Travel Health and Safety

The well-being of U-M community members traveling abroad is a top priority for the University and our Office. There are a wide variety of resources and tools available to promote your safety and security during your international travels. We encourage you to take the time to develop an understanding of your destination prior to your departure to help you successfully navigate once you arrive. 

Pre-Departure Requirements for Students Receiving OGPH Funding:

Our funding award letters outline the specific steps required prior to the disbursement of the funds and departure for the applicable travel. Deadlines and processes for submitting requirements will be outlined in your letter. These requirements have been established in consultation with the Office of the Provost, Global Engagement, to promote your health and safety abroad.

Students awarded funding through OGPH may be asked to complete the following steps in March and April, prior to the disbursement of their funds in April or May. Timelines may vary depending on when your award is made:

  •  Letter of Invitation: A letter from your international host site supervisor on their official letterhead. This letter should confirm your placement, tentative dates, anticipated role and project(s).
  • Optional: Complete the Safety Abroad online orientation to prepare to stay safe and healthy abroad. While not required, this training walks you through important travel strategies, including risk assessment, situational awareness, and handling emergency situations.
  • Purchase GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance Coverage: Coverage is required for all U-M related international travel, for the duration of the experience. This covers both health needs and safety evacuation in the event of an incident.
  • Register your Travel in MCompass: This confidential and secure database is maintained to assist U-M in locating and communicating with travelers in response to emergencies.
  • Review the Country Risk Ratings and Travel Eligibility Requirements for your destination:
    • U-M Country Risk Ratings are reliable and vetted sources of information about the risks and requirements associated with travel to your destination.
    • If a Travel Health Plan or Individual Safety Plan is listed as a requirement for your destination, please review and follow this process. Note: Plans are due at least 3 weeks prior to travel.
  • Attend a Pre-Departure Travel Health and Safety Workshop: Sessions cover U-M related travel requirements, safety and health considerations and procedures for emergencies, the GeoBlue travel abroad health insurance program, resilient travel, mental health and documenting your experience.
    • Workshops for Summer 2025 Travel: Please register here
        • Tuesday, April 1, 300-4:30 PM on Zoom
        • Wednesday, April 23, 10:00-11:30 AM in 1655 SPH I
        • If you can not attend either of these dates, please contact us for options offered through other units on campus.

Key contact information for non-emergency travel health & safety questions: 

  • global.safety@umich.edu (contact the Global Engagement Team for non-emergency international travel safety inquiries)
  • sphglobalhealth@umich.edu (contact the Office of Global Public Health for general inquiries, funding requirements, or if you are unsure where to begin)

Other Resources and In Case of Emergency:

An emergency situation is one that has impacted, or is likely to impact, the health and safety of the traveler. Examples may include major crime, serious accident, major physical or mental health situation (including family emergencies, such as death or hospitalization), being a victim of sexual assault/misconduct, detention or arrest, lost person, kidnapping, civil unrest, or natural disaster.

A non-emergency situation does not immediately impact the health and safety of the traveler, yet may still require assistance. Non-emergencies may include lost passport, wallet, luggage, etc.; visa assistance; canceled or delayed flight; or minor illness or injury, etc. For non-emergency situations, travelers should contact the Office of Global Public Health at sphgloalhealth@umich.edu via email or calling (734)763-6220 during business hours.You may also wish to contact your Department, Advisor, and On-site contacts depending on the support required.  

When in doubt, treat health, safety, and security situations as emergencies and follow protocols.

GeoBlue Emergency Line: Call the number on your insurance card for 24/7 assistance (+1-610-254-8771, collect calls accepted) 

U-M Division of Public Safety & Security: +1 (734) 763-1131

  • Let the DPSS emergency responder know that you are a U-M traveler abroad.
  • DPSS will transfer you to a U-M emergency responder.

Download the General Emergency Protocols for U-M Travelers or print a hard copy to bring with you

Additional Protocols:

We frequently receive questions from travelers while abroad about how to use GeoBlue benefits. Save time and stress by familiarizing yourself with the insurance plan before you depart:

  1. Purchase your GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance Plan
  2. Download the GeoBlue App from your App Store, and log in with the information provided in your purchase confirmation email
  3. Access your Member Hub on the GeoBlue website or app for tools and resources, including:
    1. Destination Dashboard: Offering detailed information at both the country and city level on healthcare services and environmental risks in your destination
    2. Provider Finder: tools for locating doctors, dentists, hospitals, and emergency rooms in your destination/s, and setting up future healthcare appointments.
    3. Research medication equivalents in your host destination/s or medical terms or phrases in the local language/s.
  4. Whenever possible, you should contact GeoBlue in advance of seeking medical care:
    1. Understand how to arrange for direct pay
    2. Or, submit a claim after services are received. Be sure to ask the doctor, hospital, or pharmacy for a copy of the bill and a receipt for your payment
  5. Have questions about medications or care available in your area, or about what prescription medications may or may not be legal to travel with? Consult the GeoBlue Pre-Departure Program, even before your coverage begins:
    1. Use PDQ Group Code: UMICH_RM

Additional Resources 

U-M University Health Services has a Travel Health Services clinic available to enrolled students, faculty and staff. They can review your current immunizations and health needs and provide recommendations for vaccinations or other activities recommended to stay safe and healthy while traveling. Consultations are free for enrolled students, however, there are costs associated with any medications or vaccinations and you should check with your insurance about out-of-pocket costs. 

Learn more on their website: UHS Travel Health Services

  • Note: The Travel Health Services clinic can get busy towards the end of the semester, so schedule your appointment early and gather your health and immunization information first!

Other local travel health providers include:

  • The CVS Minute Clinic and Walgreens Pharmacy provide some immunizations, however, they don't have some such as yellow fever, and they cannot prescribe medications such as antimalarials.
  • Passport Health, 248-851-5633, 2008 Hogback Drive Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
  • Your local health department may provide advice or certain immunizations

During each stage of travel abroad, taking care of your mental health is important. We recommend you spend some time reflecting and making a plan for your well-being before, during and after travel including: identifying key stressors and plans for managing them, your unique mental health needs, and common travel experiences and myths that might impact your state of mind. There are some helpful resources and activities on the Managing Mental Health Abroad page (check the top right corner for a helpful document). 

Should you have any mental health concerns while abroad, there are resources available to help. 

GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance has a variety of mental health resources, including:

U-M resources are available through CAPS, and some may be accessed while abroad including: 

You are not alone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for guidance if you aren’t sure where to begin with seeking support.