Remember Your Health When Preparing to Study Abroad!

International Education Week, November 12-16, 2007, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote involvement in international education and exchange. In support of this initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages students to remember protecting their health as an important part of their preparation for studying abroad.

Study-abroad programs offer an exciting opportunity for learning and cultural exchange. The number of students studying abroad increased by 7.7% from the academic years 2003/04 through 2004/05. ¹ With this trend expected to continue and expand geographically, it is very important for students to be prepared to negotiate cultures and environments that may differ vastly from their own. Moreover, students may be at increased risk of illness or injury because of some of these cultural and environmental differences, such as climate extremes, the presence of certain insects, inadequate sanitation, or poorly lit roads. These risks are especially relevant if travel is to developing regions of the world and for a period of several weeks or months.

To reduce health risks while studying abroad, CDC recommends the following health tips for students:

• Remember, preparation is important for health protection!

• Use available health resources, including CDC's Travelers' Health Web site.

• Find out important health information about your study-abroad destination.

• Remember to see a healthcare provider at least 4–6 weeks before traveling; preferably see a travel medicine specialist. If you have less time, you should still see a healthcare provider. It might not be too late to receive recommended vaccines and helpful health information.

• Read more health and safety information included in CDC's Travel Health Tips for Students Studying Abroad.

• Listen to helpful information in the podcast “CDC Travel Health Tips for Students Studying Abroad”.

• Review other helpful Study Abroad information at the following resource links:

• 2007 International Education Week, US Departments of State and Education

• US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

• US Department of State for Youth

• US Department of Education's US Network for Education Information

¹ Institute of International Education (2006). Open Doors 2006 Fast Facts. Retrieved November 2, 2006, from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/.