Education Abroad

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that will require treatment or access to medication while traveling, you should make arrangements to verify a safe and adequate supply to medications or supplies for the entirety of your travel.

It is also recommended to carry a medical record with you as well as a list of all drugs you are taking, including any not related to disease, and identify any chronic ailments, allergies or hypersensitivities. If you are not local to campus,

The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) provides a searchable listing of its member clinics by state at istm.org/AF_CstmClinicDirectory.asp. Your personal physician may also be able to review this information with you or recommend an appropriate local resource.

Vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Td/Tdap, varicella, meningococcal, MMR, pneumococcal, zoster and HPV, are covered at 100 percent by the Ohio State Student Health Insurance.

Other travel-related immunizations are covered at 50 percent of the negotiated charge. If you have private primary health insurance, check with your provider about coverage amounts for immunizations. Predeparture immunizations are not covered by the supplemental travel insurance either prior to or during travel. Prescriptions Please note that some common prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States may be illegal or unavailable abroad (e.g., Adderall is illegal in Japan and Thailand). GeoBlue insurance provides a drug translation database to verify prescription availability of more than 350 brand names in 41 countries - geobluestudents.com. If you do not see your prescription or country or need further clarification, call GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States) or 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States). The Office of International Affairs recommends that you ask the following questions:

• Is your prescription legal in the countries where you will travel? • Can you bring enough for the duration of your travel abroad?

• Can you refill the prescription abroad? 28

• What documentation will you need to get the prescription filled abroad?

• Are there any changes in dosage amounts? You will need to have your GeoBlue certificate number to access this service. Please contact your education abroad coordinator if you would like to expedite your insurance enrollment to utilize this service. If, in consultation with GeoBlue, you determine you can bring an adequate supply for the duration of your travel, make sure you:

• Transport all medications in the original container.

• Have a prescription with your physician’s explanation of the condition and generic and brand names of the medication and dosage information.

• Carry all medications and documentation in your carry-on luggage.

• Maintain your usual dosage and pattern of taking your medication while you are abroad and ask your physician how to make adjustments due to travel and time zone changes.

In some cases your doctor or pharmacist may request confirmation of your travel in order to prescribe a more than normal amount. The Office of International Affairs can provide you with a prescription letter to take to your doctor or pharmacist. Please ask for this letter from your education abroad coordinator well in advance of your trip. Do not plan on sending medications abroad or having them shipped to you. If you require a legal refill of your prescription while abroad, GeoBlue provides coverage for prescriptions prescribed by a medical professional.

Participants will need to pay for prescription medicine outof-pocket and file a claim with GeoBlue for reimbursement. If you cannot locate a prescription that is lost or needs to be refilled, contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610- 254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com to discuss options for obtaining medications.

Medical testing and supplies

If you are currently managing a health condition that requires periodic testing (e.g., blood tests) or access to medical supplies or devices (e.g., epipen, inhaler, insulin pump, medicine refrigerator, ozone generator) do not assume that supplies will be legal and easily accessible abroad. Contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. GeoBlue can help determine accessibility abroad, and, where possible under local laws and insurance coverage, they may be able to arrange access to testing and supplies in-country. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments.

Mental Health

The Health Information form asks you to disclose any past and current mental health conditions and prescription medicines you are taking to manage your health. Changes in environment, diet, routine and cultural norms can all impact your health. In addition compounding factors addressed in this handbook such as jet-lag, culture shock, intercultural adaptation and changes in your personal support infrastructure can also adversely impact your well-being. If you are currently receiving counseling or treatment for a mental health condition, or if you are incurring symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, we encourage you to discuss your study abroad experience with trained medical professionals. If you are currently receiving counseling or treatment, you should:

1. Discuss. Review your plans for participating in a study abroad program and issues related to cultural adjustment with your mental health professional.

