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Staying Healthy Abroad

Staying healthy while participating on a global learning experience requires following many of the same good habits needed for staying healthy at home—with additional precautions depending on your location. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers advice for travel to specific countries in the “Stay Healthy and Safe” section of each country. Students traveling with special circumstances may find useful travel-health information and resources on the CDC website (scroll to Chapter 5). 

Here are a few general tips gathered from a variety of sources:

  • Before You Leave
  • Eyeglasses: Pack extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, along with a written prescription in case you need to obtain replacements. Take sufficient quantities of contact lens solution since it may not be readily available.
    Personal first aid kit: Bring a small supply of the over-the-counter remedies that normally help you at home, such as: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, sunscreen, aspirin or acetaminophen, cold and cough medicine, antihistamine and anti-diarrhea medicine.
    Physical exam: It is recommended that you get a physical exam prior to going abroad, and complete any foreseeable medical or dental work beforehand.
    Medical Incident Identification: If you have diabetes, are allergic to penicillin, or have a physical condition that may require emergency care, carry identification—a tag, bracelet, or card—on your person at all times indicating the specific nature of the medical needs and spelling out clearly what must or must not be done should you be unable to communicate this information yourself.
    Packing: For a list of recommended travel health items, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health page and the Healthy Packing Travel List for your destination(s).
    Personal first aid kit: Take a first aid kit small enough that you will keep it with you at all times, containing at least: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin or acetaminophen, antihistamine and anti-diarrhea medicine.
    Physical exam: It is recommended that you get a physical exam prior to going abroad, and complete any foreseeable medical or dental work beforehand.
  • While On-Site
  • Take it easy the first few days: Changes in climate, environment, diet, water, etc., can be physically and mentally stressful, and illnesses such as the flu, colds and gastrointestinal disorders tend to occur more frequently when we travel. 
    Hydration: To help your body adapt to your new location, drink plenty of water (bottled if recommended) and avoid/reduce your intake of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
    Water quality: In some destinations, it may be advisable that you drink only bottled beverages, avoid tap water and ice, and exercise caution when eating raw fruits and vegetables or food from street vendors.

    Sleep: It is important to get plenty of sleep when traveling. Staying out late to explore the local nightlife may be tempting, but it can make your daytime experiences less enjoyable. You may want to avoid caffeine in the evenings and consider bringing along items to help you sleep in a new environment, such as an eye cover and/or earplugs.
    Food: Your diet may change when traveling based on food availability. As much as possible, eat regular, well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. Students with specific food preferences or needs should look into food availability in their travel destination(s). In general, be aware of food sources and avoid places or vendors where it appears food has been sitting out for some time or not stored in advisable conditions. See also the CDC’s “Food and Water Safety” and “Avoiding Travelers’ Diarrhea” recommendations, as well as Food Info Net, which offers free translations for people with food allergies or intolerance.  
    Hygiene: Continue to pay attention to proper hygiene in washing your hands with soap.

    DO NOT put off medical care. If you feel ill or need medical attention, inform the program instructor/coordinator/administrator of your symptoms. If necessary, they will assist you in contacting the local hospital, a doctor or a pharmacist.

  • Guidelines for Traveling with Prescription Medications

  • Consult the Country Specific Information webpage for your destination to determine which medications you can legally bring into the country.

    It is generally advisable to bring enough of any prescription medications you are taking to last you the length of the program. If you take a medication administered with syringes, pack an appropriate supply as sizing may differ abroad.

    If your prescribing doctor advises against taking a large supply of medication, they should provide a diagnosis/prescription describing the medication so that an overseas physician may fill the prescription properly. In some cases, a physician abroad may not fill a prescription provided by a U.S. doctor without doing an examination and confirming the diagnosis.

    Any medications carried overseas should be left in their original containers, be clearly labeled including your name and the prescription number, and packed in a carry-on bag.

    Bring a copy of the prescription with you in case you need a refill. Make sure you know the drug’s brand name as well as the generic name. These names can vary from country to country.

    In addition, carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic and brand names of prescribed drugs.

    Know the names of your medications and conditions in your host-country language—especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are currently taking prescription medication. GeoBlue Worldwide offers an online drug and medical term translation guide.

    Be cautious if you choose to purchase prescription drugs abroad. It cannot be guaranteed that the same pharmaceutical standards have been used in preparation and/or storage of the prescription, and the medicine may not be up to the standards of the highly regulated U.S. pharmaceutical industry.

    Keep in mind that many prescription drugs do not work as effectively when mixed with alcohol (and that mixing these can be harmful).

