In 1990/91 I did a backpacking tour of the world, well half of it, and there were many Western students in many of these far away places either getting some kind of work experience overseas or studying. I was quite alarmed to find out that so many of these young learners had no cover in medical insurance of any description.

We’ve all been to that place when we were young where there’s a feeling of being totally invincible. Accidents, mishaps, and medical emergencies are things that happen to older people, and when we younger folks did fall victim to some of life’s unfair deals, it always happened to other people, but not us, not we youngsters of the here and now! It’s the mindset of many a carefree youth!

News flash: For the risk of sounding patronizing or sarcastic, it’s still important to make young learners aware that anyone at any age can get into health problems in an instant. Smug young students often seem to think that because they’re fit and healthy now, an insurance plan of any kind is just not necessary, and I’m here to tell you that that just ain’t true!

Many backpacking students are trying to do the ‘survival on a shoe string’ style of travel or educational experience, and so spending valuable cash on insurance doesn't even get a thought. But believe me, some kind of international medical insurance is an absolute necessity, not an option. In my book, if you can’t afford one of those low cost medical insurance for student plans, then you can’t afford to work, travel, or study abroad. You’re just a catastrophe waiting to happen.

A lot of young students opt for studying in distant lands and feel this is great for personal growth as well as being a fantastic educational experience in general.

One important detail that many students don’t give thought to before they embark on their journey to another country, is to consider what they would do if they become ill suddenly or find themselves in an accident.



Medical insurance for students is extremely important and you should have a policy in place before you even board the airplane. Even if your trip is a short one it’s just as important. Don’t worry, there are plenty of health insurance short term plans for students too.

You will find there are many companies that offer medical insurance for students who are traveling abroad. If the student is still covered under their parent’s medical insurance plan it’s advisable for the parents to inquire about traveling insurance. This might afford the family the best value for medical insurance for students who are studying in another country.

If the student has been paying for their own insurance they’ll want to check with their carrier. Many companies recognize that there is a need for medical insurance for students who study in foreign countries and they have policies that are focused just on those circumstances.

Another resource that might help the student is to inquire at the financial services department of the school they are attending. The people who work in this department have a lot of knowledge regarding medical insurance for students. In some cases certain insurance carriers provide medical insurance for students of a particular school at a discounted rate. This includes travel insurance.

Many insurance companies now sell their services online. The student should take a few moments and see what options are available to him or her via the internet. Some insurance companies are now only offering medical insurance for students. This is their specialty and it allows them to offer very competitive rates.

Students who are planning on taking up studying in another country need to be aware of what the medical insurance for students plan they choose is offering. It’s important to have basic coverage for things like doctor’s visits and hospital stays. Although no one likes to consider the possibility that they might become ill, it does happen and it’s best to be prepared.

If the student already has a pre-existing medical condition they need to take that into consideration. They’ll want to find medical insurance for students that include treatment for their condition. If this includes frequent trips to the doctor’s office they’ll need a more elaborate plan than a student who isn’t facing those same health struggles.

Any learner, be they young or old, who wishes to embark on some educational program away from queen and country, should look at taking out some form of medical insurance for students as an item on the top of their priority list. Once cover is in place, it’s time to relax and concentrate on that all important educational experience without the worry.

Remember, your general health and wellbeing overseas is your responsibility, and health insurance is a must. If you fail to take out an adequate policy and you find yourself needing emergency treatment, you could end up in a very sticky situation as some countries will neither operate nor care for patients until their costs are guaranteed up front