Health & Safety

• Attend all pre-departure orientation sessions, review predparture materials provided by our office, and complete the online orientation modules.
• Read and consider all information related to health and safety concerns in the host destination.
• Research the political, economic, and cultural context of the host destination before departure.
• Reflect on individual health concerns (physical or mental) and consult all necessary medical experts to determine appropriate care while traveling.
• Purchase international health insurance if going on a non-TU program abroad (or check with your provider). Students going on TU study abroad programs will automatically be enrolled in the TU Study Abroad Health Insurance plan for the duration of their program.
• Provide family members, program staff, and the TU Study Abroad & Away Office with accurate emergency contact information.
• Comply with all codes of conduct and emergency procedures of the study abroad/away program or host institution.
• Obey all host destination laws.
• Behave respectfully and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.
• Avoid all illegal drugs and exercise moderation when consuming alcohol.
• Consistently inform program staff of individual whereabouts.
• Become familiar with the medical and legal services available in your host country.
• Accept responsibility for individual decisions and actions.

A successful study abroad/away experience is a safe study abroad/away experience. We strongly encourage you to consider the following safety tips:

Before You Go

• Make two copies of your passport if studying abroad. Keep one copy in a safe place and leave one copy at home. Once you arrive in country, leave your passport in a secure location except when traveling. Do not carry it around with you at all times.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to departure overseas.
• if studying abroad, review the country information page of your host country and stay current on world events on the U.S. Department of State website.  Be aware of the specific risks in your host destination. 
• Check out DiversityAbroad.com for information on diversity and inclusion in your host country (ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, gender, etc.)

Be a Smart Traveler

• When traveling, research the safest modes of transport. Review the country information page of your host country on the U.S. Department of State website before you go.
• Keep all valuables on your person while traveling. If possible, carry minimal cash and separate your cash from your credit or debit cards.
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, and never accept packages from strangers. Pick-pocketing is a widespread problem, and Americans abroad are often a prime target. Stay constantly aware of your surroundings.
• Don't bring extremely valuable possessions with you. If you have an irreplaceable item, it is best to leave it at home.

Think About Your Actions

• While studying abroad/away, students are representatives of Towson University. You are bound to the TU Code of Student Accountability while you are traveling. Violations of the code may result in actions while away and/or when you return to campus.
• Every year, students hurt themselves in alcohol-related incidents. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so responsibly! Stay with other people at all times, and exercise good judgment.
• Do not become involved with illegal drugs. The punishment for drug use in some countries is extremely severe.
• Road accidents are the number one cause of injury to U.S. citizens abroad. Become familiar with safe modes of public transportation and avoid driving in unfamiliar areas.
• Avoid potentially volatile situations, such as protests, rallies and well-known American hot-spots.
• Be sure that your program leader or on-site provider or host institution representative consistently knows of your whereabouts, and establish a way to stay in contact with your family and friends.

Emergencies

• Have a plan, for both home and abroad.
• Make sure you know where the local U.S. embassy is located when traveling overseas.
• Be aware of travel alerts and any civil unrest.
• If something does happen, stay calm and find your way to a safe location as soon as possible.
• Contact the international office at your host institution or your program representative on site.
• Follow instructions provided by the local authorities.
• Touch base with your emergency contacts and our office to let us know you are safe.
• TU Study Abroad & Away Office Emergency Contact info is as follows:
  During office hours (Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm):
  410-704-2451
  After office hours please contact the Towson University Police:
  410-704-4444

 

• TU Study Abroad Health Insurance Requirements
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Passport Health

Before YOU GO

• Schedule any medical checkups before you leave as you may not have access to regular appointments overseas and it is wise to make sure you have a clean bill of health before departure.
• Make copies of any important health records before departure, and make a note of how to contact your physician or therapist from overseas or from another state. 
• Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to determine whether immunizations are recommended for travelers to your destination country abroad. If you do need any immunizations contact your doctor or a travel medical clinic such as Passport Health.
• If you do have a pre-existing mental or physical health condition, check in with your physician or mental health professional to discuss the possible stresses that could be caused by study abroad/away. If you require medication, discuss the best way to ensure that you will have a sufficient quantity for your stay.
• All TU students are required to have adequate overseas health insurance prior to going abroad. Please review the TU Study Abroad Health Insurance Requirements on our Policies page for details.
• IMPORTANT: Some medications that are legal in the U.S. are prohibited in other countries and you may not be able to take them into your host country or have them sent to you. If you plan on taking any medications with you abroad, review this website and/or check with the host country’s embassy to make sure they're legal to take through customs and use in-country.
• If you take prescription medicine, research whether it's available in your host country in case you need a refill and bring a copy of the prescription for the generic name of the drug. If you have any favorite over-the-counter remedies that you use, you may want to take an initial or full year’s supply (if permitted).
• Contact your insurance company to get enough of your medication for your entire time abroad. You should not plan on getting prescriptions filled while abroad or having the medication mailed to you.

