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Explore these resources to help ensure your health, well-being, and safety while in the U.S.

Wellness Resources
Personal Safety
Emergencies
Health Insurance

World Events and Wellness Resources

World events, particularly in tragic times of war, unrest, and natural disasters, weigh heavily on our minds.  This is poignantly true for those separated from loved ones back home who may be in harm’s way.  JHU has a number of resources available to support individuals who are deeply feeling the impact of such events.  OIS and campus partners are available to assist you.  Never hesitate to reach out to OIS if you do not know which way to turn when you are struggling or are in need of support, and we will work to connect you to the appropriate resource.

OIS has regularly reached out to international students from impacted areas and invited them to support spaces, providing follow-up resources via direct email.  Individuals may also reach out directly to [email protected] with questions and requests, or review and use the following select resources:

  • Student Health and Well-Being resources blog (also noted in an Instagram post): https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/blog/2023/10/13/well-being-resources-for-students-affected-by-violence-in-israel-and-gaza/
  • Employee Assistance Program support and resources: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/support-programs/
  • Public Safety Escort Program: https://publicsafety.jhu.edu/resources-services/services-for-you/escort-program/
  • Coping with News resource: Student Health and Well-Being staff assembled some tips on “How to Handle a Stressful News Cycle.”
  • Requests for leave of absence or time off, including temporary alternate work/study arrangements:  International individuals struggling with world events who are having difficulty making a request of a professor or supervisor, or in receiving a requested accommodation, may contact their school’s student or academic affairs office, as well as OIS. While faculty and supervisors ultimately decide to allow leave or offer accommodations, immigration regulations often govern when and how long leave or accommodations are permissible. OIS advisors will advise on immigration restrictions, as well as advocate on your behalf with faculty, supervisors, and divisional leadership, as appropriate.
  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, contact the Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team at 410-516-WELL (9355) to speak with a crisis support clinician.
  • Report all instances of discrimination and harassment with the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) here.  Discrimination and harassment FAQs are available here.
  • Dial “911” for any emergency that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department, or ambulance, including when you are in a dangerous situation and need help.
  • The Johns Hopkins Briefing
    In this series, experts provide timely analysis and insights about topics of national and global importance and engage in real-time Q&A with the audience. The Office of Interdisciplinary Initiatives hosts the series.

Personal Safety

We hope you enjoy your time at JHU and embrace what Baltimore and Washington DC have to offer. We recommend reviewing the crime prevention tips provided by JHU Public Safety as you get settled into campus life and your new city.

Public Safety provides a free mobile app, LiveSafe, for the Hopkins community.  It allows for communication between Hopkins affiliates and Public Safety 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the event of an emergency.  Other features of this app include the ability to request an escort, receive alerts and to share location information with your friends and family.

Emergencies

If you or your family members ever experience an emergency and are in need of an ambulance, the fire department, or the police department, please call 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide the 911 operator with your specific location or address. Speak slowly and clearly so the operator will be able to direct help to you quickly.

Health Insurance

International students, scholars, faculty and staff who are eligible for health insurance through Johns Hopkins University must enroll through the JHU Benefits Office. The OIS does not advise on questions related to JHU health insurance. Individuals should consult the relevant section below for more information:

Student Health Insurance Information

This section covers health insurance information for Undergraduate, Graduate, Visiting and Exchange students.

Most international students at JHU are required to enroll in the JHU student health insurance plan and do not have the option to waive. International students enrolled in JHU health insurance coverage do not need to purchase an additional plan.

  • JHU undergraduate and graduate students on a J-1 or F-1 visa will be auto-enrolled into the Wellfleet medical insurance plan
  • Visiting students on a J-1 visa will need to enroll themselves into the Wellfleet plan

For more information, visit https://jhu.mycare26.com/ or email [email protected].

Postdoctoral Fellow Health Insurance Information

All JHU Postdoctoral Fellows are automatically enrolled in the JHU Learner Health Insurance Plan, administered by Wellfleet. Individual coverage for postdoctoral fellows is paid for by the hosting department. Hosting departments are not obligated to cover dependent insurance costs, but individuals may choose to add dependent family members to their JHU insurance within 31 days of the hire date or during annual enrollment (starting June 1 each year) online.

For more information, visit https://jhupostdocs.mycare26.com/ or email [email protected].

Johns Hopkins Faculty and Staff Health Insurance Information

Qualifying JHU Faculty and Staff have the option to enroll in JHU employee benefits. More information is available here.

*Not all academic appointment categories are eligible to enroll in a JHU Health Insurance plan.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors in need of a U.S. based plan, OIS cannot make specific recommendations, but we have verified with JHU Benefits that the companies below offer plans that meet J-1 minimum requirements: