International Travel Info for Faculty and Staff
If you are traveling abroad on College business, which includes activities such as research: site visits: leading a field course or research trip with students: serving as an international program director: attending a conference; or any other travel connected to your work at the College, there are a number of resources and services available to you through Hampshire College and the Five College Risk Management Office. Please refer to the Faculty/Staff International Travel Info on the Five College Risk Management website.
Health Insurance
Check with your health care provider for the terms and conditions of your health care insurance while you are traveling abroad. Some policies may be limited to emergency services only, and/or may have limitations on filing claims. Trip insurance may provide a useful buffer if your coverage is limited. If you are not satisfied with the international coverage your insurance company provides, you may want to purchase additional emergency travel insurance. We suggest visiting http://www.insuremytrip.com/ to find the best rates and policies for your specific needs.
All faculty and staff traveling on college related business automatically have Medical Evacuation and Repatriation through AIG/Travel Guard. For more information about the plan and what it covers, please refer to the Evacuation/Repatriation section and resources on the Five College Faculty/Staff International Travel Info webpage.
Travel Assistance Services - AIG/Travel Guard
AIG/Travel Guard is an independent service engaged by the Five Colleges to provide Hampshire faculty and staff traveling on College-related activities access to a full range of medical information, travel assistance, and emergency services. It is important to remember that AIG/Travel Guard is NOT (and does not replace) international medical insurance. It does, however, provide valuable services, such as those listed above. For a brief overview of the services that AIG/Travel Guard covers, please refer to Program Benefits for AIG/Travel Guard.
Travel Documents
Before making travel arrangements, make sure that you have a passport valid six (6) months beyond your expected return date and that you check entry requirements with the consular officials of the countries to be visited well in advance. For resources on applying for a passport and researching foreign entry requirements, refer to Passports and Visas.
International travelers are advised to keep copies of their passport and visa in a separate location from their actual passports. This proves invaluable in replacing a passport if it is lost or stolen.
Additional Resources
Web Resources for Health, Safety, and Travel
TSA: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
TSA Traveler's Guide to help ensure passengers have the answers they need to common security screening questions such as acceptable identification, screening and inspection options, traveling with medication, and prohibited items.
Safety Abroad Handbook (The Center for Global Education)
This handbook provides invaluable information regarding basic health recommendations; safety strategies to reduce risk; crisis management; cultural adjustment; and special concerns regarding nationality, race, sexuality, and disability while traveling abroad.
U.S. Department of State Travel Information
Provides travel warnings and "Consular Information Sheets" (basic historical and political summaries of each country) with updated information and status reports on country-specific situations. Also furnishes tips for traveling abroad and information on emergency services for U.S. citizens abroad.
U.S. Embassies and Consulates
Register with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the destination country. In addition, carry a photocopy of your passport and visa, packed in a separate location from your actual passport. This proves invaluable in replacing your passport if it is lost or stolen.
Centers for Disease Control
Contains information by geographic area for health, immunizations, current conditions, and precautions.
World Health Organization
Provides leadership on global health matters and includes information regarding H1N1 and other important health issues.
InternationalVaccines.com
For vaccine information, health risks, finding local travel clinics for pre-departure information, tips for protecting yourself from food- and water-borne diseases, and more.
Mobility International
Disability travel options and assistance.