Preparing to Travel Abroad

Good health is a prerequisite to an enjoyable stay abroad and crucial while you are traveling. You may be exposed to unfamiliar climates, food, medicine, and health care systems. In many cases, a good measure of common sense and a healthy respect for your own body (and its limitations) will help to avoid medical problems. A few preliminary precautions can spare you a good deal of unpleasantness. You can also use the World Health Organization as a resource for more information.

Medical and Dental Checkups

Medical and dental checkups prior to your departure are crucial. Remember: only your physician knows your personal medical history and can advise you if your situation warrants some alteration of the general preventive guidelines outlined here. Frequently, health statements from your doctor are required to obtain a visa to enter your host country, if a visa is required.

Shots and Inoculations

Some countries require immunizations before allowing foreigners in. Some countries require a health screening by a local physician after you arrive in order to allow you to get a temporary residence permit. Your program provider should inform you of any required shots and inoculations prior to departing. To find out about specific inoculations that may be required to enter your host country or countries in which you may wish to travel, consult the travel clinic at the Student Health Service (4189 Westlawn, 319-335-8730). You may also contact the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information hotline at 1-877-394-8747 (toll-free) or see the CDC website.

The CDC specifically recommends a polio booster, as many countries are not free of endemic polio viruses. Tetanus and diphtheria boosters are recommended for all students. Students traveling to the U.K. and Ireland are encouraged to get a meningitis vaccination. You should be immune to measles, mumps and rubella through vaccine or physician-diagnosed cases of these diseases.

If you were born after 1957, you should have received two doses of measles vaccine in order to be immune. A gamma globulin shot is useful against hepatitis and can reinforce your immunity to other diseases. Smallpox is considered by the World Health Organization to be wiped out, but country-to-country regulations change frequently.

Any inoculation should be recorded with the officially approved stamp on the yellow form “International Certificate of Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization.” Such forms are available through the Johnson County Health Department and must be properly stamped to be acceptable.

Since many inoculations require more than one visit to the clinic or cannot be taken in combination with others, it is recommended that you begin your inquiries well in advance of your departure.

What to Bring

Medic Alert Emblem

Be sure to wear a Medic Alert emblem (recognized internationally) for a specific medical problem (i.e., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, food or drug allergies). In how many languages can you convince a nurse that you are allergic to a medication and not just afraid of a needle? Call 1-888-633-4298 for information.

Medical Records

While living and traveling abroad, it is a wise precaution to keep personal medical records with you to be used in case of an accident or illness. A good medical record will mention ALL drugs you are taking, including any not related to disease, and identify any chronic ailments, allergies or hypersensitivities. It will also list your immunization history, blood type, eyeglass prescription, personal physician, health insurance (along with the number of the policy) and, if pertinent, your religion. Be sure to make a photocopy of your medical records in case of loss. Carry these documents in a place that is both secure and accessible by you at all times while traveling.

Medicines

Prescription Medicine

If you take prescription medicine, you should research whether it is available in your host country and bring a copy of the prescription for the generic name of the drug. In developed countries, you will need to take only an initial supply of the medication; in most developing countries, you will want to take a supply that will last your entire stay. Make sure all medications are in your carry-on.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

If you regularly use any over-the-counter remedies, you may want to take an initial or full-year’s supply. For customs purposes, take all medicines in their original containers.

Syringes

Syringes can be construed as drug paraphernalia. Bring a doctor’s note if you must bring them.

Staying Healthy Abroad

Monitor your health

Do not exhaust yourself. Moderation will pay off in the long run.

Eat well

This does not mean overspending in expensive restaurants, but it does mean eating a balanced diet.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians may find that maintaining a vegetarian diet abroad can be a challenge. It may be difficult to obtain enough quality fruits and vegetables to stay healthy, and meal plans may or may not include vegetarian offerings.

Some tips to help you through:

• Research the foods offered in your host country. You may wish to bring protein powder, vitamins, and other dietary supplements with you to ensure good nutrition.
• Talk to other vegetarians who have studied abroad. During orientation, check with the host-country coordinator regarding resources or suggestions to help you maintain your diet.
• Finally, you may need to find a tactful way to deal with social situations in which you are offered specially prepared meals that include meat.

Food Poisoning

Traveling will bring your body into contact with different bacteria; the change can unsettle your stomach or cause other health problems. Water, including ice cubes, milk, fresh fruit and unwashed, raw vegetables could upset your system until your body adjusts to its new surroundings.

Know where to get medical treatment

Find out where health care facilities are and how to access them.

STDs

Take measures to reduce the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. As always, intimate contact could expose you to bacteria or viruses that could lead to infection or contraction of STDs, including HIV.

Alcohol

If you consume alcoholic beverages abroad, do so in moderation. Inebriation can result in poor academic performance, higher risk behavior, and/or regretted sexual activity. In many serious accidents and deaths involving students overseas, excessive alcohol consumption plays a role. Don’t become a statistic.

Health Insurance Information for University of Iowa Study Abroad Programs

You are required to have health insurance while studying abroad on a University of Iowa program. We encourage you to review your current health insurance plan to ensure it will provide adequate coverage while you are out of the country. Important questions you should ask in assessing your coverage are:

• Does your current insurance provide coverage outside of the United States?
• If it does cover you abroad, how will you be reimbursed for expenses?
• Does your insurance cover non-emergencies, e.g., prescriptions, doctor visits?
• What does your current policy exclude from coverage? (e.g., injuries received while driving an automobile, sporting injuries, etc.)
• What is the maximum amount of coverage your insurance provides?
• Is emergency medical transportation/evacuation covered? If so, what is the maximum payable?
• Is repatriation of remains covered and if so, what is the maximum payable?

You should also consider where you will be studying and if health care will be readily available there. Also, make a note of any special medical needs you have.

Continuous Insurance Coverage in the United States

If, after assessing your current health insurance coverage, you do decide to purchase a supplemental insurance plan for your overseas study, please do not let your regular insurance coverage lapse while you are out of the country. Any medical condition for which you have already received treatment or which might develop while abroad could be considered a “pre-existing condition” when you attempt to enroll again in your local plan (either when you return or in the event that you are transported home because of a medical emergency).

Supplemental Insurance Plans

If you feel you will not have adequate protection while studying abroad, we suggest you purchase supplemental coverage designed specifically for international travel and study. A basic plan will likely cost about $40 - $50 per month and will cover you only while outside the United States. The names of five companies that provide such coverage are listed below. The University of Iowa does not endorse any specific company.

HTH Worldwide
1-800-242-4178

CMI Insurance Specialists
1-800-677-7887

Wallach & Co., Inc.
1-800-237-6615

Medex Assistance Corp.
1-410-453-6300

International SOS Assistance, Inc.
1-800-523-8930

ISIC Insurance Coverage

Your current insurance plan may provide adequate coverage for your study abroad program with the exception of medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage. If you need to supplement your current insurance, consider the purchase of an International Student Identity Card which provides a minimum amount of insurance for students abroad. Coverage is limited to the following:

$300,000 Emergency Evacuation
$25,000 Repatriation of Remains
$25,000 Accident Medical Expense (Includes $500 Emergency Dental Coverage)
$5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment - Air
$1,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment - All Other
$500 Lost Document Replacement (includes your ISIC card)
$165 per day Sickness/Hospital Benefit (up to 61 days) 
$100 Baggage Delay
$100 Travel Delay
Free - Travel Guard Assistance

*Limits and restrictions do apply. Please see the Certificate of Insurance for complete details. Only ISIC, ITIC and IYTC issued in the U.S.A. carry these insurance benefits.