Hi - my D is going to study abroad in Italy from Jan-May as part of a program approved by (but not a part of) her US university.
Have been researching, but wondered if anyone had experience how to prepare for any legal issues that might arise? The general guidance is clear - learn all about local and national laws/customs and don’t violate them, be respectful, follow the rules of the program, reach out to US embassy in an emergency.
But - I keep thinking there is something more we should learn? I’m quite familar w/the US legal system, but also know that Italy is very different and anyone can get swept up in the justice system based on a misunderstanding, etc. Would one hire a local lawyer? How would that work in the heat of the moment and is that something that should be researched? (D is very law abiding, just trying to prepare! ).
Also, for medical - we have (good) health insurance, but I wondered if most families got supplemental travel health insurance for their kids studying abroad? Like, if your kid was, say, mountain hiking and got hurt, it seems helpful to have insurance that would pay for the transport out to the hospital?
Advice. Don’t have your roommate get murdered? I don’t think there’s much you can do to prepare for potential legal situations except remind your daughter that different cultures may take some things more seriously than others. (Drugs, speeding, etc.) Generally speaking it’s much better to have a medical emergency in Europe than in this country.
Have you checked to see if the program requires/offers additional insurance? Many of them require it. I am not sure about the legal side but that might also be something with which the program would assist.
@mathmom - well, yes, Amanda Knox’s situation is inevitably in the back of mind!
@nc2020mom - I will check into whether the program offers supplemental insurance- medical and otherwise. I can’t be the only nervous parent playing through these scenarios!!
My daughter had to buy health insurance through her program. I forget what it cost but all together all the fees for the tuition (although they didn’t call it tuition), housing, the student fees, etc were less than her tuition would have been at her home school.
I know a student who had a heart condition and studied abroad in Italy. She ended up in a hospital there (she was fine - her heart monitor malfunctioned). Aside from language issues, she was treated well, and didn’t have to pay anything. I don’t know if she had special medical insurance for the trip or not.
When my D studied abroad, (well after the Knox case) I believe that she was guaranteed medical treatment should she need it. I think it was just what that country offers to anyone legally studying there.
As for lawyers, this is an odd thing to consider. We never discussed it with our kid. I never once considered it when I studied abroad. Perhaps your child should read up laws in Italy before going there. But I think most of it is common sense. Surely anything to do with drugs would be a no no. But let’s face it, many students do try drugs. If you think your child might be tempted, remind them of Britney Griner.
Honestly, I think you’re looking for things to worry about. Yes, make sure you know about the program’s policy on medical care, but legal stuff is so unlikely.
Lindagaf- yes, I’ve looked into the medical further (resources I was not aware of via the program till I dug further! ). That looks pretty good and as a back-up I’m looking into our insurance. Just know in my geographic area there are hospitals that are good for minor stuff but if you have a serious issue (e.g., one involving the need for a neurologist) you should definitely go to another hospital!
Yep definitely over-thinking on the legal but…Amanda Knox & Britney Griner so…just trying to prepare!
We didn’t need any extra insurance when my D studied in the Netherlands (they also traveled as a group under the program to Germany, Poland, Austria & Hungary). It’s possible that it was built into the cost of the program, but we didn’t need to take out an extra policy. Towards the end of her program, she was hit by motor scooter in the Netherlands while crossing in a crosswalk to go the library. Thankfully just bumps & bruises but she paid nothing for the ambulance rides to the hospital (and they brought her back to campus) or the medical care. The police told her that the person who hit her is responsible for all the medical bills (and they don’t wait for any long, drawn-out litigation to determine fault). They would even been responsible for her computer, had it been damaged.
I would worry about the legal stuff too, especially in Italy after Amanda Knox. I would make sure she knows about various laws that might be situational for her, but also I would hope that whatever program she is going through, makes sure that the students are aware. I’m guessing no one wants another situation like Knox (granted, that was a murder which is against the law everywhere, but it really highlighted what the justice system is like there for foreigners).
ETA - we also made my daughter watch the movie Brokedown Palace, before she left (a fictional movie about students traveling abroad who spend time in a prison (in Singapore, maybe?) because one of them met a cute guy and he talks her into doing something illegal.) Also, Locked Up Abroad works well
Instead of worrying about legal representations, I think it is better that you kid should understand about local laws (alcohol, drugs, littering, traffic…) so they do not unknowingly violate them.