While abroad or away

• Once you arrive at your destination, acquaint yourself with the local health care system. Determine how you would find a doctor in the event of an emergency.
• If studying abroad, remember that health care differs dramatically between countries. You should not expect all health services to resemble the services found in the United States.
• You may find that your diet changes significantly while you are away. If you have specific nutritional needs or preferences, you should be aware that it may be difficult to carefully monitor your diet.
• Be aware of sanitation in health preparation. For example, if you are studying in a less developed country you should avoid street food and raw vegetables whenever possible.
• Ask if it is safe to drink the water in your destination. If it is not, avoid all exposure to the water by using bottled water for tasks such as brushing your teeth, ask for drinks without ice, and avoid salads in restaurants as raw vegetables are often rinsed in tap water.
• Stay abreast of all health alerts in your destination. If you feel that you are getting sick, inform your on site representative so that they can determine whether or not you need additional care.
• Sexually-transmitted diseases are prevalent around the world. Exercise extreme caution if engaging in any sexual activity.
• Studying abroad or away will drastically change your daily routine. As a result, your physical or mental health can be affected. You may experience jet lag, culture shock, emotional reactions to changes in diet or lack of exercise, homesickness or loneliness. Prepare yourself for the potential of these emotions and determine how best to handle them if they do arise.

 

• Preparations for Traveling with a Mental Health Condition

Before You Go

• Meet with your mental health care provider. Discuss whether now is an appropriate time to study abroad or away; talk about ways to plan for cultural adjustment and being away from your normal support network. Identify what kind of accommodations you may need and how you plan to get medication/treatment during your experience. Talk over methods for keeping in touch with your care provider if possible or for accessing telecounseling while away. Discuss an emergency plan in case of any crisis that could occur during your program.
• Talk to your support system that you have at home. Plan how you will be able to get in touch with friends and family while abroad or away.  Talk to them about how you can best be supported with your mental health during the experience.  Is there anything specific you want your support system to check in with you about?
• Research cultural practices and mental health in your host country/region. You may also wish to do this before you select your program. In some places here in the United States and abroad, stigma may still exist around mental health and people may have different perspectives regarding mental health. It's important to look into how mental health is generally viewed in the host country and what types of care are available there. This is also a great topic to discuss with your Study Abroad & Away Advisor if you feel comfortable doing so.
• If you're studying abroad, research your host country in general to prepare for what cultural adjustment and culture shock you may experience.
• If you feel comfortable, disclose with your Study Abroad & Away Advisor, Program Leader, or Provider. They can help you find information about opportunities for meeting others (host family, buddy program, other U.S. students, etc.) and also what kind of support or care options might be available on your program. 
• Work with your international health insurance provider to find names of English speaking psychiatrists, psychologists, or counselors in your host country and to find out if they offer telecounseling services as part of your coverage.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

• What possible changes in my mental health might I experience while studying abroad?
• What suggestions do you have to stay healthy?
• How much of my medication can I take over at a time/how can I access my medication abroad?
• Can you provide me with documentation for travelling with medication?
• Are there medications I would need to take abroad (e.g., anti-malarial medication) that could interact with my current medication?
• How can I adjust my medication regimen to a different time zone?
• Can we keep in touch while I’m abroad, and if so, how? (Phone call, skype, e-mail?) If not, do you have recommendations for my care?

ADJUSTING TO A NEW CULTURE

• Don’t isolate yourself. Explore your host city, don’t just stay in your housing.
• Keep in touch with friends back home but also reach out to people locally.
• Journal.  This can be good for tracking mood and if you’re experiencing culture shock or something more. There are also great mood tracker apps you can use on your phone.
• Recognize your limits and allow yourself to take time for self-care, even if it may take away from an excursion or activity.
• Remember to eat and get enough sleep. Jetlag and exhaustion can impact mood.
• If you choose to drink alcohol, be mindful of your use. Alcohol may affect you differently when in another place.
• Expect to feel upset, nervous, frustrated at times and recognize ways to cope. You will face similar challenges abroad as you do here, so again — journaling to track how long these feelings last can be very useful.
• Remember, cultural adjustment is natural. Low points may not necessarily be your condition worsening, or may not be related to your diagnosis at all. High points do not mean that you are “cured” and should stop any use of medication, if applicable.
• Reach out for support.