<p>The important issue the ebola crisis should raise for your study-abroad child is what kind of int’l coverage does your medical insurance have? Will your insurance company med-evac you in a medical emergency in a foreign country?</p>
<p>We live overseas. In addition to int’l medical insurance coverage, we register at the local US Embassy, and we also have International SOS – it’s a global medical & security crisis concierge service.<br>
<a href=“https://www.internationalsos.com/en/”>https://www.internationalsos.com/en/</a>
We get regular email security notices from both the US Embassy & from International SOS. Whenever my employer’s travel desk issues me an int’l air ticket, it notifies Int’l SOS of my plans to transit or visit countries in my flight itinerary. I then get country-specific security updates from Int’l SOS.</p>
<p>A lot of multinational companies, NGOs, diplomatic organizations subscribe to International SOS service for their overseas staff. If the poop hits the fan due to a medical emergency, a natural disaster, or a political coup, we can call their hotline number and they have a global network to address the crisis.</p>
<p>@GMTplus7, thanks for the link to International SOS. I got a quote for my son - if he’s in Lebanon for two months, the coverage costs only $180 for the more expensive plan. Well worth the cost! Here is a link from that site with some interesting graphs about ebola: <a href=“Login”>Login;
<p>@MaineLonghorn I’m a Lebanese citizen living in Switzerland. I visit Lebanon twice a year, every year, for no less than 3 months, and let me tell you that I’ve never even been pick pocketed! I’ve actually witnessed more fights in Switzerland than in Lebanon… Despite having a small number of extremists, the majority of the Lebanese population is actually well educated and very hospitable, especially to tourists! My advice is that he goes with someone who knows the region and to avoid the borders with Syria and Israel, if he stays in Beirut he should be perfectly fine.</p>
<p>Um…we had a friend years ago who was kidnapped in that group at the International School…in Beirut, </p>
<p>MLs advice is spot on. I don’t believe she said the majority of Lebanese were an issue. But if one happens to end up on contact with those who are extremists, that is another whole issue.</p>
<p>I believe the department of state continues to have a travel advisory for U.S citizens wishing to travel to Lebanon.</p>
<p>And it also makes every bit of sense to educate those traveling to be mindful of their belongings. As a native of Lebanon, you are likely aware of the risks and are vigilant. </p>
<p>@thumper1 Years ago? Can you specify the exact event because as far as I know there have been no kidnappings at a school in Beirut within the past few years. Of course you should always be aware of the risks, nevertheless you shouldn’t over exaggerate the risks.</p>
<p>@thumper1 We cannot disregard when this took place! That would be like saying you shouldn’t go to New York because of 9/11! Anyways I think you might be mistaking Beirut for somewhere else, the last hostage situation was in 2011 when Estonian bikers crossed the Lebanese-Syrian border, which is quite a dangerous place. Please make sure your statements are factual before posting.</p>
Not to add to your worries…</p>