screen shot or confirmation email to rchristo@miis.edu.
International students are advised to register their travel with the equivalent service via their home country.
Incidents Abroad
Students should contact Carolyn Meyer at 831-521-8566 (What’s App) or Global Rescue at 617-459-4200.
Other Travel Resources