Travel Health Resources

University Student Health Services > Patient Resources > Travel Health

A well-informed traveler is a safe traveler!

Student Health Travel Clinic

Student Health offers free pre-travel consultations to VCU students by appointment.  

  • It is best to complete your travel health care at least 30-60 days prior to your departure.  
  • Be prepared to provide specific information about your destination, accommodations, and activities.
  • Students are responsible for the cost of recommended prescriptions and vaccines.
Basic Travel To-Do List

Prior to your departure, complete the following bare-bones checklist.  For comprehensive recommendations for safe travel, refer to the Student Health brochures below.

  • Travel vaccines: Don't wait until the last minute to update your vaccines!  Ideally, vaccines should be completed a minimum of 15 days before arrival at your destination.  Some vaccine series require 6 months to complete.  You can access vaccine records that you have submitted to (or obtained at) Student Health through our Web Portal.
  • International Health & Travel Insurance:
    • Students participating in a VCU-affiliated program (study abroad, service-learning, research, etc.) are required to enroll in VCU's international health and emergency assistance insurance plan with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).
      • This insurance plan covers health care costs incurred during university-sponsored international travel and provides emergency assistance, including medical or security evacuations and repatriation of remains.
      • Follow the link above to view the most current CISI Participant Guide and resources.  We recommend that you download the CISI Traveler app and carry a paper copy of your insurance card with you.
    • Students traveling abroad outside of a VCU-affiliated program are also strongly advised to purchase international health and travel insurance.  For an explanation of what travel insurance covers and a comparison of policies, go to travelinsurancereview.net.  Talk to your medical provider for more information.
Finding Medical Services Abroad
  • Learn about the health care resources at your host university and community.  Some universities have their own Student Health clinics while others can provide a list of recommended medical providers in the community where you can use your travel insurance.
  • Students with VCU's CISI insurance will have access to a directory of medical services worldwide, including facilities with English-speaking staff.  Search for providers through their CISI Traveler app or by logging into myCISI Participant Portal.  Other travel insurance policies may offer similar resources.
  • You can also find English-speaking medical providers through the US Embassy website.  Choose the country of interest then the embassy office.  Next click on "US Citizen Services" at the top, scroll down to Local Resources and choose "Medical Assistance" to find information about medical services specific to your destination.
  • Travel apps, such as Allyz TravelSmart by Allianz Global Assistance, can also be helpful resources.
Student Health Brochures
Other Online Resources