What Is the Value of Offering International Students Health Insurance?

International students are an important demographic in any school, from the secondary level to post-secondary. They bring a sense of diversity to campus as well as a unique perspective to classroom discussions. Domestic and foreign students alike will feel like they have gained new knowledge just from spending time together in class.

Students from abroad can also help institutions reach their enrollment targets. Some countries like the US are intentionally targeting students from other countries in reaction to both population decline and the need for skilled labor. These relationships can benefit the incoming students as well as the local region.

To attract high quality applicants, your school needs to be able demonstrate that you have the resources to properly support your students. Services like English tutoring, an international center, and counselors are all standard at most colleges and universities. To have a complete suite of support, you also should consider the value of offering health insurance for international students.

It Makes Life Easier for International Students

Studies show that international students experience culture shock when coming to live in a new country. If you put yourself in the shoes of a person living in a new country, you can understand why. Everything that was once familiar—the food, the vocabulary, the culture—might be completely different. Furthermore, if English is not their first language, there will be an added level of effort to simply communicate with their peers on a regular basis.

To assist with reducing the number of stressors for your international students, make health insurance a priority for your institution. Students will appreciate having one less item to worry about if insurance is vetted for them and the costs of insurance is already included with their tuition. That way, they can on their studies and getting the most out of their time abroad.

It Will Demonstrate Your Institution’s Student-Centered Approach

In the past, there was an expectation for students to fit the mold of their school. Students had to do whatever they could to fit in, and their needs were not always respected. In our current age with limitless options, many institutions have taken an approach to meet the needs of the student instead of the other way around.

By letting your prospective students from around the world know that you have thoughtfully considered their health concerns, you will demonstrate that you value the complex needs of your student body. Instead of having your students scramble to find proper coverage, you can forge relationships with an insurance provider in advance to secure insurance for all your incoming students.

It Will Help Build Relationships for Your Institution

International students tend to decide on their school based on conversations with their family and friends. By standing out as a school that supports international students with services like health insurance, you can continue to build relationships with communities across the world. Graduates of your programs may go back home and tell their friends and families about how great their time was at your school—and you can’t put a price on word-of-mouth promotion. In the age of social media, they probably will also post pictures and tweet about their studies at your school. You want to make sure you’ve done all that you can to make them happy and healthy.

There are always going to be many layers in supporting the diverse needs of your student body. As hard as you try to please everyone, it can be difficult to find a way to make all of your students happy. Fortunately, health insurance for international students is one item that you can easily provide by getting in touch with an insurance provider. If you need assistance with any international student insurance products, you can contact LewerMark for information on all your options.