  • Health Clearance Requirement for UC Davis Study Abroad Programs

  • Instructions for completing your health clearance are available in the online enrollment. All participants must complete the Health Clearance Form signed by a physician or health care provider in order to participate in a UC Davis Study Abroad program. It is extremely important that you disclose all of your medical history to the medical professional who will be performing your clearance, even if you do not believe that your condition will affect you while you are on the program. This allows medical professionals to provide accurate medical advice as you make arrangements for staying healthy during your study abroad experience.

    Participants with known and ongoing medical problems (i.e. allergies, diabetes, mental health conditions) must take special precautions in preparing for and managing their health overseas. You must anticipate how your new environment and the stresses of study abroad can affect your health.

  • Mental Health

  • Traveling abroad introduces students to new experiences that can be exciting as well as challenging. In addition to navigating a new culture, students must also adjust to differences in food, language, living arrangements, customs, and even the weather. All these new encounters can sometimes lead to stress, anxiety, or disorientation.

    Students can prepare themselves for these challenges by familiarizing themselves with the language, culture, and history of their host country and by bringing a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a willingness to be flexible. In addition, think about what you normally do at home that supports positive mental health. Make a plan to replicate those connections and behaviors abroad.

    In some cases, changes can aggravate emotional distress or mental health conditions. Students who encounter significant difficulty adjusting to their new environment or experience strong emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, or worry should seek the advice of their parents, instructor, on-site staff, and/or a mental health professional.

    UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services

    All enrolled UC Davis students are eligible to receive mental health services from Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), a no-cost confidential counseling and psychiatric service center.

    If you are abroad and would like to speak with a professional about emotional or psychological issues, you may call SHCS directly at (530) 752-2349. A staff member is available 24/7 to provide an assessment of the resources available and emergency support. You may also access SHCS through online visits.  

    SHCS will also help you contact a mental health specialist in your current location. All Study Abroad students have the option of meeting with a SHCS counselor during all UC Davis terms they are registered for—before or after traveling abroad—to discuss existing mental health conditions or transitional anxiety as you prepare for your program or as you return.

    Students with UC SHIP

    UC SHIP provides supplemental mental health services through Lyra Health to enrolled students. Students enrolled in UC SHIP while studying abroad will have access to 20 visits with a Lyra coach or clinician/counselor (provided in English regardless of where they are studying abroad) through Lyra’s international mental health services, also referred to as ICAS or Lyra Global.

    GeoBlue Mental Health Providers

    GeoBlue Global Health Insurance is provided to Summer Abroad, Summer Abroad Internships and Quarter Abroad participants by UC Davis Study Abroad to ensure quality overseas health coverage for participants. GeoBlue also provides access to doctors and counselors via telehealth through Global Wellness Assist available 24/7/365 which you can access through the app or over the phone. Global Wellness Assist includes mental health services with up to 6 sessions of counseling per issue. Available worldwide by phone, email or web or you can use the GeoBlue app, select telehealth, and talk to a counselor.

    The GeoBlue app is most convenient way to access the provider directory, schedule appointments, translate medical terms, submit claims, view your mobile ID cards and more. When you receive the welcome email with your ID number, you will want to download the app and register with your ID number.

    You can also search for a mental health professional in your destination country by logging into the GeoBlue website (see Health & Accident Insurance section above). If there is not a specialist listed for your location, you may ask your instructor to help you locate one and can contact GeoBlue to arrange for payment or pay upfront and submit a reimbursement form for the expense.

    UC Traveler/AXA Global Travel Assistance

    UC Traveler/AXA Global Travel Assistance provides emergency access to US PhD and master’s level mental health professionals by phone for psychological support, crisis intervention and stabilization. This service is intended to provide immediate support and transition to appropriate continued care, with a limit of three remote sessions per case while the appropriate follow-up treatment is being arranged. You can access services by calling Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance.

    UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services

    All enrolled UC Davis students are eligible to receive mental health services from Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), a no-cost confidential counseling and psychiatric service center. All Study Abroad students have the option of meeting with a SHCS counselor during all UC Davis terms they are registered for—before or after traveling abroad—to discuss existing mental health conditions or transitional anxiety as you prepare for your program or as you return.

    If you would like to speak with a professional about emotional or psychological issues, you may call SHCS directly at (530) 752-2349. A staff member is available 24/7 to provide an assessment and emergency support. You may also access SHCS through online visits.

    Aggie Mental Health

    This one-stop shop UC Davis website for mental health resources provides a systemic approach to help students know when and “what to do'' if faced with mental health concerns. In addition to providing general information about counseling services, the site also provides self-care resources, tips for supporting friends and loved ones, and much more. Aggie Mental Health is a campuswide mental health campaign supporting student mental health and well-being.

    For students participating on a UCEAP program, please visit the UCEAP     Health and Safety web resources.