Taking the leap to come to India for higher education can be a very exciting and life changing event. At this time you may be looking at many aspects such as university rankings, visa requirements, and finding the best neighborhoods in cities such as Delhi, banglore, and/or Pune. Among the chaos, health insurance will likely be one of the last things that you worry about due to the fact that international student visas to India do not mandate health insurance (strictly). However, relying on luck is not a strategy. 

Moving abroad to the Philippines as an international student is certainly a brave and exciting decision. Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a medical degree in Cebu or an MBA in Makati, the Philippines have a lively culture and a relatively inexpensive cost of living. However, when moving to the Philippines with a spouse and/or children, the logistics of health care can rapidly evolve into a stressful experience. The Philippine health care system is one of contrast. In the urban centers, there are many high-quality private health care systems available which match those in Singapore or the Western world; yet at the same time there is also a under-funded public system.

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.

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.