Planning a research or academic trip to Afghanistan is a total mental reset on how you will think about your own personal safety and medical needs. Most students traveling abroad for study choose their health insurance by determining which has better deductibles, covers prescriptions, etc. vs. what they would have to pay out-of-pocket for each office visit. The way you plan your travel to Afghanistan is based on a completely different mindset than how you typically plan travel to other countries for study. Almost all standard international student insurance plans do not cover travel to Afghanistan. In fact, many government agencies list Afghanistan at a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory. The extreme instability created by active conflict, severe sanctions and lack of adequate infrastructure cause the failure of the traditional insurance model. If you are an independent researcher, sponsored through your University (as a fellow) or traveling with family members, it's not just about getting affordable routine care. It's about creating a viable support system (safety net) while you're in-country and being able to get evacuated in case of a serious medical emergency or a severe security situation.

The decision to pursue education in the Kingdom of Bhutan combines an opportunity to continue education with a unique chance to be immersed in culture. The country is known as much for its Gross National Happiness philosophy and its breathtaking Himalayas as it is for being a calm setting for furthering one's knowledge. For however, international students with a spouse or children realize that there is another factor at play when it comes to studying in Bhutan; the ability to access quality medical care.

Pursuing an advanced degree in Uzbekistan is an exciting move. However, once you are no longer solely responsible for your health, and then factor in a spouse and/or children, it becomes much more complicated. You need a "safety-net", in the middle of the night in Tashkent. In Uzbekistan there is little or no support from what could be described as a 'student local family' policy. As such, the best way to provide medical coverage for dependents (spouse/children) is through using an International Expatriate or Student Health Plan with Dependent Coverage.

Finding and purchasing a reliable health insurance plan in South Sudan will be a very important and time-consuming process. Due to the country’s continued growth in developing its national medical infrastructures, many residents still travel across the border to receive specialty medical care. So whether you’re planning on attending school as an international student, relocating with your family (as a head of household), choosing the correct health insurance is crucial. Without adequate insurance, even a minor medical issue in Juba could quickly turn into a financial disaster.

Moving abroad to attend school is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Along with new academic opportunities and different cultures, it also comes with many other new challenges such as obtaining reliable foreign health insurance. For international students that are moving to Eritrea, planning their care will require extra time and effort. Many of the hospitals in both Asmara (the capital city) and surrounding cities and towns have limited capabilities when compared to those located in larger metropolitan areas around the world. Therefore, you should consider having health insurance that can support you in two ways. First, the plan must be able to provide coverage for regular doctor's office visits. Second, it must provide emergency assistance including evacuating you from a local hospital to a medical facility in your home country if needed.