Consider this advice:
1) Be wary of OTC medications. It is best if you get a recommendation from a close friend or advisor on brands to consider in country.

2) Start with small amounts. Do not take the full dose recommended for an OTC medication until you have a better idea of how your body will react to it. Ease into any new medicine you try.

3) Keep all medicine in original containers while traveling.

Before You Fall Ill
You should receive a comprehensive on-site orientation once you arrive at your host institution. The on-site contact should direct to you the most appropriate place for you to seek medical treatment. If this information is not provided to you, ask. You will be in a much better situation if you know in advance where to go for help if you should fall ill. It can be the worst feeling to be ill and not know where to go to get help. 

Consider this advice:
• Eating Healthy 
What you eat and drink will affect your health. While we wholeheartedly want to encourage you to enjoy the local cuisine, use a bit of caution. Remember that your body needs time to adjust to a new location. Locals may be immune to various bacteria that could make you ill, just as visitors to the U.S. may have difficulty with some of the food and drink available here.  

It is important to enjoy the local cuisine while you are abroad, however there are some helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control that will help you stay healthy. 

• Be leery of food offered by street vendors.
• Drink only bottled water, carbonated drinks or other beverages in sealed/serrated containers.
• Water should be boiled for 10 minutes, if you can not boil water you should consider treating it with iodine or chlorine tablets.
• Carefully wash all raw fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid raw or undercooked foods.
• Do not drink beverages with ice since ice cubes may be contaminated.
• Do not eat dairy products unless it is certain that it has been pasteurized.
• Avoid handling animals.
• Do not swim in fresh water.
• Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it!
• Drink plenty of water to maintain hydration.
• Be careful with consuming fruit juices as they may contain untreated water. 
• Dine in restaurants that are frequented by the locals and that have high traffic. The busier the restaurant, the higher the likelihood that food will be prepared fresh instead of sitting around for several hours.

Stay Active
Staying active is important to maintaining your health. Exercise can provide a release from culture shock and the added stress of adjusting to a new environment. Consider planning some sort of exercise into your daily routine. For most students, this will be easy to do. Students often return from abroad indicating that they walked a lot more when they were overseas then they do when they are here in the U.S.

Use Your Resources
For more information on how to stay healthy, visit the CDC website. You will also find helpful information through the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dentist 
Students are encouraged to have a regular dental check-up prior to departure. Many oral complications can be treated and prevented by taking recommended precautions. 

Pre-Existing Health Conditions 
Studying abroad is physically and emotionally demanding. Many students report that existing health conditions worsen when they are away from home. It is imperative that participants with pre-existing health conditions plan ahead for the possibility that they may require treatment while overseas. If you have a chronic illness that requires medical attention, have your doctor write a detailed, clinical report that can be given to a doctor in the host country. It is important for you to research what kind of care you can realistically expect to receive for your particular condition.

In urban areas, where students are likely to have to use underground rail systems, it is important for students with asthma to consider bringing a portable breathing machine or appropriate inhalers. Check with your primary physician regarding options available if this applies to you.

Diabetics should check with their doctor before departure so they can adjust their insulin intake during the flight overseas. Diabetics also must take into consideration the change in activity levels during travel during this time. 

Take care of foreseeable medical, dental, gynecological, and optical needs prior to departure!

Prescription Medications 
For students taking prescription medications, you are advised to consult your physician to make sure you have an adequate supply for the duration of your study abroad program. Do not expect that you will be able to fill your prescription in the host country. It is also recommended that you get a letter from your physician describing the prescription you are taking, what it is for, and identification of a generic alternative. Do not pack your prescription medication in your checked baggage. Keep all prescription drugs with you in carry on baggage.

Alcohol 
As you know, alcohol and drugs impair the ability to function clearly. Impaired abilities combined with an unfamiliar location have caused numerous tragedies to student travelers in the past. Situations can turn very bad very fast, leaving a person vulnerable. For your safety, respect cultural norms and avoid excessive drinking and indulging in unbecoming activities.

Remember this information:
1)  You are subject to the local laws regarding your personal conduct and behavior.

2)  Your status as a U.S. student will not protect you from prosecution if you are found in violation of local laws. 

3)  Anti-drug laws in your host country may be more strict than in the U.S., and penalties may be more severe.

4)  As a GVSU student, you are expected to exercise good judgment and behave responsibly at all times - not simply during your time in the classroom. 

5) Students caught using illegal drugs or excessively abusing alcohol can be immediately dismissed from the program.

STDs 
At this point in your life, it is our hope that you have been presented with information about the risks associated with unsafe sex. The rules for protecting yourself against STDs are the same whether you are here at home or abroad.

Remember this information:
1) Next to common travel illness, STDs are considered to be the second most common health issue students face while participating in a study abroad program.  We strongly encourage you to become informed on the risks associated with sexual activity and take recommended precautions. Consult your primary care physician or the GVSU Health Clinic for additional information on STDs.

2) Students have control over engaging in risky behavior. You may find a number of ways to justify risky behavior including your belief that the behavior fits in with the local culture. Remember: the bottom line is that you are taking a risk where there could be severe consequences. Carefully consider your actions and recognize that you are out of your element and may not have all of the information necessary to make the best decision.  

PIC offers a helpful brochure to students on risks.  This brochure is published by CIEE.  We strongly recommend you read this information carefully.

3) HIV is prevalent everywhere in the world and can lead to death. There is currently no cure for this disease.  

Travel Safe: Aids and International Travel

 
If You Fall Ill

Consider This Advice:
1) If after a day or two your condition does not improve or you get worse very quickly, make arrangements to see a doctor immediately.

2) Maintain good communication with your on-site contact or, if applicable, your host family. Be sure to seek assistance if you need it!

3) Carefully consider the recommendations made available to you in the CDC report. This report provides you with a lot of information on recommended immunizations, important precautions you should take, and tips on how to stay healthy. 

4) If you need help finding the nearest English-speaking physician, you can contact the AIG Worldrisk International Service that is made available through GVSU.  See information sheet provided in your orientation packet for details. 

You can receive support services by calling collect: 713-260-5508.

In the Event of an Emergency
1) In the event of an accident, injury, or illness, you will need to seek necessary emergency assistance immediately.  If you are able to, it is also very important to try to notify your on-site contact.  They can usually offer you a great deal of help and comfort.
         

2) When you have an opportunity, contact home and the Padnos International Center (PIC).  PIC works with students who are involved in emergency situations every year. We have an on-campus team available 24 hours a day to respond to critical situations. We cannot be helpful if we do not know there is a problem.