How to Have a Healthy and Safe International Experience University of New Mexico Global Education Office

 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 Preparing to Study Abroad

 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 More Preparations

 Make copies of your important documents like passport, credit cards, birth certificate, and leave a set with your family  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 a copy of your vision prescription Before you Leave

 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 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

 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 Before you leave

 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 If you have any serious or potential medical conditions

 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 While you are Studying Abroad

You are what you eat

 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 Check periodically: How am I Feeling?

Mental Health Check  Are you experiencing serious culture shock, homesickness, loneliness, or depression?  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

Malaria  Consult your doctor about prescription medications to prevent exposure Dengue, Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile virus, etc.  Insect repellent with DEET 30-50% or Picaridin 20% is most effective  Use Permethrin spray for clothing  Use a mosquito net for sleeping Insect Borne Diseases

Learn Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Diseases you may Encounter For symptoms of any of these, seek medical help  Tick-borne diseases  Gonorrhea  Herpes  Altitude Sickness  HIV/AIDS  Measles  Malaria  Typhoid  Yellow Fever  Dengue Fever  Cholera  Rabies

The most common cause of injuries and death while abroad is: ACCIDENTS -- automobile, bike, pedestrian, sports, swimming, ESPECIALLY WHEN MIXED WITH ALCOHOL

 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 Safety

 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

 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 Water Recreation

 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 Extreme Sports

 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 Health and Safety

 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 Sexual and Emotional Relationships

 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” Post-Travel

Have a Great International Experience!