Moving to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) for an education is a life-changing decision. When families move abroad, the number of things on the "to do" list is substantial; however, obtaining adequate health insurance for your family is number one. The health-care delivery system in Laos has many gaps between what are available from government-funded facilities and services provided by international-standard private providers. A strategic plan to provide your family with the appropriate level of coverage for local health-care requirements as well as access to superior medical centers in Thailand or Singapore will be needed.

Moving to a new country for school is a big decision. Adding a spouse and children to that decision is taking a leap of faith. The desert sands and skyscrapers of Kuwait provide a distinct environment for students to learn, but accessing the healthcare system in Kuwait will require some research prior to arriving. 

Deciding to relocate to the “Kingdom of Wonder” (Cambodia) as an international student can be an adventure and a challenging experience. The situation changes dramatically, however, when deciding to bring a spouse and children along with you. In terms of family health insurance in Cambodia, there is no student specific public health care insurance plan available to international students. Therefore, you will need to find a solution through the private health insurance market. Cambodia has made considerable progress in terms of public health, however many international students and expatriates consider the public healthcare options available to them to be limited to meeting their families’ health requirements. Therefore, in most cases, the financial security of your family depends upon obtaining coverage from international or regional expat health insurance programs. With this in mind, this article will identify the key players in terms of expat health insurance in Cambodia, provide estimates of the cost associated with each provider and outline some key considerations when choosing which expat health insurance program best suits your family's needs.

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.