The OIP recommends students read the Travel Health Information offered by the University Health Service (UHS). The UHS website provides information on immunizations and/or shots necessary for travel in certain areas of the world and other pertinent health information. Further questions or concerns should be directed towards a family doctor. Students with medical conditions should discuss possible affects of a study abroad experience with their doctor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has information about health conditions around the world. Students should also have a dental check-up and any necessary dental or optical work done before leaving the U.S.
Jet Lag
A person can expect to experience some form of jet lag when traveling through different time zones. Fatigue, indigestion, and sleeping difficulties are common problems during the first few days after arrival. In order to minimize jet lag, you should avoid consuming alcohol and try to stay well-hydrated during your flight. Drink plenty of water, juice or soft-drinks. Upon arrival, immediately attempt to adjust to the local time of the country. Though you may want to sleep as soon as they get off the plane; it is in your best interest to stay as active as possible, stay awake as long as possible, and get up the next day at a standard time so your body can begin to adjust to the new time zone.
Medications
Students who are taking prescribed medication for a medical condition should, if at all possible, bring enough medicine for the duration of their time abroad. All prescription and over-the-counter drugs should be properly labeled to avoid problems when clearing security and customs. Students should know the generic name of their prescription(s) so that an equivalent version of the drug can be located in emergencies. For common ailments, such as colds or headaches, students are encouraged to bring their preferred brand of medicine as they may not be available outside the U.S.
Medical Assistance
Students should not hesitate to inform their Resident Director or host family of any medical problem or contact the study abroad office at your host institution.
Travelers' Assistance Hotline
Students can also take advantage of ISIC’s toll-free number offering a multilingual staff ready to help in any medical, legal, or financial emergency overseas. The number to call from outside the U.S. is 715-342-4104 (call collect); in the U.S. and Canada call 1-877-370-ISIC (4742).
For the latest safety information, please visit our News & Events page.
Americans Abroad
Students planning on studying abroad are advised to become as informed as possible about political and health conditions in their country of study before they go. This information can change rapidly, so in addition to following international news, students and their families can consult the following websites:
It is also important and appropriate for students to ask their program administrators what sort of procedures are in place for dealing with emergencies arising from rapidly changing political situations and/or terrorist threats.
Crime
Most large cities, in the U.S. and abroad, suffer from common crimes. Students should use the same precautions abroad as in any U.S. metropolitan area. Following are some general safety precautions:
Personal Safety for Women Travelers
Female students should think about what it means to live as a woman in the country in which they will be studying abroad. While it is impossible to generalize about the experience of women traveling in all places in the world, women may experience some gender-specific challenges when living or traveling abroad.
The incidence of violent crime against women is higher in the U.S. than in many other countries. However due to language and cultural differences, what is considered appropriate behavior for a woman in the U.S. may be interpreted much differently by the men and women of a host country. This is further compounded by foreign distortions or stereotypes about American women, based on images acquired through American film and advertising. Women should be aware that behavior which is considered incorrect in the U.S. may more readily accepted abroad (e.g. whistling or personal comments). A smile, eye contact, certain clothing, or the way a women carries herself can connote different things in different cultures.
While the OIP will supply some information, travel guides or articles and women who have been abroad are better resources. The more a woman learns about her host country (customs, traditions, etc.) the more she will be able to understand how to travel safely. The OIP has collected feedback from women who have studied abroad. Common suggestions have included:
Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
If alcohol consumption is part of the host country’s culture, you will likely have greater access to alcohol abroad than in the U.S. It is important to be aware of the risks it poses to general health and safety. The safety issue is simply this - when you drink, your inhibitions are lowered and you are not in complete control of your faculties. The likelihood of participating in risky behaviors (such as unprotected sex) is increased and you become more vulnerable to accidents (such as falling) and crime (such as theft or assault). The health issue is that too much alcohol can make you feel terrible, damage your long-term health and, in extreme amounts, actually kill you.
It is safest to drink only in moderation and to avoid alcohol completely if driving, even for a short distance. The specific physical effects of drinking should also be understood in order to make informed choices about when and how to use alcohol safely and what moderation means in concrete terms. The following advice is taken from Arcana, the student-produced guide to North Campus:
If you are not used to drinking, you probably have little knowledge about your own tolerance level or how alcohol affects you. Your liver processes and removes alcohol from your body at a rate of about 1/2 ounce of pure alcohol per hour. To remain in control of your drinking, it is important to know exactly how much alcohol you are consuming. Each of the following drinks has about ½ ounce of pure alcohol:
- 1 shot of distilled spirits (1 oz.)
- 1 beer (12 oz.)
- 1 glass of wine (4 oz.)
- 1 wine cooler (9 oz.)
Safe Consumption of Alcohol
Most importantly, drink in moderation.
Moderate drinking means no more than one drink per hour with a limit of three per night for women and four per night for men. If a student is going to drink - it is a good idea to eat something before and while drinking. This will both slow down alcohol’s effect on the body and provide nutrients that might otherwise skip while drinking. If someone has an alcohol or other substance abuse problem, counseling and treatment programs available at home are not likely to be accessible while abroad. Please also note that drug- or alcohol-related accidents, under certain policies and terms, may not qualify for health insurance benefits.
Illegal drug use and possession are serious crimes.
The State Department's Travel Warnings on Drugs Abroad contains this valuable advice:
Although drug laws may vary in each country you visit, it is important to realize, before you make the mistake of getting involved with drugs, that foreign officials do not react lightly to drug offenders. Anyone who is caught with even a very small quantity for personal use may be tried and may receive the same sentence as the large-scale trafficker.
It is also essential to remember that once a citizen leaves the United States, U.S. laws and constitutional rights do not cover them. The U.S. consular officers abroad can only intercede with local authorities to make sure that an American's rights under local law are fully observed and that humane treatment is accorded under internationally accepted standards. The officer cannot demand your release. There is very little anyone can do to help if you are caught with drugs while abroad. Fines, imprisonment, and other penalties may be extremely harsh.
© 2002 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LS&A HOME PAGE | INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE | OIP HOME PAGE Last updated: Thursday September 04 2008 Wednesday, March 19, 2008 1:07 PM Questions? oip@umich.edu |