"The Experience"



Staying Healthy Abroad

Author: petersons, Category: College Search

As much as we may complain about our own healthcare system, it may never be more apparent to you how much we take for granted until you head off to a foreign land and find yourself in need of medical care. Many regions where students choose to study have similar healthcare procedures and facilities to what you’ll find here, but there are also many areas where there are huge differences in how even your basic healthcare needs are met.

Before you head over, make sure you know the lay of the land.

First things first
When you apply to a study abroad program, part of your application includes information about your health history. You’ll likely need to be cleared medically by your doctor to be approved to travel to your destination. It’s crucial to be honest about any medical conditions you have, no matter how mundane they may seem. Even a simple allergy can affect where you might be able to live comfortably.

Make whatever appointments necessary to not only get a medical release, but to bring everything up to date before you go: annual exams, eyeglass and contact prescriptions, and adequate refills for any medications you take. (Generic drugs will be easier to obtain overseas, so avoid taking prescriptions for brand-name drugs if possible). Get any needed procedures out of the way, including EKGs and X-rays, if they’re needed. Taking care of all of these things before you leave will be much easier than trying to get them completed once you’re overseas.

Have your doctors provide you with written statements about your prescriptions and how and why they are prescribed. Your doctor should also include comments about any special medical conditions you have as well. If you’ll need dental procedures while you’re gone, take along copies of pertinent dental records and keep everything in a safe place in case you need them.

Special needs and requirements
Once the program receives your application, they can determine if you have any conditions that may preclude you from attending, but more likely, they’ll determine what health measures, if any, you still need to take and if any specific medical needs you have can be easily met where you’re going.

For travel to most countries, you won’t need to take any special precautions ahead of time. However, there are some that may be recommended or required depending on where you’re planning to travel. If there are, get them taken care of well in advance by making your appointment with your doctor at least three months ahead of your departure. This should allow ample time for things such as completion of any required immunizations, gamma globulin shots (a preventative against hepatitis A), and further assessment of any special medical problems you may have. You may also want to ask about hepatitis B protection, especially if you’re headed to Asia or Africa.

Don’t drink the water
It’s an old adage, but an accurate one. Many regions of the world do not have water systems that treat and sterilize the water the way it is done in the United States. The same applies to food and food preparation. In the U.S., our food and water is regulated, pasteurized, sterilized, preserved, and pretty much everything else you can think of.

This keeps us safe from the some of the more common nasties seen in other countries, such as cholera and diphtheria, but it also means your tender tummy may have some difficulty adapting to the local cuisine. Use common sense and avoid eating foods prepared by roadside vendors as well as uncooked foods. And, depending on where you’re going, don’t drink the water — stick with bottled water as much as possible.

Drugs and alcohol
In some countries, access to substances such as alcohol may be much easier, since age restrictions are not necessarily an issue. You may find it especially tempting to overindulge and then find yourself dealing with the aftermath. Repeated alcohol abuse will not only leave you poor health, but your studies will undoubtedly suffer as well.

In other areas, access to alcohol may be just the opposite and consumption of it could land you a visit in the local jail. As far as drugs go, you shouldn’t be using them anyway, but a worst-case scenario in some countries could find you languishing in prison for several years. Why risk it?

Don’t go it alone
If you suffer from emotional problems, don’t expect a few months of studying overseas to cure you. It’s more likely that culture shock and separation from friends and family may worsen your conditions. Make sure that you’ve disclosed any conditions you have so that your study-abroad program can assist you in finding support and counseling if needed.

Oh, and one last thing…
If applicable to your lifestyle, take precautions if you engage in sexual activity. STDs and AIDS are still a risk pretty much everywhere, including the U.S., and are very prevalent in certain parts of the world. You should be especially cautious. If you think it’s necessary, pack condoms to take with you and follow the same kind of practical advice and common sense you would use in the United States.

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