Health and Safety

At Northeastern University, the health and safety of our students is our highest priority. The N.U.in Program provides robust support through a combination of resources from both Northeastern University and our partner institutions abroad. This ensures that students receive comprehensive care and assistance throughout their time in The N.U.in Program.

This page provides an overview of the key health and safety measures in place for students during their N.U.in experience. Additional details and guidance for students and families will be shared during the N.U.in Pre-Departure Orientation over the summer.

 

Insurance While Abroad

Health Insurance: You must maintain personal health insurance that is valid in your home country and abroad. You may be covered under a domestic health insurance plan with international coverage, or a supplemental international health insurance carrier. You are strongly encouraged to check with your current insurance carrier to see what kind of coverage is offered abroad.

As part of the N.U.in Czech Republic program, students receive PVZP insurance through the University of New York in Prague. Students will be automatically enrolled in the insurance policy and the associated cost will be included in the program fee. This is required for all student visa-holders. For students who wish to receive care for a pre-existing condition in Prague and would like to have the PVZP insurance coverage, there is an option to purchase a supplemental insurance policy.

University-Provided Urgent and Emergency Coverage: Northeastern University maintains coverage to respond to costs associated with accidents and emergency/urgent illnesses. This is not health insurance. For more details on this policy, please visit the international travel insurance website.

Travel Insurance: You are encouraged to research whether you would like additional insurance that covers loss of money due to trip interruption or cancellation, as well as loss of baggage and personal effects either while traveling or living in the student residence.

Prescription Medication and Ongoing Medical Care Needs While Abroad

Well before your departure, discuss with your physician any prescription or medical care needs while studying abroad. If you are currently under the care of a specialist, please note that specialist physicians may have limited availability or may require local referrals while abroad. It is recommended that you have a plan in place prior to departure to ensure continuity of care. Please note, not all medications may be available locally and regulations vary between countries.

Packing Prescription Medication: Please note that not all medications may be available in Czech Republic; if possible, make arrangements to bring an entire semester’s worth of medication. Prescription medications should be packed in your carry-on luggage in the original containers with documentation from your doctor. If you are traveling with more than 90 days worth of medication or medications that may be considered controlled substances, we recommend checking with the embassy of the country you will be traveling to in order to ensure you have the proper documentation for your medication.

Shipping Prescription Medication: We do not recommend shipping prescription medication. If you require a medication refill while abroad, please coordinate with a medical professional well in advance to discuss your options.

Medical Disclosure

N.U.in students can disclose medical information in the General Program Enrollment Form on their Northeastern University Application Status Check Checklist. Please indicate any medical conditions or allergies that you would like site staff to be aware of. If you require accommodations, please follow the process outlined below. We recommend that students have access to digital copies of their immunizations, recent health reports and any condition specific information including medication. Should a student need medical care while abroad, having this documentation available provides assistance in understanding and developing a treatment plan.

Disability Accommodations

If you require accommodations during your time in N.U.in Czech Republic, you must apply through Disability Access Services at Northeastern University. The Disability Access Services will then work with the partner institution on accommodation requests. Students should also speak to their professors individually to alert them of any approved accommodations.

If you have any specific questions about the accommodations process overall, please reach out to the Disability Access Services.

University Health & Counseling Services (UHCS) Immunizations Requirement

All students enrolled in The N.U.in Program must submit proof of immunity to various diseases. The vaccinations required are set by the state and local health departments. Students are required to upload their immunization information prior to the deadline. The University Health & Counseling Services website provides detailed information on required and strongly recommended vaccinations and testing.

Northeastern University partners with Sentry MD, a confidential health record compliance service, to provide a streamlined document review and tracking solution. This process is designed to make it easy for you to manage your health requirements. All incoming students must submit the required vaccination documentation to Sentry MD.

For questions about the immunization requirements or submitting documentation, contact Sentry MD (Please allow 48 business hours for a response): [email protected]

For general questions about immunizations, contact University Health and Counseling Services: +1.617.373.2772 | [email protected]

Medical Facilities

There are several major hospitals within the city of Prague. Many are comprehensive care providers, while others are specialists. The health insurance policy that all visa-holders are required to purchase – PVZP – is an arm of the national insurance provider and is widely accepted in Prague.

The General University Hospital in Prague (Všeobecná Fakultní nemocnice v Praze) is only an 8-minute drive from UNYP. This hospital provides basic and specialized outpatient and inpatient care, as well as an emergency department. PVZP insurance is accepted at this hospital.

Hospital Na Frantisku Prague is located in the city center. It has an Accident & Emergency Department with some staff who speak English. Although it is about a 10-minute drive from UNYP, ambulances may use this hospital for incidents within the city center.

