Study Abroad

Aside from jet lag and culture shock, shared by everyone, your health needs while abroad are the same as at home. Ranging from the need for a healthy diet and exercise to monitoring your intake of alcohol (if you drink) to any unique health issues, you will face and have to deal with the everyday ups and downs of your body. Interestingly, it can be a real cultural adventure to need, find, and receive health care in a foreign setting.

STEP 10: FOLLOW A GOOD HEALTH PLAN WHILE YOU ARE ABROAD

This checklist of things to do and keep in mind about your personal health care throughout your stay abroad can help.

• FIND OUT HOW TO GET MEDICAL HELP—In your first week, figure out how you would find a doctor if you needed one. If you're in an ed-abroad program, ask your director if there is an assigned doctor or where to find a reliable one.

If traveling on your own and/or away from your ed-abroad program, some other choices are:

~ Contact a U.S. consulate office for a list of doctors.

~ The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) has a list of English-speaking doctors all over the world (see the Resources section for contact information).

~ The U.S. Department of State also provides lists of doctors and hospitals abroad, country by country, on its Web site (http://travel.state.govftraveljtips/emergencies/emergencies_n95·html).

~ Check your insurance policy since some provide this information, too.

~ You can call or visit a university hospital to be sure they take patients if necessary.

~ If traveling alone in a developing area without access to other resources, try contacting a Western-style or other expensive hotel and ask for the doctor their guests are referred to.

• TAKE CARE IN ADJUSTING TO A NEW DIET—Be prepared for food that can be quite different from what you are used to at home, even in familiar European countries. The diet may be more or less healthier than what you usually have, i.e. more fruits and vegetables or more fried foods, but it will likely be different. Eel soup, anyone? If you have special dietary needs, address them immediately with your program director or those you are living with. Ideally, you made these arrangements ahead of time.