Travel Health Resources

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 covertrip.com.  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 "Menu", "US Citizen Services" , "Local Resources", then "Medical Assistance" to find information about medical services specific to your destination.
  • Travel apps, such as Allyz by Allianz Global Assistance, can also be helpful resources.
Student Health Brochures
Other Online Resources