Texas Tech University

Staying Healthy & Safe



With preparation and ongoing awareness of health and safety issues, living abroad can be just as safe as living in the U.S. Staying healthy and safe during your study abroad experience is a shared responsibility between you and the Study Abroad team.

The well-being of TTU faculty, staff, and students abroad is top priority. Learn about the resources available to support you while abroad and what you can do to prepare yourself to stay safe overseas.

Health and Safety Abroad Video

Viewing the Health and Safety Abroad video is required of all students going abroad on Texas Tech approved study abroad programs. This video should be viewed prior to completing the Assessment of Preparing to Go Abroad.

After reviewing the Health and Safety Abroad video, review the enclosed resources: 

Program Monitoring/Risk Management

Texas Tech's priority is to keep students and program leaders safe while abroad. We have measures in place to assist with safety before travel and while students and program leaders are abroad, including Global Safety and Security Resources maintained by our Assistant Director of Global Safety and Security.

Mandatory Medical Clearance

After acceptance to study abroad, all students must be medically recommended for travel. Texas Tech University Student Health Services has partnered with Study Abroad to make the medical clearance process as easy and convenient as possible. 

International Insurance

All students, faculty, and staff who are traveling outside the United States on university business with university funds or with a university organization are covered by Texas Tech's international insurance with coverage for health, accident, emergency evacuation, and repatriation of remains. Travelers may elect to purchase Cancel and Interruption For Any Reason insurance. Learn about the insurance coverage and where to access information.

Preparing to Go Abroad

Through planning and research, you can prevent or be prepared for many of the common issues you might face when adjusting to a different environment overseas. TTU Study Abroad will enroll you in the appropriate international insurance. Upon receipt of your program details and travel dates, the following will occur:

  • Pre-Travel Advisory: Dependent upon the risk rating of your destination, you may receive a pre-travel advisory email with standing health and safety advice. 
  • Critical Incident Alerts: You will be registered to receive alerts via email if any are issued for your destination shortly before your trip, or while you are traveling.    
  • Risk Intelligence Mobile App Registration: You will be registered to use the OnSolve Risk Intelligence application and receive an emailed invitation to download it. In order to optimize usage of the app, use the recommended settings found in the Mobile App User Guide

Additionally, you may review travel resources prepared by TTU Study Abroad to prepare for your time abroad.

Emergencies

If you experience an emergency while traveling abroad, immediately seek local assistance. You can contact Texas Tech and the University's international insurance provider 24/7 for help.

Save To Your Phone: TTU's International Insurance Provider OnCall

Before going abroad, ensure you have the On Call plan and contact information in the easiest place to reference it – on your phone. You can do this without needing to login or share any personal information. It is your responsibility to have this contact information at hand in the case of an emergency.

OnCall Traveler Resource Hub

Save To Your Phone: TTU Emergency Contact Information

Before going abroad, add important TTU emergency contact information to your phone. It is your responsibility to have this contact information at hand in the case of an emergency.

  • Study Abroad Office: +1-806-742-3667. Available during Lubbock office hours (8am-noon, 1-5pm CST, Monday-Friday)
  • TTU Police Department: +1-806-742-3931. Available 24/7 for assistance. Texas Tech Police will connect callers with the Study Abroad office as appropriate.

Ensure You Understand the Responsibilities

As a student, it is your responsibility to understand the responsibilities of those supporting you in your journey overseas.

Texas Tech Study Abroad Office Responsibilities

Texas Tech Study Abroad will:

  1. Communicate with contacts from the U.S. Department of State, host universities, and program providers to constantly monitor security situations abroad, obtain accurate information, and make appropriate, timely decisions regarding Texas Tech student travel to countries where study abroad programs exist. See the TTU International Affairs's Global Safety and Security Resources for more information.
  2. Make sure that every study abroad student is registered with the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
  3. Enroll every study abroad student in an affordable and comprehensive international health insurance policy that includes health and accident coverage, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and political and security risk coverage.
  4. Require every study abroad student to participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation where they will learn to recognize the health and safety challenges of traveling and living abroad in order to be able to adapt, learn, and excel in their new environment.
  5. Ensure all study abroad students receive medical clearance and are medically recommended for travel.
  6. Mitigate risks appropriately in all locations where we place students by ensuring that host families are thoroughly vetted and student accommodations are safe.

Texas Tech Students' Responsibilities

Study Abroad students should:

  1. Listen to the information provided by Texas Tech Study Abroad staff as well as the tips shared during pre-departure orientation so that you can recognize health and safety challenges of traveling and living abroad in order to be able to adapt, learn, and excel in your new environment. This includes doing research on your host country so that you understand the laws and cultural attitudes and minimize negative interactions with others.
  2. Disclose any needs you have that might affect your health, safety, or wellness abroad to Texas Tech Study Abroad staff, appropriate Texas Tech campus offices, and/or the program staff in your host country. Examples include but are not limited to interest in accommodations for accessibility, studying abroad while taking prescription medications, studying abroad while pregnant, feeling ill, feeling unsafe, bodily injury, self-injury, suicidal ideation, having been the victim of a crime, extreme homesickness, allergies, struggling with classes, etc..
  3. Make sure that you check your Texas Tech email account regularly for messages from the Study Abroad office about accessing your international health insurance information, security issues and emergencies, study abroad courses and credit, etc.
  4. Add important contact information such as the contact information for OnCall as well as TTU Study Abroad to your phone so you have it handy in case of emergency.
  5. Communicate with the Study Abroad staff as well as the on-site program staff about any additional travel and activities you have planned which are independent of your study abroad program.
  6. Develop a communication plan with your loved ones such as parents or guardians that addresses when and how often you will be in contact while studying abroad (e.g., a first call home upon arrival in your host country).

Recommendations for Parents & Guardians

Parents, families, and guardians can play an important role in the health and safety of study abroad students by helping them make smart decisions and by influencing their responsible behavior overseas. When appropriate, loved ones may support their student by:

  • Asking your student to share health and safety information related to their study abroad program. Although provided on the Texas Tech Study Abroad website, it may also help to read and carefully evaluate the information that is sent directly to your student.
  • Being involved in the decision of your student to enroll in a particular program.
  • Engaging your student in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
  • Being responsive to requests from the Study Abroad for information regarding your student.
  • Keeping in touch with your student.
  • Being aware that some information may most appropriately be provided by your student rather than the program and/or the Study Abroad Office.

For more information, please visit our Parents & Guardians webpage.

Resources