2. Plan. Develop a proactive plan to manage your health while abroad. Traveling abroad will change any support infrastructure you have developed to manage your health. Speak with your medical professional about triggers that might influence your health, indicators that your health may have changed and resources at home and abroad to create a new support infrastructure. If your medical professional has questions about the resources available, they can contact the international risk manager at simmons.541@osu.edu or 614-247-8351. If you are currently managing a health condition that requires periodic testing (e.g., blood tests) or access to medical supplies or devices (e.g., epipen, inhaler, insulin pump, medicine refrigerator, ozone generator) do not assume that supplies will be legal and easily accessible abroad. Contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. GeoBlue can help determine accessibility abroad, and, where possible under local laws and insurance coverage, they may be able to arrange access to testing and supplies in-country. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments. Mental Health 30

3. Prescriptions. If you are taking prescription medicine to manage your health, please refer to the section in this handbook on prescriptions. Some common forms of anti-anxiety medications and psychostimulants prescribed in the United States are illegal or unavailable in certain countries. Follow the instructions to work with GeoBlue Insurance on determining availability and accessibility while abroad.

4. Continuing Care. The GeoBlue insurance includes a provision for certain coverage of both outpatient and inpatient support for mental health conditions, including preexisting conditions (see insurance coverage for details and exclusions). An important factor in pre-departure planning is determining the availability of English language medical professionals in your city, region or country abroad.

GeoBlue has a searchable function for medical professionals available at https://www.geo-blue.com/personalized_destination/. If you cannot identify a professional or want to clarify coverage with another local professional, contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States ) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. You will need to have your GeoBlue enrollment card and certificate number to access this service.

Please contact your education abroad coordinator if you would like to expedite your insurance enrollment to utilize this service. In addition, your primary insurance may have additional resources or coverage. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments.

5. If you are not currently receiving treatment but are concerned about managing your mental health abroad, Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) has trained medical professionals who can work with you to develop a plan to address your concerns and manage your health abroad. CCS services are free to all currently enrolled students for up to ten sessions per academic year. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 614-292-5766. CCS appointments are scheduled well in advance and are managed by level of urgency, so plan ahead and prepare to schedule this conversation at least two months before you depart on your program. 

Many faculty and staff are increasingly interested in ways to travel “green,” although what this means and how it can be applied to study abroad varies widely. “Green travel” is an overarching term used to describe responsible travel practices that focus on economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability. Green travel is about making sure that travelers choose businesses, tour operators and transportation methods that maintain and preserve the ecological integrity of the environment and contribute to local community development, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of current or future generations.

M - Modes of transportation Consider walking or cycling during your trip.

O - Offsets and environmental policy Calculate and offset the carbon dioxide emitted by your travel and buy your trip from companies with policies that consider environmental, economic and socio-cultural norms.

D - Dollars spent locally Ensure that local people benefit from your trip by spending money in community or locally-owned business and working with tour operators and lodges that employ local people.

E - Environmental conservation Choose a trip that strengthens conservation efforts and enhances the natural integrity of the places you visit, including protected areas and wildlife habitats.

R - Respect for local culture Immerse yourself in and accept the differences of other cultures — learn about their customs and social norms before you visit, and speak their language when possible.

N - Natural resource use Reduce, reuse and recycle — consider the efficient use of water, energy and building materials, as well as the method of waste disposal used by your tour operator or lodging establishment.

The International Student Identity Card provides the most widely accepted proof of student status worldwide. This card enables students to receive a number of special privileges and discounts throughout the world, such as reduced or free admissions to museums, theaters, concerts and cultural and historical sites, as well as discounted prices on airfare and other travel. For more information about the International Student Identity Card, please visit isic.org.

Remember, When you arrive in and depart from your host country, you will be required to pass through Immigration and Customs. Immigration will check your passport and visa (if required) and Customs may check your luggage to ensure that you are following the import/export regulations for the country. In some cases, the foreign immigration system may receive criminal data from the United States, and entry can be denied to those with prior criminal records (including misdemeanors). You will also have to pass through Immigration and Customs when you return to the United States

A valid passport is required to enter and leave most countries and must be obtained through the U.S. Department of State. Passports are required for every study abroad program.

