Health and Safety Abroad
Important Note: All students are required to have a working cell phone for the duration of their participation in a program at the Tufts European Center in Talloires. You will find information about cell phone options in our section on Additional Expenses.
A critical component of having a successful experience in France is staying healthy and safe. When studying abroad, it is important to recognize that your health may be affected in unexpected ways. When your environment changes—including time zone, climate, food, and water—even well-managed conditions can be challenging when you’re far from home. While we know that unexpected health and safety situations can arise, there are a number of ways you can prepare ahead of time to mitigate any problems you may encounter.
- Take the time to consider your overall health and what your physical, mental, and emotional needs may be while you are abroad.
- Meet with your primary care doctor and talk about specific steps to maintain your health while you are in France.
- Consult with your mental health professional before you leave to discuss any concerns you may have about being in France. Please note that mental health support is not readily available in our region of France and is made more difficult by potential language barriers.
- Familiarize yourself with the resources that are available to help guide and support you (see below).
All students are required to have health insurance coverage when they participate in a program at the European Center.
The Annecy-Talloires region has numerous doctors and pharmacies, and there are two large medical centers: the Clinique General d’Annecy and the Hospital Annecy-Genevois. More detailed information about medical access, prescription medication, and potential costs can be found on our Additional Expenses page.
Tufts Global Assistance and Medical Coverage
Tufts University proudly partners with On Call International, to provide global assistance and medical coverage to all Tufts travelers on university related business and programs. All Tufts European Center students, faculty and staff are covered by On Call International. More information can be found via the Tufts Global Operations website.
The Tufts Travel Registry
The Tufts European Center will enroll you in the Tufts Travel Registry, the official and authoritative source of traveler information that forms the basis for the University’s emergency response protocols and communications strategy when responding to an emergency or critical incident abroad.
Online Resources
The U.S. government monitors the political conditions in every country around the world. For current information, advisories, or warnings:
- US. State Department website
- US. State Department Country Specific Information for France
- US. State Department’s "Students Abroad"
Be aware of local health conditions abroad. For current health conditions on your travel destinations: