Health emergencies while studying abroad: What to do and who to call

Studying abroad is an adventure of a lifetime.

But collapsing from heat stroke in Madrid or breaking your leg while skiing in the Swiss Alps are very real risks.

According to the Forum on Education Abroad’s 2024 Student Risk Report, one in 357 study abroad students faced serious health emergencies requiring hospitalisation, with 58% requiring immediate hospital admission.

Understanding what to do and who to call in these critical moments can mean the difference between a managed crisis and a catastrophic outcome.

When you arrive in a new country, do one thing before anything else: locate the nearest hospital or urgent care clinic to where you’ll be living. Doing it in a panic during an emergency is not the time. Source: Pexels

Before emergency strikes: Essential preparation

Your first line of defence begins weeks before departure. Schedule an appointment with a travel health specialist at least four to six weeks before you leave for country-specific health assessments and required vaccinations.

This timing matters because some vaccines require multiple doses or take weeks to become effective.

While preparing your medical documentation:

• Research and save local emergency numbers immediately — the UK uses 999 and 112, Australia uses 000, Canada uses 911 (like the US), the European Union uses 112, and Japan uses 119 for fire and ambulance and 110 for police. Do not assume 911 works everywhere.
• Create a digital emergency folder containing your insurance card with a 24/7 hotline, passport copy, detailed medication list, allergy information, and primary physician contact details.

Then, register with your home country’s embassy or consulate. For instance, US students should use the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP). This free service enables emergency location and assistance during crises. 

Before leaving campus, identify the exact address of the nearest hospital or urgent care clinic to both your accommodation and programme location. Share your complete emergency plan with at least two people back home.

During a medical emergency: Step-by-step actions

First, rapidly assess severity. Conditions requiring immediate medical evaluation include:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• head injuries
• prolonged bleeding
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• loss of consciousness
• fever with neck stiffness
• seizures
• exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• sexually transmitted diseases. 

For these life-threatening situations, call local emergency services without delay.

For non-emergencies, contact your campus clinic first. They can direct you to appropriate care facilities familiar with treating international students and may have direct billing arrangements. Examples of non-emergencies include:

• upper respiratory infections
• mild GI upset
• rashes
• low-grade fever
• abrasions
• small lacerations,

More importantly, have essential information ready: your exact location with cross streets or landmarks, specific symptoms, current medications, known allergies, and your insurance policy number.

Expect some language barriers. This is when you can show written medical information from your emergency folder, or ask nearby locals or programme coordinators to help communicate with emergency responders.

If you take prescription medication, make sure you carry documentation from your doctor and research whether your medication is legal in your destination country. Source: Pexels

Key contacts to have on speed dial

It’s best to have these numbers in your phone:

• local emergency services (ambulance/police — verify the specific number for your country)
• your study abroad programme’s 24/7 emergency hotline, if any
• travel insurance company’s international emergency line
• the nearest embassy/consulate for your country
• trusted local contact (warden, host family, resident advisor, or programme coordinator)
• your family’s emergency contact.

Having the right contacts is only half the battle — you need the right insurance coverage too.

If you’re on a J-visa, the US Department of State requires you to have insurance with at least US$100,000 in medical coverage, US$50,000 for medical evacuation, and US$25,000 for repatriation of remains.

Why does evacuation coverage matter so much? The CDC reports medical evacuations cost US$100,000 or more, with student insurance experts recommending at least US$250,000 in evacuation coverage.

Here’s the catch: your family’s regular health insurance probably doesn’t cover international emergencies or evacuation. Check your coverage before you go, regardless of where you’re from — those gaps can become financial disasters.s