Due to potentially long delays in processing time for new and renewed U.S. passports, for both regular and expedited services, you must apply for your passport as early as possible.

If you currently have a passport, check the passport expiration date.

Most countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the end date of your study abroad program. If your passport will expire before then, you should apply to renew your passport immediately.

If you do not have a passport, apply for one immediately. Passport applications for U.S. citizens are available at many post offices, including the Campus Post Office on West 18th Avenue in the Journalism Building. Detailed passport information and application forms can also be found on the web at passports.state.gov/passport.

Each passport application must be accompanied by the following materials:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate if you are a U.S. citizen by birth or your naturalization certificate if you are a naturalized citizen) OR VISA
• Proof of identity (items containing your signature and physical description or photograph, such as your driver’s license)
• Two photographs (must be passport-sized photographs meeting the specifications stated on the application)
• Passport fee in US is of $135

To help you prepare for your studies abroad, the Office of International Affairs will schedule one or more pre-departure orientation sessions for you.

These orientation sessions will provide basic information about studying abroad  student and will cover specific program information.

Your attendance at each orientation session is mandatory.

These sessions will provide you with essential information about your program and destination, allowing you to make the most of your experience.

During these orientations, you will: Students will also be required to complete an online health and safety orientation with assessments prior to departure.

BEFORE YOU DEPART ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS REGISTRATION FOR OHIO STATE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Please read this section carefully, as it provides information on Ohio State registration and program fee payment for the various Ohio State study abroad programs. If you are uncertain about which type of program you are on, please consult your education abroad coordinator.

 • Receive essential information about your program, such as travel, visa, housing, health, safety and transfer credit information.

• Meet other student participants and your resident director (if applicable).

• Discuss academic standards for your program and host country.

• Have an opportunity to ask questions.

The Office of International Affairs congratulates you for choosing to study abroad this is what you will here soon. Soon you will find yourself fully immersed in a new and exciting environment, gaining international experiences that will broaden your perspectives about the world in which we live. By studying abroad, you are taking the first step to becoming a truly global citizen, a choice that will shape both your life and your future professional career. In today’s global market, it is increasingly important for students to graduate with critical thinking skills, technical expertise and the ability to communicate effectively in cross-cultural environments. As universities across the nation prepare their students to excel in the global marketplace, Ohio State continues to implement strategies that will integrate international themes into the curriculum and across all majors. Our goal is for every student to attain global competencies, which can be defined as: the ability to work effectively in international settings; awareness of and adaptability to diverse cultures, perceptions and approaches; familiarity with the major currents of global change and the issues they raise; the capacity for effective communication across cultural and linguistic boundaries; and the ability to comprehend the international dimension of one’s field of study. With your decision to study abroad, you have taken the initial step. When you study in another country, you will be exposed to a whole new way of living and learning. Remember to keep an open mind and embrace the experience. Please review this Education Abroad Handbook carefully, and be sure to attend all pre-departure orientations so that you are well prepared for both your time abroad and your return to Ohio State. We are committed to adding a global dimension to your education and we hope you have a rewarding experience.

1. Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
2. Oxford and Cambridge Society of India Scholarship
3. USIEF Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
4. Chinese Government Scholarship
5. International PG Research Scholarship by Australia
6. Huawei Maitree Scholarship for study in China
7. Raman-Charpak Fellowship for Indian and French Ph.D students
8. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University,
9. US UCD UG scholarship
10. Oxford University's Rhodes Scholarship
11. University of Sheffield's Scholarship
12. India4EU II Scholarship to study in Europe
13. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
14. Inlaks Scholarship
15. Hornby Scholarship to study in the UK
16. Melbourne - India PG Scholarship
17. University of Sessex Scholarship
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Students can apply for the scholarships after procuring detailed information on eligibility from individual websites of above mentioned