Insuring Diverse Student Populations Abroad
If you read my previous post unpacking some of the Higher Education trends poised to shape the 2023-2024 school year, then you know studying abroad is more popular than ever following the global standstill precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the return of study abroad has been accompanied by greater consideration of student safety, especially for diverse student populations.
The accessibility of study abroad programs is also an increasingly important focal point. With more students of diverse backgrounds choosing to study abroad, it is more essential than ever for Higher Education institutions to make sure they are setting all students up for success. This means closely evaluating insurance coverage and Assistance, Safety & Security plans for students abroad, and ensuring they have safe access to the care they need, regardless of their background or identity.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest factors affecting the study abroad insurance ecosystem today — plus some actionable advice for making study abroad more inclusive for diverse student populations.
A changing landscape for study abroad coverage
The study abroad landscape is changing, and with it the scope of insurance coverage. Here are four changes to consider when securing appropriate insurance for student populations abroad:
Diversity on the rise — White women have historically dominated study abroad numbers, but as student bodies have become more diverse, so too have study abroad populations. The NAFSA: Association of International Educators confirms “the diversity of study abroad participation has increased in recent years,” though also notes “minority students are still greatly underrepresented in study abroad.” Improving access to and support while participating in international opportunities for diverse students should be a top priority for Higher Education institutions with study abroad programs.
Increased demand for non-traditional locations — More students are also choosing to study in non-traditional locations post-pandemic. Data from the Institute of International Education (IEE) found that during the 2022-2023 school year, “only 8 of the top 20 program destinations were outside Europe.” But for the 2023-2024 school year, “half the leading program destinations were outside Europe: Japan, South Korea, Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Ecuador.” As heartening as it is to see more students choosing to study in a wider variety of locales, accessing the healthcare they need can be different or difficult in certain countries. Therefore, it’s critical for Higher Education institutions to have solutions in place that address potential barriers to healthcare before sending students abroad.
Declining mental health — Student mental health is worsening, and it can often be exacerbated by the experience of studying abroad. Culture shock, in particular, can be a significant challenge — Gitnux reports 15% of international students in U.K. universities “drop out due to culture shock” — reiterating the importance of accessible mental health resources for students abroad. Fortunately, providers like mindhamok and Being Well Abroad have emerged to help Higher Education institutions fill any gaps in mental healthcare for students abroad.
Concerning legislation — The shifting geopolitical landscape is also sending a ripple effect across the study abroad landscape. For example, Uganda recently passed a law making homosexuality punishable by life in prison, or even death. International students coming to the U.S. — and U.S. students traveling to certain states — will also have to be mindful of the 22 U.S. states that have moved to block, ban, and/or criminalize abortion, and the 19 states that now have laws on the books restricting access to gender-affirming care.
Advocating for the unique needs of specific student populations
Advocating for the well-being of diverse student populations abroad should be a top priority when determining appropriate insurance coverage. And though the specific healthcare needs of students are as unique and nuanced as they are, there are certain identifiers that make students more vulnerable when studying abroad:
Racially diverse populations — It is the Higher Education community’s responsibility to make sure all individuals, regardless of their ethnic background or race, receive equitable care. Understanding the diverse populations you serve — and the places they are traveling — is at the heart of providing comprehensive, accessible coverage.
Members of the LQBTQ+ community — Questions surrounding things like coverage for gender-affirming care, supportive providers, and potentially threatening legislation should be addressed well in advance of travel to countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws or policies.
People with a uterus — Given the impact of recent U.S. legislation restricting access to contraception, the morning-after pill, and abortion in some states, it’s more important than ever to provide female-bodied people with safe access to the healthcare they need, regardless of where they are located.
Students with high financial need — Study abroad can be prohibitive for students with higher financial needs, and insurance is often a significant contributor to cost concerns. If your institution does not provide blanket coverage abroad, how do low-income students navigate health insurance? If upfront payment is required, how do students access the necessary funds and/or receive reimbursement abroad? And if coverage is opt-in and students don’t purchase, what happens when they have an emergency abroad and cannot afford the cost? Some students even find themselves forced into double coverage for both their home university and abroad, making study abroad more expensive than it needs to be. Determining the most comprehensive, cost-effective policies and plans is key to making study abroad more accessible.
Those with pre-existing health conditions — International travel insurance policies will often exclude preexisting conditions, opening these students up to vulnerability abroad. A knowledgeable insurance broker can help your institution ensure all preexisting conditions, including mental health and pregnancy, are adequately covered.
Students with dependents — If students have dependents, they need to know well in advance of studying abroad if your institution’s coverage extends to their dependents or if they need to procure their insurance elsewhere.
How to make insurance coverage more inclusive for diverse students abroad
Now that we understand some of the unique challenges facing diverse populations studying abroad, let’s shift focus to how Higher Education institutions can ensure insurance coverage is more equitable, accessible, and affordable.
First and foremost, it’s critical to understand the makeup of your student body. What are the groups on your campus? What kind of care do they need? Answers to questions like these will help your institution hone in on what items to prioritize when developing a plan for insurance coverage.
It’s equally essential to understand the places students are traveling. Without an adequate grasp of the socio-cultural dynamics, environment, and policies associated with a study abroad location, you expose students to a higher degree of risk. If you identify any barriers to care abroad, it’s important to form a contingency plan to work around them. Ideally, services and billing agreements for international coverage should be secured well ahead of students traveling abroad.
Lastly, your Higher Education institution should have a robust understanding of your insurance partners and providers. What types of coverage do they offer? Are there any creative opportunities to embed or integrate services (like augmenting mental healthcare with a platform like mindhamok)? Paying for preventative services ultimately reduces claims and emergencies, so it’s well worth investigating the full range of services and resources at your disposal. The more involved your institution is in the negotiation process, the better the resulting policies should be. And if you don’t have the bandwidth or expertise to comfortably liaise with your insurance providers, it’s always a good idea to enlist the help of an experienced broker to advocate for you.
Whether your Higher Education institution needs assistance navigating coverage concerns, negotiating new policies, or developing high-level Assistance, Safety & Security plans, Allegiant Global Partners is ready to help make your study abroad coverage more comprehensive and inclusive for diverse student populations.
Feel free to email me directly if you have any questions about insuring diverse student populations abroad!
Author’s Note: This content was developed in collaboration with Eryn Kudzinski, Vice President of Health, Safety, Security, and Risk Management at CEACAPA.