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Health Tips for Students Studying Abroad

Photo: StudentsLondon? Tokyo? Ecuador? With such a wide variety of international programs to choose from, deciding where and what to study may be a difficult task. However, armed with the right information, there is one pre-travel task that's easy — preparing for a safe and healthy trip!

 

Logo: International Education Week 2008. November 17 - 21

Missing out on a unique cultural experience because you're stuck in bed with a travel-related illness or injury is probably not part of your plan for a great study-abroad experience. Fortunately, CDC is here to help! In celebration of International Education Week (November 17-21), our travel health experts have put together this "study guide" for some tips on how to prepare for a safe and healthy study-abroad experience.

Preparing for Travel

Learn about Places You'll Visit

Visit the CDC Travelers' Health Web site to find out about the health risks in your destination(s) and how you can stay healthy in all the places you will be visiting during your study-abroad program. To begin your research, select your destinations from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.

Make an Appointment with a Travel Medicine Specialist

Make an appointment to see a doctor familiar with travel medicine at least 4–6 weeks before you leave. Make sure you tell the doctor where you are going and what your style of travel will be (e.g., living in a city, living in a rural area). The doctor will review your medical history and your study-abroad program to make sure you receive the right vaccinations, medicines, and information on safety and security.

Get Your Vaccines

At the very minimum, you should be up to date on all routine vaccinations, such as for influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT). For many countries, CDC recommends other, travel-related vaccines. Be sure to check CDC's Travelers' Health Web site and to talk to your doctor about which shots are best for you.

Take Care of Routine Health Care

  • Make sure that you are up to date on yearly preventive health care, including a check-up with the dentist, your yearly physical, or any other routine screenings or health checks.
  • Be sure to talk with your doctor about scheduling routine vaccinations so that they can be completed before travel.

Tell Others Where You Are Going

Photo: Students
  • Register with the State Department's travel registration Web site so the US Embassy or Consulate can contact you in an emergency.
  • Make extra copies of your passport and travel documents that you can leave with a family member or friend, as well as details of your travel plans and how to contact you.
  • Make arrangements to check in with your school and family and friends at regular intervals.

Plan Ahead for Health and Safety

  • Prepare a travel health kit so you will have important medicines at hand during your travels. Remember that some medications are not permitted in certain countries.
  • It's a good idea to have a copy of your personal medical record so that it can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
  • Learn basic first aid so you can treat any minor injuries yourself.
  • Visit the US Department of State list of doctors/hospitals abroad to identify health-care resources in the country where you will be living.
  • Check your school's requirements for health coverage while you are abroad. If your personal health insurance plan covers you only while in the United States, you will want to get additional insurance that covers medical treatment and medical evacuation in case you become sick or injured during your program.

Stay Healthy While You Are TherePhoto: Two student

Protect Your Health.

  • Wash your hands with soap and clean water or use an alcohol-based hand gel before you eat, after you cough or sneeze, and after you go to the bathroom.
  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. See Insect and Arthropod protection for more information.
  • Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater. See Sunburn and Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information.
  • To prevent animal bites and rabies, avoid touching or petting animals, especially dogs and wildlife. Lower your risk of avian influenza by avoiding poultry markets and farms.
  • Swim only in chlorinated water.
  • To prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, avoid receiving tattoos, body piercings, or injections.
  • Avoid engaging in sexual behaviors that might place you at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Use latex condoms if you have sex; see Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Health Tips for Special Circumstances

  • While traveling or living in a warm-weather climate, drink plenty of water and eat regularly to avoid heat-related illness.
  • If your study-abroad program is in an area with a risk of avian influenza, avoid close contact with poultry.
  • While living in a developing area, eat fully cooked food that is served hot, or fruits and vegetables you can wash and peel yourself. See CDC's page on safe food and water for more information.

Expect Some Mental Stress

  • Any journey can produce challenges, but immersing yourself into a different culture and foreign language for a long period of time can increase psychological stress for any traveler.
  • Be honest when you call home about any illnesses or injuries you are experiencing.
  • Remember, it's okay to feel homesick. You will be living in a new and unfamiliar environment, so it may take time to adjust. 

Stay Safe

Photo: Two students with backpacks
  • Wear a seatbelt.
  • Don't drink and drive.
  • Wear a helmet when you ride a bike or motorcycle.
  • Be careful in crowds and when crossing the street.
  • Be careful when participating in recreational activities, including swimming.
  • Follow local laws and customs.
  • Avoid political protests and rallies.

After You Come Home

After you come home from your trip abroad, get medical attention right away if you are not feeling well or have been injured. You should also seek psychological support and counseling if you feel you need it. It is especially important for you to see a doctor if you have a fever, rash, cough or difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms. If you are returning from malaria-risk areas and become sick with a fever or flu-like illness for up to 1 year after your return, see a doctor immediately and be sure to mention that you have been to a place where malaria is present.

More Information

Resources from CDC

Other Resources

Don't get the flu. Don't spread the flu. Get Vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/flu
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

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