Relocation to Pakistan for educational purposes is an excellent way to grow academically and culturally; however, the initial enthusiasm of beginning studies at universities such as The University of Faisalabad or Aga Khan University may lead to one of the most important administrative challenges: access to quality medical care. International students who travel with their families face even greater uncertainty navigating the healthcare options available in Pakistan.

Moving to the Sultanate of Oman to study as an international student represents an academic achievement in itself. If you have chosen to bring your family with you, however, the increased complexity of logistics can be overwhelming. Probably one of the biggest challenges you will encounter, when establishing a household in Oman as a student with a family, is obtaining sufficient and adequate health insurance. Health insurance is not simply a security blanket or a financial backup system in Oman – it is also required for your student visa and for the residency permits of your dependents. 

Studying abroad can be a great leap for many students, but for families who have traveled to another country with a spouse or children from Nepal, this leap has an added layer of complexity as they are creating a safety net through multiple layers of complicated insurance options. Not just about meeting visa requirements, it is also about knowing that if a child becomes ill in London or your spouse requires medical assistance in Melbourne, your family will receive first-class care without experiencing a financial disaster. 

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.