Safety and Wellbeing

From 'freshers flu' to acute anxiety, there are many aspects of your wellbeing that are important to consider before you leave for your study abroad adventure. Our Student Health and Wellbeing Service has some brilliant information and resources to help you prepare.

Top tips for staying healthy abroad

check any medications that you need are allowed to be brought into the country where you will be studying
get into a good sleep routine as soon as you can in your new timezone
don't forget your veggies – our diet hugely impacts our physical and mental wellbeing
talk to someone you trust regularly – even just a 5 minute chat, or a longer heart-to-heart when you need it
keep a positivity bullet journal to record your adventure
rest – not every day has to be jam-packed with work and adventures

If you have a specific health issue or wellbeing concern, we recommend that you seek advice and support from the Student Health and Wellbeing Service and your doctor to prepare for your experience.

Disability support

Newcastle University can support you in making plans for going abroad if you have a disability. We can help to ensure that your safety and wellbeing has been fully considered ahead of departure.

You can find information on all the support available on the Disability Support pages from the Student Health and Wellbeing Service.

LGBTQIA+ support

The safety and wellbeing of all our students is of paramount importance. It's important to understand how different cultural norms and local laws may impact your study abroad experience.

Stonewall's Global Workplace Briefings offer valuable details on your destination.

If you have any concerns, you can access LGBTQIA+ support via our Health and Wellbeing Services.

Country alerts

Before you travel, you should read the country information on the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website. You should also sign up to receive country alerts for each area that you will be travelling to or through during your time abroad. You will then receive an email if any of the security advice for those areas changes. This could include natural disasters, illness epidemics, terrorist threats, transport problems and more).

AIG Travel Assistance

Current registered Newcastle University students participating in an overseas placement will receive insurance cover from AIG Travel Assistance. We strongly recommend that you download the AIG Travel Assistance app to help ensure effective travel risk management, whether prior to travel, during your time abroad, or when you are returning home.

The AIG Travel Assistance app provides you with convenient access to in-depth travel, security and health information 24/7, 365 days a year. This includes:

security awareness training
country reports
security travel alerts
Global News roundup
MyHealthPortal (an online health clinic with access to fully trained nurses in the UK via phone, email, SMS or online chat)

To download the AIG Travel app, follow these steps:

Go to the Apple App Store or Android Play Store from your smartphone and search for AIG. Tap on AIG Travel.
Click on 'Register'. Then tap on 'Country where coverage was purchased' and select 'Global Watch'.
Provide your name, email address and the University AIG policy number (0010628132). If you receive a duplicate email error, click on 'Forgot Your Password' to reset your password.
You will receive an automated email containing further instructions on obtaining website access. Make sure to check your spam/junk folder.
After you have successfully logged in, follow the instructions for mobile access. You will receive an automated email containing further instructions. Make sure to check your spam/junk folder and allow emails from noreply@salesforce.com and AIGTravelAlerts@e5.aigdigital.com.
If you have a phone equipped with Touch ID or Face ID, you will have the option to sign in using your fingerprint or facial recognition.
Once you have completed the registration, you may use the same login credentials to access the app and the AIG website.