Central College Abroad
Health and Safety
- Health Matters
- Role of Resident Director
- Before, During and After
- Pandemic Flu
- Student Insurance
- Students with Disabilities
- Safety Matters
- Emergency Plan
- Health and Safety Resources
Information for
Central College Abroad is a flexible program. You can decide to go to the university and take language classes all in German or you can, through the language program, either come in and know barely any German at all, and there is still something here for you.
Augsburg College
health matters
All students are required to complete the Central College Abroad Medical Form included in your online acceptance packet. Completion of this form requires a recent physical. You should also consider visiting your dentist, optometrist and any doctors you visit for special needs. We encourage you to see a physician for any ongoing or acute medical problem, no matter how trivial. Foreign medical systems are often different from what you are used to and medical problems should be resolved well before you leave. Below is a list of items you should cover before you go:
Vaccinations
Please discuss your need for vaccinations with your health care provider. Ask what shots or boosters appropriate for the area you will be living, and make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccinations. These vaccines are necessary for protection from diseases that are still common in many parts of the world even though they rarely occur in the United States. Central College Abroad requires the following for all programs:
- Tetanus-Diphtheria booster if five years or longer since last booster*
- Tuberculosis (TB) test - within six months before leaving the United States and within 10 weeks of returning to the United States.
- Verification of blood type
More vaccination details and information specific to your program destination can be found at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Medical Insurance
It is your responsibility to obtain proper medical insurance prior to departure from the United States. It is a requirement to have at least $50,000 in coverage to attend a Central College Abroad program. Central College Abroad does not provide accident or illness insurance. Please see our student insurance section for more information and options regarding your insurance needs.
Prescription Medication
If you are on medication, we advise you to take a sufficient amount to last for your entire stay – if possible. Be sure to carry prescription medicines in their original vials or packaging with prescription labels attached. Most prescription medications will be readily available at your program site, but many brand names will be different. Make sure you know what the substance name or ingredients of the medication are — both for prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. If you run out of medicine, and need to get a new supply, the substance name is crucial.
Please note that there are American medicines, both prescription and non-prescription, that are banned or illegal and may not enter certain countries. If found by customs, these medications will be confiscated and destroyed, irrespective of purchase costs. This also goes for medicines sent by mail. Your pharmacist should be able to advise you on legality issues and give the brand names of alternative medicines. Also, check with your airline before departure to learn whether your prescription should be packed in carry-on or checked baggage.
Medical Records
If you have medical needs, whether physical, mental or emotional, you should provide the Central College Abroad Office with a description of your counseling or treatment needs prior to departure. Submission of a medical report has no bearing on your acceptance or status in a Central College Abroad program. Rather, it allows us to best serve you and your individual needs while abroad. Any pre-existing conditions may be complicated by the initial stress of living abroad, and your experience can be greatly diminished if you do not address them. Whether this condition is a physical or mental health issue, the director is equipped to assist you with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. Counseling, treatment and tutoring services can be found with the director’s assistance.
Please take time to review the Health and Insurance Matters section of your Student Survival Guide for further health and safety information.
