Health & Emergency Insurance for Study Abroad

When you're studying abroad, your safety comes first — and that starts with the right insurance. SIU requires all study abroad students to have international health and travel assistance coverage because most U.S.-based insurance plans don't offer enough support for overseas emergencies, care, or travel-related issues.

To make things simple (and affordable), SIU partners with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), a trusted international insurance provider.

How It Works

If you're going on a faculty-led Global Seminar, you'll be automatically enrolled in CISI coverage — and the cost is already included in your program fees.

If you're joining a different kind of program, the Study Abroad Office will enroll you in CISI and add the cost based on how long you're away.

Once you're enrolled, you'll get an email with your insurance documents. Be sure to print your insurance card before you leave — and save a copy to your phone just in case.

Arriving Early or Staying Late?

Thinking about extending your trip? You can buy extra insurance directly through CISI. SIU usually reports your coverage to include a few extra days after your program ends — just enough to give you a cushion — but not so much that it bumps you into a higher rate. If you're traveling longer, it's best to add coverage on your own.

What If Your Program Uses Its Own Insurance?

Some providers — like AIFS, CEA, USAC, WorldStrides and ISEP — already include their own insurance plans. If that's the case, you'll use their coverage instead of CISI. Other programs with mandatory coverage may also qualify — we'll handle it case by case.

Should I Keep My U.S. Insurance Too?

Yes, absolutely. Whether you're on the SIU Student Health Plan or your family's insurance, it's smart to keep it active while you're abroad. Here's why:

• Preexisting conditions (including prescriptions) aren't always fully covered by CISI.
• Coverage gaps can happen, especially between semester start/end dates.
• SIU insurance doesn't cover you abroad unless you're paying full campus fees — which you won't be while you're overseas.

Additional Insurance You Might Consider

CISI covers your health and emergency needs, but it doesn't cover everything. For extra peace of mind, think about purchasing:

• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
• Theft or lost baggage insurance

Sometimes these are available through the credit card you use to book your flight — or you can find separate policies online. SIU doesn't provide or reimburse for these types of losses, so it's good to be prepared.