Health & Safety

During your AYA studies, you will be covered by a comprehensive study abroad insurance policy for illness and accident. This policy is required by UNO for all students studying abroad. This policy is normally effective for the terms of the program as listed on our website.

Participants are also covered by the Austrian student insurance plan, which provides for medical care and hospitalization with little or no out-of-pocket expense anywhere within Austria

If you wish to have additional coverage while you are traveling in Europe prior to or after the AYA program, please contact: T.W. Lord & Associates at 1-800-633-2360 or at info@twlord.com. The additional cost of the extended coverage is $1.00/day.

Every student is covered by the Study Abroad Insurance Plan provided through the program, as well as an Austrian student insurance.  If you have to go to a doctor or hospital, make sure to keep all bills and documentation!

The University Klinik of Innsbruck has an emergency room that is open 24 hours a day.

U.S. prescriptions cannot be honored or refilled in the EU, nor can medication be sent in the mail.  If you take prescription medications and can bring a supply to last your entire stay in the EU, do so.  Otherwise, inform the Resident Director of your need to see an appropriate doctor during your stay for a prescription accepted in the EU.  The following is a list of medications you should try to bring with you, in your carry-on luggage, along with a letter from the prescribing doctor confirming your medical need for such medication:

Or any other medications that require a prescription

• If you are diabetic and on insulin, please inform the Resident Director prior to your departure from the U.S., so that she can make appropriate arrangements for you to continue to see a doctor in Innsbruck who will prescribe your insulin.  Consider bringing an extra pump in case of breakage or loss.
• To be able to bring enough medicine for your entire stay, ask your insurance for a “vacation override” to be able to fill more than one prescription at once.

• Always bring prescription medication in your carry-on luggage.
• Do not have prescription drugs sent to you. They will be held up in customs and may be confiscated.

It is a good idea to pack a small first-aid kit of emergency supplies to tide you over in the beginning of a cold or flu until you decide if you want/need to see a doctor.  Austrian pharmacies have a wide range of over-the-counter medications which are comparable to the brands you may be used to, so help when you are sick is always available even without seeing a doctor.  The pharmacists speak English and are trained in over-the-counter recommendations.  You will be able to get everything you need in Innsbruck, but if you use any of the following regularly, bring a supply with you in your checked luggage:

aspirin/ibuprofen
a small bottle of cough syrup
Nasal/sinus medications
antacid tablets
antibiotic cream
a few bandaids

Pepcid, Prilosec, Tums, and Benadryl are nearly impossible to get in most European countries. Pain medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen is rather expensive in Europe.

Innsbruck is in a valley, surrounded by the Alps. The weather can change quickly so bring a warm jacket and rain gear, preferably something with a hood. Air conditioning is rare, so bring clothing for hot days and for travel to southern countries.

Austria is one of the European countries where Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is found. TBE is an illness caused by a virus spread through tick bites. You can also get TBE by eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products (such as milk and cheese) from infected goats, sheep, or cows. Students should familiarize themselves with this information from the Center for Disease Control on TBE and how to prevent it.

Water shoes ……beware of sea urchins and their spines especially if you are planning a trip to the beaches in Croatia.

Get a good night’s sleep for several nights before your departure. Go to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier than usual to help prepare your internal clock for the time change.

The time change between CST and CET is 7 hours+. Set your watch when you arrive in Europe.

Drink lots of water on the plane. Buy a big bottle of water after you get through security. Drink 2-3 liters of water on a travel day. Avoid caffeine.

On arrival day, do not take a nap. Exercise and natural light help overcome jetlag. Enjoy the fresh mountain air in Innsbruck by taking a stroll through Old Town or a jog along the Inn river.

Power through the day and go to sleep at about 10:00 pm.

Don’t drink alcohol! Re-hydrate from the long flight with lots of water.

You should realize that anytime you travel abroad there is potential for danger due to crime, political unrest, unforeseen "Acts of God," strikes that will delay your travel plans, etc. Therefore, we recommend that, if you have any concerns about traveling to a particular place, check the US Government Travel Advisory. 

