International & Domestic Programs Health and Safety

Our Approach to Health & Safety

The health and safety of our students is of utmost importance to Pomona College. The College has a careful process for assessing and selecting program partners that includes a review of health and safety practices and resources. The IDPO conducts ongoing monitoring and evaluation of our programs to ensure that they meet high standards for health, safety, and student support. In addition, we pay close attention to travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other safety and security resources. All students are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation that includes information on health and safety. In addition, programs provide an onsite orientation with location-specific health and safety guidance and resources.

For more information on the College’s approach, please review the Pomona College Policy Regarding College-Funded International Student Travel.

Planning for health and safety begins well in advance of departure. Students should consider personal health and safety needs and local risk factors as they select their programs; resources, norms, cultures, health care, and accessibility vary widely around the world. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers has a comprehensive list of travel health resources to help you plan. It is also recommended that you research your destination on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Travelers’ Health website and the U.S. Department of State’s U.S Students Abroad website. GoAbroad.com's Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales: Mental Health and Self-Care is another useful resource.

Our staff are available to discuss questions and concerns with students as they navigate program options and make plans for their health and wellness while off-campus. In particular, students with health or disability accommodation needs should plan in advance with an IDPO advisor and their program provider. Staff can help students to learn about what resources are and are not available at the programs and locations they are considering and can assist students with planning for continuity of care or setting up local accommodations, as needed and available.

Health & Safety

Health Form and Immunizations for Admitted Students

Students who participate in off-campus programs will be required to complete a health form as part of the pre-departure process. We recommend that students make an appointment with your primary care physician or Student Health Services in advance for a health exam and immunizations that may be required for travel. Although the form is not required of applicants until after they are accepted to the program, appointments often fill quickly, and you should plan ahead.

Be aware that your program provider may also require a completed medical form. You should contact your program provider about this prior to your medical appointment to enable you to complete both forms, if necessary, during one doctor's visit. Note that the physician must have conducted your medical exam within one year from the start date of your program and they should be someone to whom you are not related. Some programs require a more recent medical examination; contact your program provider for more information.

Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance

All students participating in international programs will receive supplemental emergency medical and evacuation insurance through The Claremont Colleges International Travel Insurance, in addition to any supplemental insurance provided by their program provider. Please visit the Medical Insurance page for more information about this insurance as well as requirements for your primary insurance plan.

Sexual Assault, Harassment and Discrimination

Pomona College is committed to preventing and intervening in all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination based on gender, gender identity/expression, and/or sexuality, including sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence.

Students who have been subjected to sexual assault, harassment, discrimination, or abuse are strongly encouraged to notify an on-site staff member, contact Pomona’s Title IX office, and/or reach out to the International and Domestic Programs Office for support and guidance. Title IX coordinators, policies, and resources at Pomona College are found here.

Keep in mind that IDPO staff and most other College faculty and staff have a duty to report information about an assault or harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. Students seeking a confidential resource may reach out to one of the confidential resources listed here.

After Hours Contact Information

Your program or host institution will provide you with local contact information in case of emergency. In addition, on-call staff of the International and Domestic Programs Office can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling Campus Safety at (909) 607-2000.

Other useful numbers to have on hand are the U.S. State Department Overseas Citizen's Emergency Center, which has information on medical, financial, or legal problems while abroad. In the U.S.: (888) 407-4747; from abroad: (202) 501-4444. Also, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (716-754-4883) offers information on English-speaking doctors abroad and other helpful items.

U.S. Department of State Information

The U.S. Department of State provides background information on your country, as well as travel advisories, travel preparation tips, and the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is where you may find updated information about the current political situation in your country, as well as a wealth of travel information. A great place to start is the page designed specifically for U.S. Students Abroad.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide travel health information for international and domestic travel. This is where you may find current health information for your program destination, advice for travelers, and information for studying abroad.