How to Have a Healthy and Safe International Experience

University of New Mexico Global Education Office

Preparing to Study Abroad

 Visit the UNM Travel Clinic or your doctor for a health consultation and evaluation  Prepare and take an up-to-date vaccination report with you  Make sure you are current with routine vaccinations: Measles, polio, tetanus (DPT), hepatitis A&B  Make sure you have any required vaccinations for all regions you plan to visit—CDC website

UNM SHAC International Travel Health Clinic

    Call 277-3136 to schedule an appointment Just south of Mesa Vista, across from the SUB Appointments last 30-60 minutes Immunization records and all travel forms must be available at the time of the appointment.

OTHER OPTIONS:

 PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER  OTHER TRAVEL CLINICS IN THE COMMUNITY

Plan early - 6-8 weeks prior to departure to get all recommended vaccinations

More Preparations

     Deal with health problems before you leave, e.g. wounds, skin problems, sexually transmitted diseases, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug or alcohol issues, etc.

Talk with your doctor about contraceptives and birth control options Ask your doctor about how to maintain your supply of prescription drugs Carry copies of your prescriptions, and make sure bottles have the original labels See your health care provider prior to departure if you have any ongoing medical, psychological, dental or vision conditions.

Before you Leave

    Make copies of your important documents like passport, credit cards, birth certificate, and leave a set with your family E-mail a copy to yourself, and carry an extra set in your checked luggage Give parents or a trusted friend a “Power of Attorney” form specifying what you are authorizing them to do Take an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and prescription a copy of your vision

Culture Shock and Homesickness

  These happen to everyone who travels; know what to expect Read and talk with others who have traveled about dealing with culture shock and homesickness   Think about the strategies you already use to deal with stress in your life Talk with friends and family about how to stay in touch

Before you leave

    Exercise, get in better physical shape Pack a small first aid kit Learn first aid, CPR, and learn to swim Read about the risks in the places your are going using the State Dept. travel guides and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm

If you have any serious or potential medical conditions

    Tell your group leader or a trusted friend about your condition or essential medications you take Carry a doctor’s letter or description of your issues, and the telephone number of your doctor Plan what you will need to do if you have an episode or medical reaction Seek medical or mental health care from a recommended provider if you experience any serious problems

While you are Studying Abroad

      Make sure you know about the safety of local foods and water wherever you go Limit intake of raw or undercooked food Wash your hands Get rest and exercise Stay hydrated Take care of wounds or insect bites

You are what you eat

Check periodically: How am I Feeling?

 Having digestive problems?

 Have a fever?

 How are you sleeping at night?

 Any wounds or insect bites?

 Are you especially tired or stressed?

If any of these gets worse, see a doctor

Mental Health Check

  Are culture you experiencing shock, homesickness, loneliness, or depression?

serious Are you withdrawing or avoiding contact with other people?

  Are you having trouble working and studying?

If so, who can you talk to about it?

Your friends, fellow students, international student advisors, counselors, your family

Environmental Hazards

     Prepare to deal with and dress for weather and climate - sun, heat, cold, wind, altitude, challenging outdoor activities Remember that dogs, bats and other mammals can carry rabies Learn about local hazards: spiders, snakes, insects, plants Learn the local laws and customs for pedestrians, bikes and driving Be aware of regional risks: Earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.

Insect Borne Infections

Dengue, Lyme Disease, Tick-borne Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, etc.

 Insect repellent with DEET 30-50% or is most effective  Use Permethrin spray for clothing  Use a mosquito net for sleeping

Malaria

 Consult your health care provider about prescription medication to decrease risk of infection

Be aware of the risks and causes of infections and conditions depending on your region of travel For concern of any of the following, seek medical help. Not all        Malaria of these conditions are found world-wide.

 Tick-borne diseases Typhoid  STI’s Yellow Fever  Altitude Dengue Fever Sickness Chikungunya  HIV/AIDS Cholera  Measles Rabies

Be aware of the world-wide risk of the following conditions

       Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) HIV Influenza Measles Mumps Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in high regions of the world Any animal bite must be evaluated for possible Rabies exposure

Emerging infections and conditions change rapidly

 CDC.gov/travel is a good resource to keep up to date

The most common cause of injuries and death while abroad is:

ACCIDENTS -- automobile, bike, pedestrian, sports, swimming, ESPECIALLY WHEN MIXED WITH ALCOHOL

Safety

      Talk to knowledgeable locals about safety and listen to their advice Be responsible for your peers and keep your group together Let friends know where you are going and when you plan to be back No student should be on the street alone late at night Stay in well-lit areas where there are other people after dark Keep valuables out of sight—cameras, jewelry, watches, I-Pods

Safety

   Keep valuables protected from pickpockets  Avoid demonstrations, civil disturbances and large crowds  Do not discuss travel plans in front of strangers Buy and carry a cell phone If confronted do not argue or fight back unless you are attacked. Give up valuables if robbed.

Safety

     Use only official taxis and discuss the fare before getting into the vehicle Always demand the driver use a meter Don’t accept food or drink from strangers Do not use ATM machines at night or in isolated places. Those inside banks are best.

As much as possible avoid dress and behavior that identifies you as a foreigner

Sexual Harassment

    Learn to recognize the forms it takes Talk about it with your peers Report it if you see it or feel it It can be direct or subtle, and come from strangers or someone you trust  It is not acceptable from group leaders, students, teachers, locals, strangers, relatives or anyone else

Sexual Harassment

   Street harassment of women and men is common in many parts of the world  If possible ignore it and walk away. Engaging will encourage the perpetrator  If it becomes more threatening, try to get away, shout and seek help from others Fight back if you have to in order to get away Report it to police whenever you can

Using Alcohol Responsibly

       Never binge drink Know and respect your limits Don’t go to bars alone Stay with your group Protect your drinks at all times If you are drunk, you are vulnerable Never drink and drive

Illegal Drugs: Zero Tolerance

Water Recreation

      Alcohol and swimming never mix No one goes swimming alone Find out how who in your group can swim Find out who has lifeguard training No diving in lakes, oceans or rivers Always use life vests in boats

Extreme Sports

 Don’t engage in activities you have not been trained in, e.g.

scuba diving, rock climbing, motorcycling, etc.

  Don’t do any sports while drinking or using drugs Remember that some insurance policies will not cover injuries from sports or activities like bungee jumping, sky diving, scuba, boxing or running with bulls

Sexual Health and Safety

    Always use condoms Avoid high risk sexual behavior Don’t go home with strangers Do not go with anyone if you are drunk or on drugs   Protect your drink at all times Know and abide by local age of consent laws

Sexual and Emotional Relationships

     Remember that sexual and other relationships involve responsibilities and reciprocity Respect your partner’s feelings and values (and your own) Do not put others at risk by your behavior Do not encourage emotional involvement if you are not serious about a relationship Understand cultural differences in dating, relationships and sexuality in other societies

Post-Travel

 Seek medical attention for any post- travel medical concerns   Get a tuberculosis (TB) test If you have been to regions with special risks like malaria, disclose it before donating blood  Complete UNM program evaluations to help future students  Pay attention to “Reverse Culture Shock”

Have a Great International Experience!