When my kids were studying abroad they had my Amex platinum, which gave them additional protections - if they should need medical transport home, the card would pay for it. Most medical insurance wouldn’t cover for that. My insurance covered them overseas and they also had additional coverage through their programs.
Thanks momofmab & oldfort! D and I have reviewed the legal restrictions in Italy (already) and we will do so in greater detail before she leaves. She’s also hoping to visit a few other countries while in Europe (Sweden, France) so will need to review those law as well.
I will definitely suggest she watch Brokendown Place and Locked Up Abroad. Frightening but better to be aware of worst case scenarios than be oblivious…!
Medivac insurance is a great suggestion, Oldfort. Many people think of it in ER terms- kid is hiking up a mountain one weekend, breaks a leg in a fall. But truth be told, resort type areas (Italy, Swiss Alps, etc.) are used to these types of injuries, and their medical teams (clinic, small hospitals, etc.) are more than fine for those kinds of injuries.
Medivac is helpful for situations where the problem/solution is not clear cut and the local facility is under-resourced for testing. Kid presents at the local clinic with some stomach thing, appendix is fine, they send her back to the hotel. 12 hours later she’s vomiting and in pain. The Gastro on call won’t be in until tomorrow afternoon. Some helpful medic suggests it could be a parasite? Or should they test for STD’s? Maybe not. Probably just the flu. Go back to the hotel, get plenty of fluids. Not worth doing an ultrasound “yet”. Maybe bloodwork? Nah, get some rest. Call us tomorrow if you still feel lousy. Kid could be septic by the time someone takes her complaints seriously.
This is when the Medivac insurance is useful… Any doc in Europe can set a broken bone!
Great info here. Just to add our experience with my D spring semester abroad… Her program included health insurance but that ended when the program did. She stayed an additional week to travel so we did add a rider to our health insurance to cover her if anything happened that week. She also is an authorized user on my Amex so she had those travel benefits/coverage if needed.
IIRC, when my niece was in Italy, one of her friends had a medical condition for which she couldn’t get the meds there. It is illegal to send meds into Italy, so her parents were searching any of the other families going over to take the meds with them.
Insurance was required and purchased through the program.
Thanks for all the additional nuance! Much appreciated. I’ll look into the Medivac insurance. The program insurance does cover ‘retrieving the person from a remote area’ type stuff - but not that more subtle scenario that you described, blossom.
DramaMama2021 - yes, exactly - calling my insurance today to see if I can get a week of insurance if D stays a bit longer in Italy. If not, will need to look into some other sort of insurance.
zeebamom - re: meds - D’s program advises trying to get a longer supply from your doctor (they will provide a note if needed) before departure. Not sure if that would work in all cases, though…
I’ve been adamently against using credit cards for the past 2 years (have paid off cc debt, following the Dave Ramsey plan, budgeting only what I earn, etc.). But hearing about the benefits of Amex (platinum?) is making me rethink that - just for D’s trip.
Amex platinum has a fairly hefty fee, but if you were to purchase the Medivac insurance the cost would be about the same.
I am a fan of the platinum card because it gives you access to a lot of VIP lounges, extended warranty on electronics (when purchased with the card) and they have a great purchase protection program. I have lost few newly purchased items and they have refunded me the money. Other cards give you a lot of hassles with dispute with sellers (merchandise damaged, never arrived), but AmEx always credit me first and then work through the disputes. I have gotten into a habit of always putting major purchases on my AmEx.
Another thing you may want to bring to your kid’s attention is to make sure she follows each country’s entrance declaration requirements (not as applicable if only traveling within EU) - goods purchased, agriculture/meat products, etc., especially coming into the US. I always declare everything (way over $800 limit), but I have not had to pay any duties yet (lucky break could be over at some point). If you should get caught then it goes on your record and every time you go in and out of country, you would be flagged. At other countries, there may be other consequences. All info is so readily available on the internet now, just ask your kid to Google before going on any trips.
).
). That looks pretty good and as a back-up I’m looking into our insurance. Just know in my geographic area there are hospitals that are good for minor stuff but if you have a serious issue (e.g., one involving the need for a neurologist) you should definitely go to another hospital!
(a fictional movie about students traveling abroad who spend time in a prison (in Singapore, maybe?) because one of them met a cute guy and he talks her into doing something illegal.) Also, Locked Up Abroad works well