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Health & Safety


health and safetyMany places you will go have no special health concerns. Health-care systems and facilities in many European locations are quite similar to what you have in the United States. However, your health during your study abroad experience will depend on the choices you make and precautions that you take prior, during, and following your time overseas. There are no guarantees or absolutes with regard to health in any setting, especially an international one. Before your departure, you should make sure that you are in good health, get any immunizations that are required and learn as much as you can about the health and safety conditions in your host country.

Checkups

We recommend to have a physical and dental checkup before you go, especially if you will be gone at a time when you would normally schedule these appointments. This will give you an opportunity to talk with your health care professionals about any general health precautions you should take.

Pre-existing Conditions (allergies)

If you have an ongoing medical problem, such as allergies or diabetes, you need to take special precautions in preparing for and managing your condition overseas. How will the stresses of the environment and the study abroad experience impact your health? If you have a disability, how will your needs be met?

If you have food allergies, please inform us in advance, as we will consider this when choosing menus for group meals.

Prescriptions

If you take prescription medications regularly, you should bring a supply to last throughout your time abroad, if practical. Foreign drugs are not necessarily closely related to those standard in the United States, even if they have the same chemical formula. They may be marketed under different names and may not be available in the strengths you desire. It might be wise to also have a letter from a home physician or pharmacist describing your medicines, their dosage, a generic name for them and describing the condition being treated. This letter could be helpful in an emergency.

You should make sure that all drugs are in the original pharmacy containers and are clearly labeled. You should carry copies of the prescriptions to avoid problems with Customs. In the case of narcotic medicines, it may not be prudent to carry additional supplies because of possible Customs difficulties. In that case, you should bring a prescription with the drug's generic name.

If you are diabetic or have another medical condition in which a syringe is needed to administer medication, you should bring a supply of disposable syringes. These are not available in all countries, and are essential to protect yourself against HIV, hepatitis, and other communicable illnesses. Some countries, however, restrict the import of syringes - as well as certain medications and contraceptives. Before departure, you should find out of this applies to their host country.

For certain conditions such as diabetes, asthma, mild epilepsy, or allergy to penicillin, it would be wise to wear a tag or a bracelet or carry a card to identify the condition so that you can be treated properly. You should not pack your medications in your checked luggage. You should better pack them in your carry on so as not to be without them if your luggage gets lost.

Emotional and Mental Health

Emotionally and mentally, international living can be stressful. Most travelers will experience a degree of culture shock during the normal adjustment period. Culture shock causes feelings of disorientation and unease which can be intensified for students dealing with ongoing unresolved emotional or medical issues. It is thus very important that you discuss such problems with your coordinator, mental health providers, or other trained medical personnel before leaving. Once on site, our staff is available to help you through the adjustment cycle.

Nutrition

You should be aware that you will probably experience a change in your diet and eating habits. You may start eating a healthier diet, as people in most countries do not eat as much processed food nor drink as many caffeinated and sweetened beverages as Americans do. It is customary in many countries to eat more grains, fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, etc. Before you leave, you should try to learn more about the foods eaten and the eating habits of your host country. These are an integral part of the culture.

Medical Kit

Everybody should be prepared for minor health problems with a home medical kit. This should include: bandages, gauze, and adhesive tape, sterile cleansers, antibacterial cream, painkillers, anti-diarrhea medicine, insect repellent (for any warm climate).

Family Emergencies

You should discuss with your family what they will do in the event of a family emergency, illness or death. It is much easier to have these conversations around the kitchen table prior to departure than in an intercontinental phone call in the midst of a crisis.