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.

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

Prior to 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.

Packing Prescription Medication: Please note that not all medications may be available in Greece; 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 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: You should check the requirements for shipping medications with both the courier service and Greek customs. In some cases, the recipients may need to pay a fee to receive the package. It is not uncommon for packages to be held up in customs because more information is needed for delivery to be completed.

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.

Disability Accommodations

If you require accommodations during your time in N.U.in Greece, 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.

University Health & Counseling Services (UHCS) Immunizations Requirement

State law requires that all students provide proof of immunity to certain diseases before arriving at the university. The immunization requirements are specified on the University Health and Counseling Services website. 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 by ______ to demonstrate compliance.

For questions about the immunization requirements or submitting documentation, contact Sentry MD: [email protected]

For general questions about immunizations, contact University Health and Counseling Services: 617.373.2772 | [email protected]

Medical Facilities

There are many local hospitals and clinics students can go to in case of urgent health care needs. Nearby options include:

ACT has an MD on site during select hours for walk-in appointments. Outside of office hours, students may schedule an appointment at the MD’s private practice off-campus. All consultations with the ACT MD are free of charge to the ACT community. The MD may refer individuals to a specialist or for further testing. Services obtained elsewhere are subject to the applicable fees.

Ag. Loukas Private Hospital and the Interbalkan Medical Center are the two medical facilities that we connect with mainly for student healthcare. Ag. Loukas (St. Luke’s) is located very close to campus and Interbalkan is about 20 minutes by car from the hotels. Both facilities have a slightly different process with patients; we will share a more complete list of information for each closer to student departure.

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 with pre-existing mental health concerns as well as those who do not have a history of mental health needs before making the adjustment to college and living abroad.

ACT offers the following mental health resources for students:

ACT Counseling Office focuses on the well-being of the ACT Community and offers a range of services throughout the semester. Appointments or registration may be required.

There are also private pathways for students to obtain therapy and counseling services in Thessaloniki that students can take advantage of. The psychologist can provide an updated list of local bilingual mental health professionals with specializations in various areas of special interest. 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

Students can also use FIND@Northeastern, a Northeastern mental health hotline.

Students living abroad can call +1.781.457.7777 to gain assistance from a mental health counselor 24/7. Students can also use the below link and website to initiate contact:

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 encourages students to be self-advocates and speak up for what they need regarding mental health support. Students can use site staff as resources to best assist them in gaining access to mental health resources while on site.

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 (international collect calls are accepted) to access support services provided by our partners, the Collinson Group and Crisis24, a GardaWorld company. They will also notify the Global Safety Office of your call to provide an added layer of support.

Please be sure to register your travel by visiting the GardaWorld Travel Security portal and log in with your Northeastern email and credentials. Once registered, download the mobile app by the same name to stay updated on important travel safety related information.

Northeastern Travel Registry: Northeastern University requires all students to enter their travel itinerary and housing accommodations into “My Travel Plans” (also known as the Travel Registry) on the Student Hub. You should also 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.

Additional Resources: For more resources, visit the U.S. State Department, which provides information on safety for travelers abroad, including tips on handling money, traveling on public transportation, and safety in a hotel.