1. Familiarize yourself with the State Department’s travel site and recommendations: travel.state.gov
2. Make sure you have a working cell phone for your entire time abroad and share your number with the program administration.
3. Beware of becoming intoxicated and do not get involved in drugs.
4. Buddy system – stay together, travel in SMALL groups.
5. Be cautious when you meet new people and NEVER bring them into the dormitory or your accommodations while travelling on weekends.
6. Blend in: Be mindful of appearance and behavior. Don’ be loud and obnoxious. Avoid expensive accessories when traveling. Don’t flash money/passport.
7. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are looking at your phone, you are not aware of your surroundings. “If you see something suspicious, say something.”
8. Enter the local emergency numbers given to you during orientation into your phone.  Always carry your University of Innsbruck I.D.
9. Remain up-to-date on current events – at your destination and at home.
10. Photocopy important travel documents – leave a copy at home.
11. Report any unusual activity of suspicious persons to the front desk staff at the dorm or the Resident Director.
12. Be aware of the political situation wherever you are. Stay away from places that are experiencing political unrest.
13. Keep away from areas known to have large concentrations of residents aligned with interests unfriendly to the United States.
14. Avoid events with large crowds, such as concerts, sporting matches, or demonstrations of any sort.
15. Avoid the media and don't feel like you have to comment or give an interview.

The general recommendations are still in effect.

1. Let program administrators and your family know where you are going.
2. Make sure your cell phone is working while you are travelling (charger, credit, not airplane mode).
3. Avoid events with large crowds, such as concerts, sporting matches, or demonstrations of any sort.
4. Keep your passport safe! Don’t keep all your travel documents and money in one place.
5. Inform yourself about the local U.S. embassies and consulates.
6. Don’t leave your bags or belongings unattended at any time.
7. Don’t let anyone give you anything to carry when traveling.
8. Have sufficient funds and/or a credit card on hand to purchase emergency items such as transportation tickets.
9. Don’t flash your money and be discreet when showing your passport.
10. Have the contact information of the Resident Director with you at all times.

These are just a few general rules you should be aware of. Most often, common sense will tell you what to do. Therefore, it is imperative that you avoid a situation in which common sense does not prevail--being intoxicated and using drugs.

In study abroad, as in other settings, YOU have a major impact on your own health and safety through the decisions you make before and during their program and by your day-to-day choices and behaviors.

1. Assume responsibility for all the elements necessary for your personal preparation for the program and participate fully in orientations.
2. Read and carefully consider all materials issued by the sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country(ies).
3. Conduct your own research on the country(ies) you plan to visit with particular emphasis on health and safety concerns, as well as the social, cultural, and political situations.
4. Consider your physical and mental health, and other personal circumstances when applying for or accepting a place in a program, and make available to the sponsor accurate and complete physical and mental health information and any other personal data that is necessary in planning for a safe and healthy study abroad experience.
5. Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage and abide by any conditions imposed by the carriers.
6. Inform parents/guardians/families and any others who may need to know about your participation in the study abroad program, provide them with emergency contact information, and keep them informed of your whereabouts and activities.
7. Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct, and emergency procedures of the program.
8. Be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Promptly express any health and safety concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals before and/or during the program.
9. Accept responsibility for your own decisions and actions.
10. Obey host-country laws.
11. Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others, and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.
12. Avoid illegal drugs and excessive or irresponsible consumption of alcohol.
13. Follow the program policies for keeping program staff informed of your whereabouts and well-being.
14. Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining emergency health and legal system services in the host country.

In study abroad, as in other settings, parents, guardians, and families can play an important role in the health and safety of participants by helping them make decisions and by influencing their behavior overseas:

1. Be informed about and involved in the decision of the participant to enroll in a particular program.
2. Obtain and carefully evaluate participant program materials, as well as related health, safety, and security information.
3. Discuss with the participant any of his/her travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.
4. Engage the participant in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
5. Be responsive to requests from the program sponsor for information regarding the participant.
6. Keep in touch with the participant.
7. Be aware that the participant rather than the program administration may most appropriately provide some information.