University of California - San Diego

University of California, San Diego International Student Insurance

University of California - San Diego (UCSD) is an institution founded with the goal of being distinctive. After one visit, you’ll likely agree that this goal has been achieved. 

Situated in the trendy, seaside San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla, the campus of UCSD is a mix of lush green spaces and advanced technology. There are self-driven vehicles that deliver mail across campus, and the library is an architectural marvel. 

For international students, UCSD makes for an attractive destination for a number of reasons. In addition to excellent educational, extracurricular, and research opportunities, the location of the university itself is a big draw. La Jolla is right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, providing easy access to beaches and waterfront activities. Also, the year-round sunshine and pleasant weather attracts students from around the world.  

University of California, San Diego Academic and Research Opportunities

At UCSD, International students can choose from one of the largest arrays of degrees and programs in the United States, with nearly 200 undergraduate majors to choose from. 

The university consists of four academic divisions:

• Arts and Humanities
• Biological Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences

USCD undergraduate programs are taught at seven residential colleges:

• Revelle College
• John Muir College
• Thurgood Marshall College
• Earl Warren College
• Eleanor Roosevelt College
• Sixth College
• Seventh College

In addition, USCD students can apply to attend one of its seven graduate schools:

• Jacobs School of Engineering
• Rady School of Management
• Scripps Institute of Oceanography
• School of Global Policy and Strategy
• School of Medicine
• Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science 

The location, quality of faculty and amenities, and variety of programs available makes USCD an extremely popular choice. With over 99,000 freshman applications in fall, 2019, UCSD is the second most applied to university in the United States. 

Health Risks for University of California, San Diego International Students

International students at UCSD are sure to enjoy the warm weather and friendly atmosphere this school has to offer. The close-knit college community is fun, vibrant, and welcoming. However, you still have to be mindful of your health. 

One risk that students must keep in mind is the ocean. When living in San Diego, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the beauty and fun of the Pacific coast. But keep in mind, the water can be dangerous. You must be careful of strong currents and riptides. Even if you stay on the beach, it’s essential to protect your skin from damaging rays with sunscreen. 

Even if you don’t ever plan to drive while attending UCSD, you must also be wary of traffic. San Diego is a very large, busy city. Be extremely careful when crossing roadways, and always buckle your seatbelt when riding in a car to reduce the chance of an injury. 

Cover Your Risks with Health Insurance for University of California, San Diego 

Though eating well, exercising, and using caution can certainly reduce your health risks while studying at UCSD, there’s no way to completely eliminate those risks. If you do become ill or get hurt while studying abroad, the price for treatment could prove unaffordable if you don’t have insurance coverage in place. 

Luckily, international student health insurance for University of California, San Diego can help ease this financial stress. 

International Student Health Insurance for University of California, San Diego  - FAQs

Do international students need health insurance before joining the University of California, San Diego?

UCSD requires international students to have health insurance. You can either enroll in the default University of California international student health insurance plan (SHIP), or enroll in private health insurance so long as it meets all insurance requirements set by the university and your visa status. 

What’s the need for University of California, San Diego health insurance for international students?

Though excellent healthcare is available in the U.S., it comes at a high price. As an international student with a budget to keep, it’s essential to protect your finances from unexpected medical bills. A proper international student health insurance plan can provide the financial protection you need in case you become sick or injured while studying at UCSD. 

How to find the best international student health insurance for the University of California, San Diego?

Finding the best health insurance coverage for your studies at UCSD doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to follow a few steps:

1. Understand the insurance requirements for yourself and any accompanying dependents. You can find this information below, or by contacting UCSD. With this knowledge, you can ensure that whatever plan you choose is compliant with all university and visa requirements. 
2. Compare different plans. Choose several plans that seem like good options, and compare their monthly premiums, benefits, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses for treatment. 
3. Using this information, select a plan that provides the most useful combination of affordability and benefits for you. 

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