Harper Lawson Shares Her Experience, Gives Advice on International Health Insurance for Students

When Harper Lawson packed her bags from Canada to pursue her master’s in London, she was more worried about the British weather than health insurance. “I thought my university’s basic plan would cover everything,” she recalls. “But reality hit me during my first winter abroad.”

A severe case of flu turned into bronchitis, and Harper found herself facing a £200 doctor’s visit and £85 in prescription costs. “That’s when I realized my university plan only covered hospital emergencies, not routine illnesses. I had to choose between my health and my monthly grocery budget,” she shares, the memory still fresh in her voice.

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

Harper’s experience mirrors what thousands of international students face. “We come from countries where healthcare is affordable or even free, and we’re completely unprepared for medical costs in places like the UK or US,” she explains. After her bronchitis episode, she spent weeks researching proper coverage, becoming the go-to person among her international friend circle for insurance advice.

“What shocked me most was discovering that many student plans don’t cover mental health support. When my friend from Nigeria struggled with depression during the long, dark winter months, her insurance wouldn’t cover therapy sessions. We had to pool money together to help her get care,” Harper reveals, her tone turning serious.

Building the Perfect Safety Net

Through trial and error, Harper developed a checklist that she now shares with every new international student:

1. Look beyond the university’s basic plan: “Most university plans are like umbrellas with holes – they’ll keep you mostly dry until it really pours. I upgraded to a comprehensive international student plan for just £30 more per month, and it saved me during my dental emergency last year.”

2. Mental health coverage isn’t optional: “When you’re thousands of miles from home, dealing with academic pressure and culture shock, having access to counseling can be life-saving. I made sure my new plan included video therapy sessions in multiple languages.”

3. Understand the local healthcare system: “In the UK, I learned about NHS surcharges and GP registrations. The paperwork felt overwhelming initially, but taking time to understand the system helped me avoid costly mistakes.”

The Cultural Shock of Healthcare Abroad

Harper noticed that students from different countries face unique challenges. “My American friends were surprised by the NHS, while students from India struggled with insurance concepts altogether. I helped a Brazilian friend navigate her pregnancy coverage after she discovered her plan didn’t include maternity care,” she shares.

Her most valuable lesson came when she needed an emergency appendectomy. “The hospital bill would have been £15,000. Because I had proper insurance, I paid nothing. That experience taught me that being prepared isn’t being paranoid – it’s being smart.”

Creating a Support System

Harper now runs workshops for incoming international students. “I teach them how to read insurance documents, what questions to ask providers, and how to advocate for themselves in medical situations. The most important thing I tell them is: ‘Your health is your wealth, especially when you’re far from home.'”

She keeps an emergency folder with all her documents digitally and physically. “I’ve become the ‘insurance expert’ for our student community – everyone comes to me with their healthcare questions, and I’m happy to help them avoid the mistakes I made.”

Looking back, Harper sees her health insurance journey as one of her most valuable education abroad experiences. “It taught me responsibility, research skills, and the importance of planning ahead. Now when new students ask me for advice, I tell them: ‘Don’t learn about insurance the hard way like I did. Get the right coverage from day one, because your education depends on your health.'”