Health & Safety

How to Stay well

Being sick while you're traveling is never fun. Find out ways you can stay healthy while studying abroad.

1 Inventory Your Health Before You Leave

Take note of which health issues concern you and think about what steps you need to take in order to avoid problems and to make your study abroad experience the best it can be. You can talk to our office, your physician or the Wellness Center for advice and additional resources.

2 Learn About Your Health Insurance

If you're studying in another country, you will be automatically enrolled in our mandatory insurance plan. Charges are built into the program cost and can be extended if you plan to stay abroad longer at personal cost. Cost is about $37 per month, with exact cost based on dates. If you're studying in Spain, your cost is about $41 per month.

Our insurance provider is CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International). Through the policy, you can:

• receive insurance cards and detailed information after acceptance into a program.
• see local English-speaking providers and get the local/general name for any medication you take in case a refill abroad is needed. Check to ensure proper paperwork is completed before you leave.

See Brochure for Insurance Plan Details

3 Monitor Your Health While Abroad

When you travel, you encounter different climates, foods, water and bacteria than you are used to and many people who go abroad have more ailments than usual. These are usually minor (colds, sore throat, gastrointestinal issues) and with general medication can last only a few days. By checking in with yourself on how you feel, both physically and emotionally, you can stay ahead of your health.

• Drink Water! Keep hydrated- make sure to get bottled water, not tap unless it's safe to do so.
• Rest! Make sure to get enough sleep and don't exhaust yourself.
• Eat! Try to eat healthy food (be wary of street food, wash all veggies & fruit thoroughly) and at regular intervals. If you have specific dietary concerns, make sure you talk to your coordinator and research your options abroad (as well as talk to others with similar concerns!). Learn a culturally sensitive way to handle social situations where you are served a meal that doesn’t meet your diet requirements.
• Reconsider drug and alcohol use! In addition to the health risks of using drugs, you may be targeted as a foreigner and taken advantage of by suppliers. If drugs or their contaminants make you sick, you will also find it much more difficult to get medical care abroad (not to mention the legal consequences!)
• Battle Jet Lag! You will be tired after long flights, so try to sleep on the plane if you can and follow the natural day/night pattern of your new location.
• Exercise! Inevitably you will walk more abroad than you usually do at home. Be prepared, wear good shoes and get those steps in!

4 Pay Attention to Mental Health

Studying abroad is exhilarating. But it also comes with additional stress, including social isolation, feeling uncomfortable, longing for home, loss of support marginalization and more. That's not even mentioning the everyday stress of being a student. Every experience is different, so some students may be more affected than others. If you're struggling, there are ways to cope:

• Try to make friends with locals and with students in your program
• Make active attempts to appreciate and engage in new cultural experiences
• Keep in touch with and talk to your support group
• Reach out to program coordinators or study abroad alumni who participated in the same program
• Give yourself time to adjust

5 Practice Safe Sex

Take measures to protect yourself against STDs/STIs (including HIV) while abroad by practicing safe sex. Always use condoms or other protection, and approach new partners with at least as much caution as you would at home.