Studying in the UAE is a major undertaking for you and your family. The experience will bring many opportunities, as well as a variety of cultural experiences. But planning for your relocation can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to your healthcare needs. Healthcare insurance in the UAE is required to live here — whether you're a resident or a student. Most schools/universities have a minimum level of health insurance that covers their students, but most of these plans do not cover spouses or children. Since local university-based plans typically cover only the individual, a plan covering dependent children/spouses must be purchased. Therefore, families seeking comprehensive coverage that allows them to receive treatment at some of the best hospitals in the world, as well as satisfy their respective emirate requirements (e.g., Dubai Health Authority [DHA] or Abu Dhabi Department of Health [DoH]) will need to purchase expatriate/international plans.

Deciding to move to China for the purpose of pursuing higher education is an exciting and life-altering choice. The complexity associated with moving to a foreign country can be even more significant when moving with a spouse and/or children; especially when considering healthcare options. While China has some of the best medical facilities in the world, its medical model is quite different from most Western/European models. 

The experience of going to school in Myanmar will be like stepping into a world filled with golden pagodas and a long history. In terms of safety and health risks however, there are probably few places as risky for international students and their families as Myanmar. A developing country, Myanmar's medical system has limited resources to help those in need. The majority of its population uses the Social Security Scheme (SSS) which is generally considered too low to provide quality medical care that many foreign students expect.

Studying abroad can be an experience of a lifetime for many people; however, for Eritrean students who may need to cross borders (for example), and/or for international students coming into Eritrea – the logistical challenges of having access to quality health care can be overwhelming when you are bringing a spouse or dependents with you. Your goal is not simply to have some documentation that will allow you to meet a visa requirement; you are creating a protective umbrella for your family while living in foreign country.

It is a colossal shift in your life to take your family to another country to study. In Zimbabwe, the academic opportunities are plentiful, but the health care system seems to have two legs: the public system, which is often overstretched and the private one, which is of good quality of care but poses a high price point. Out-of-pocket payments form a risky strategy to an international student.