Ohio State encourages students, faculty and staff to have educational experiences abroad. Some may travel to other countries through the traditional Ohio State study abroad programs, while others may go with smaller groups or individually to conduct research, participate in field work, attend conferences, take part in internship programs or complete special projects.

The safety and welfare of everyone from Ohio State who travels abroad on official business is important. The Office of International Affairs provides information about supplemental health insurance, international travel conditions and how to register with the U.S. embassy in another country.

Please carefully review the travel guidelines and requirements for Ohio State students, faculty and staff traveling abroad. 

Study Abroad Health and Safety Committee

The Study Abroad Health and Safety Committee (SAHSC), appointed by the provost, was established to develop guidelines and formulate policies to maintain the health and safety of Ohio State students, faculty and staff who study, conduct research or conduct business in another country. The committee meets occasionally as required to review and discuss policies. The committee is also responsible for reviewing petitions by students planning to study in countries with current Department of State Travel Warnings and to recommend a prudent course of action to the provost.

Committee members include: Herb Asher, Special Assistant to the President; Wayne Carlson, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education; James Jacobs, Director of Student Health; Grace Johnson, Director, Study Abroad; Jan Neiger, Associate Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs; and Adrienne Strong, an undergraduate student majoring in biomedical science. William Brustein, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs and Dieter Wanner, Associate Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs, are the committee’s co-conveners.

SAHSC Policies

Any student traveling to study, conduct research or field work or participate in an international in another country with a Department of State Travel Warning must present a petition for traveling under these circumstances. The committee’s recommendation to the provost will depend on the academic value of the travel to the student’s curriculum, as well as on the current security and health conditions in the target country that may affect the student’s safety. Students traveling on an approved Ohio State study abroad program should present such a petition one month prior to the application deadline. Students traveling independently to conduct research, field work, etc...should present a petition a minimum of three months prior to proposed travel.

The following policy regarding the use of scholarships for such travel was recently approved by the Office of Academic Affairs:

The use of Ohio State-based scholarships for study abroad in countries under a current Department of State Travel Warning are subject to additional restrictions. Undergraduate students may only receive such awards for Ohio State recognized programs and contingent on receiving approval from SAHSC for such travel. Graduate and professional students proposing to travel for an individual project to a region currently under a Department of State Travel Warning may be eligible for such financial support pending approval of their travel petition to the Study Abroad Health and Safety Committee.

For further information, please contact Grace Johnson, Director, Study Abroad at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Students Traveling on Traditional Study Abroad Programs

For students traveling to another country as part of a traditional Ohio State study abroad program, you are automatically enrolled in supplemental health insurance. Learn more about health and safety while studying abroad.

Students, Faculty and Staff Traveling for Independent Study, Research and University Business

Students who are traveling to international locations for the purpose of undergraduate or graduate/dissertation research, internships, field work or independent study which is part of their academic program, are required to enroll in the university’s Supplemental Study Abroad Health Insurance which is provided through HTH Worldwide. Students also should register with the U.S. embassy or consulate. The supplemental insurance includes coverage for emergency assistance, evacuation and repatriation. The coverage is available through the Office of International Affairs. Learn more about the health insurance, U.S. embassy registration and scheduling an international travel appointment for students.

Faculty and staff who are traveling independently also have certain health and security requirements. If they are insured through an Ohio State health plan, their benefits are automatically extended through the Global Care network and they do not need to buy additional insurance. All provisions regulating international travel are intended to reduce risk to faculty and staff traveling abroad on official business for Ohio State. Learn more about health and security requirements for faculty and staff while traveling abroad.