Polyclinic AGEL Prague is a local clinic that offers walk-in hours from 7:30-9:00 AM Monday- Friday. This is a great option for basic illnesses and minor injuries. Many staff speak English. Translation is available if needed. The clinic is a 4-minute drive or a 13-minute walk from UNYP. The PVZP insurance is accepted at this clinic, but students must remember to bring their insurance card and passport.

There are also dozens of medical clinics and specialty doctors within a 15-20-minute drive from UNYP. If students require non-emergent medical care, they can call the PVZP assistance line and receive guidance on which doctor/clinic is best to visit. The assistance line will reach out to the doctor/clinic to verify the student’s coverage prior to their visit, saving the student time and effort upon arrival in arranging insurance coverage for their care.

Pharmacies are located throughout the city. In the Czech Republic, pharmacies are widely utilized for minor ailments. Many pharmacists can speak English. Students can share their symptoms with the pharmacist and then the pharmacist will recommend certain over-the-counter medication.

Please note that site staff are available 24/7 to assist students when navigating a medical issue or dealing with an emergency. Students will receive a more detailed list of local support in their student guide prior to arrival.

Mental Health Resources

The N.U.in Program strives to support students all students as they adjust to college, living abroad and entering adulthood. Students have access to different mental health resources through local and virtual offerings.

UNYP offers the following mental health resources for students:

The UNYP Counseling Center is open to all UNYP students – whether they are degree-seeking or visiting. The Counseling Center is staffed by licensed counselors as well as by UNYP Masters in Psychology students in the Counseling track. The office is located just one street over from UNYP’s main facilities. Students can make an appointment with a counselor through UNYP’s website. There is no out-of-pocket cost to visit the Counseling Center.

There are also private pathways for students to obtain therapy and counseling services in Prague that students can take advantage of. Students will receive a more detailed list of local support in their student guide prior to arrival.

For access to private care options, students can contact the Global Safety & Support Network (+1.857.214.5332) prior to arriving at your program or while on-site.

Find@Northeastern – University Health and Counseling Services

Northeastern offers a suite of mental health resources through FIND@Northeastern. This includes 24/7 urgent mental health support from anywhere in the world through a partnership with Uwill. Students living outside of the US can call +1.781.457.7777 to receive support from a mental health counselor.

Many students choose to maintain a mental health treatment plan with providers from their home country to receive on-going support from providers they are familiar with during this major transition to college and life abroad.

The N.U.in Program offers various pathways for mental health support, starting with site staff who are the first point of contact. Students can access a suite of mental health resources through Find@Northeastern. Northeastern’s mental health guides offer students and families information on navigating university resources, how to support one another, and how to communicate with instructors. We recognize that for many, this is your first time away from home—a time of new experiences, exciting opportunities, and challenges. We encourage students to be self-advocates and reach out for support.

Safety Resources While Abroad

All Northeastern University students, faculty, and staff requiring medical, security, and travel assistance abroad can obtain assistance through the Northeastern Global Safety & Support Network. Please contact the 24/7 international assistance hotline +1.857.214.5332 or +44.20.3467.1773 (international collect calls are accepted) to access support services provided by our partner, Crisis24, a GardaWorld company. They will also notify the Global Safety Office of your call to provide an added layer of support.

Northeastern Travel Registry:  Please be sure to register your travel by visiting the Crisis24 Horizon portal and log in with your Northeastern email and credentials. You can also find this portal by searching for “My Travel Plans” in the Student Hub. Once registered, download the mobile app by the same name to stay updated on important travel safety related information.

The N.U.in program will register group flight and accommodation data on student’s behalf. Students should enter any independent travel during the semester and make sure your contact information remains updated. More information can be found on Northeastern University’s Global Safety website.

Traveling Outside the Host Country: Students are able to travel independently during their time with The N.U.in Program, provided the planned country of travel is not considered a “high-risk destination.” Other considerations and program deviation policies include:

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): U.S. citizens can register their travel plans with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. We strongly encourage you to register, as this is a free service that will allow the U.S. State Department to better assist citizens abroad in the event of an emergency.

For more information about health and safety, review the following resources for your destination country and any personal travel destinations.

• CDC Traveler’s Health
• US Department of State Travel Advisories (Review the Country Security Report linked within the travel advisory) 
• Goverment of Canada Travel Advisories
• U.S. Director of National Intelligence Guidance for Traveling with Electronic Devices

Parent Resources

While Northeastern offers numerous services to help keep your student safe during their travels, safety is everyone’s responsibility and we could not do it without parent & family support. We understand that international travel, especially for extended periods of time, can be both an exciting and stressful experience for families. We encourage you to review Northeastern’s Global Safety Office website for additional guidance and tips on supporting students participating in global experiences at Northeastern.