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Pre-Departure
Planning
As
you prepare to travel, live, and work overseas you can
enhance your safety by learning about the new environment
where you will be. The internet and those who have
recently traveled to the same destination are valuable
sources of useful information and lessons learned. Read
and carefully consider all materials issued by the sponsor
that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental,
political, cultural, and religious conditions in host
countries. Here is some information that may prove useful.
General
Health and Safety
-
Visit
country-specific websites for information on
political, social, economic, geographic, and other
characteristics of your destination country such as Study
Abroad Student Handbook or the U.S.
Department of State.
-
Use
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Country
Specific Travel Health Information provides
guidance on health information for the countries where
you will travel.
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The
Study Abroad Student Safety Handbook list
important information students need to know about such
as medical care and insurance, basic health and
safety, risk factors and strategies to reduce risk,
special issues, crisis management, and adjustments and
culture shock.
-
You
can also use the Study
Abroad Student Handbooks to prepare your Emergency
Information Card and Other Emergency Planning to
assist you in being prepared before going and after
arriving abroad.
Medicine
and Vaccinations:
According
to Rosamond Dewart, Former Chief, Travelers' Health
Section of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC): “Arming
yourself with the information tools necessary for your
overseas experience is probably the most important aspect
for ensuring a safe trip. This includes learning as much
as you can about the health risks that may occur where you
are going. Another important part of preparing for your
trip is allowing sufficient time for your vaccinations to
take effect before your travel. Gathering your health
records together and consulting with a medical provider
that is familiar with travel medicine issues is important
especially when traveling to less developed countries. As
a general rule, the longer duration of your time abroad,
the more vaccines you may need and the longer the
lead-time to get them completed before you travel. Some
require several shots weeks to months apart. Assessing
your risk of disease is what you and your healthcare
provider should be doing as you provide the healthcare
provider the information on your itinerary, your activity,
your purpose, your lodging, etc., It is important to
understand that many primary care providers do not see
many travel patients and may choose to refer you to
someone else who has more specialized experience. Setting
up these appointments can take time so planning well in
advance of your departure date is important.”
-
Because
different destinations have different requirements,
check with the Center
for Disease Control about necessary vaccinations.
-
The CDC
Survival Guide gives recommends such as see
a doctor to learn about recommendations specific to
the countries and your own health, pack a travel
health kit, plan ahead for illness, and learn about
health risks and concerns where you will be going.
Insurance
: The
SAFETI Clearinghouse emphasizes the importance of
insurance coverage for students participating in study
abroad programs. “No college or education abroad program
should allow a student to travel abroad without sufficient
medical insurance coverage for all possible medical needs,
including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation
of remains, accident and life insurance. Major medical
insurance includes coverage for all types of medical care
one might need while abroad. Different policies have
different levels of coverage. Institutions should include
information about the insurance coverage available for
study abroad and whether such insurance is required or
recommended. Students need to be aware of their limits of
coverage (pre-existing conditions, deductions, payment by
reimbursement, no dental, etc.). A campus risk manager or
insurance coordinator can assist in developing policies
and guidelines for insurance tailored to students studying
abroad.” Learn more information about major medical,
evacuation, repatriation, and liability insurance at http://www.globaled.us/irl/insurance.html.
Ensure
that insurance policies are up to date and arrange for
payment of premiums. Types of insurance to consider
purchasing include major medical (in the U.S. and abroad),
24-hour emergency assistance, repatriation of remains,
travel insurance, and coverage for kidnapping and
ransom. Be aware of their limits of coverage (pre-existing
conditions, deductions, payment by reimbursement, no
dental, etc.).
Communication
-
Start
learning a few common phrases in the local language
because in the event of an emergency, you need to be
able to communicate and understand effectively. Use
the Communication Sheets from the Study
Abroad Student Handbook to learn about Words to
Know, Phrases to Know, and Service Icons.
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Consider
getting a cell phone to help with communication while
traveling abroad as well as a telephone calling card.
The ISIC
card also has a calling card option for
emergency situations. Check the rates and plans for
the calling card that best suits your needs.
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Photocopy
passport and visa, credit cards, other documents that
need to be replaced quickly, if lost or stolen. Leave
one set of copies with reliable person at home and
carry extra copies in a place separate from originals.
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Notify
credit card companies of intent to travel. Confirm
credit limit. Be sure to change your Pin number to
only 4 digits at your bank before your program starts
- overseas ATMs are known to “eat” cards with
longer Pin numbers.
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