Your Health Abroad
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- Your Health Abroad
Study abroad, as with any major life change (regardless of length of time, location, etc.), can heighten pre-existing medical, mental health, or personal issues or contribute to new ones. Local culture, customs, and practices may not have/provide the support systems you might be accustomed to in the U.S.
It is your responsibility to consider how you will manage your health and wellness abroad. For example, you may need to consider your dietary restrictions, allergies, medications, need for immunizations, etc.
When you are selecting an overseas program or preparing for your departure, here are some things you should consider regarding your health and wellness:
Medications (Over-the-counter vs. Prescription, Refills, etc.): Are my current medications legal in the countries I’m traveling to? Will I be able to bring enough to cover my entire stay or get something similar/equivalent in-country?
Allergies (Peanuts, shellfish, bee stings, etc.): Will I be exposed to potential serious allergens? How will I work to reduce my chances of or treat an exposure?
Meal restrictions (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, etc.): Will I be able to identify and obtain alternative meal substitutions? How will I communicate my meal needs in the host culture?
Mental health (ex. Stress, Depression, Anxiety, etc.): How is my mental health condition viewed in the host culture? What resources and support will I have available to help me manage?
Physical health and mobility (Asthma, Diabetes, Walking aids, etc.): What kind of environment will I be living and studying in, and what kind of activities will I be participating in that might be affected by my physical health and mobility? What sort of adjustments or support would I need to participate successfully?
Sexual health (Public Displays of Affection, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, etc.): What are my host culture’s values and customs regarding romantic relationships? What sexual health risks should I be aware of, and how do I protect myself?
Drugs/Alcohol: (Tainted drinks, synthetic drugs, drinking age, etc.) What is my host culture’s values and customs regarding drugs and alcohol? What health and legal risks should I be aware of?
Learning disabilities (Dyslexia, ADHD, tutoring, etc.): How are my learning disabilities perceived in the host culture? What sort of accommodations or support would I need to participate successfully?
The environment of the program (Climate, Altitude, etc.): How will the weather and terrain of my host country affect my health and wellness?
Interpersonal relationships (Roommate issues, significant other at home, homesickness, etc.): Will you be studying, living, and traveling with the same small group, or will you be completely alone on your program? How might you cope with these situations, and what communication resources will you need to be successful?
International Health Insurance
Most domestic health insurance policies don’t provide coverage outside your home country and may limit their coverage to a certain geographic area. RIT requires all students studying abroad to have international health insurance. Most students never have to use it, but it is good to have just in case. Students going abroad on an RIT study abroad program will be provided international health insurance.
More Resources
Country-Specific Health Information
- World Health Organization - the United Nations' health summary from each country
- Center for Disease Control - get a recommendation of what vaccines you may need depending on the country, what health/disease risks may be present and how to protect yourself
- State Department - Travelers’ Health - information from the U.S. State Department on vaccines, prescriptions, insurance, and finding medical help abroad
General Traveler Health
- Center for Global Education - Health & Safety - information on basic health and safety for students abroad
- Traveling Abroad with Medicine - provides some guidelines to follow
- What you need to know about traveling with medications - another helpful article
- Food Allergies while Traveling - purchase professionally translated cards to carry while traveling
- Preparation for Traveling with Mental Health Conditions - resource guide from Mobility International
Culture Shock
- Center of Global Education – Adjustments and Culture Shock
- How to Deal with Culture Shock - traveler's tips for surviving culture shock