Health and Safety

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Please pay particular attention to these notices and reminders about health and safety. Remember that it is your responsibility to research conditions in the country or region to which you will be going, to take care of any health concerns you may have, and to keep up to date on changes that may occur while you are away.

We expect that students will inform themselves and make their own decisions about where they feel comfortable living and traveling. If a potentially dangerous situation develops while you are abroad, we will gladly help you contact appropriate resources, on site and elsewhere, to ensure that you have adequate information about the situation to take precautions to protect yourself and to decide whether the situation is sufficiently serious to warrant an early return. In such cases we would also work with you on any credit issues that may arise as a result of an early closing of a study abroad program, or an individual decision to return early for reasons of health and safety. We hope that your time abroad will be free of any such concerns, but obviously it is best to be prepared.

Please note these tips and reminders:

• No matter where you are planning to study, research or intern, it is a good idea to have a physical and dental exam before you leave the US and when you return. If you see any type of health care professional on a regular basis (physician, counselor, psychiatrist, etc.), be sure to discuss your plans thoroughly with him/her.

• If you have a chronic or recurring health problem, you might want to arrange to bring adequate supplies of the appropriate medication with you. Be sure that any medication is identified by its generic name (not the brand name) and that you carry a copy of the prescription with you; check also to verify that it is permissible to bring the medication into your host country, as requirements vary. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, take an extra pair (or at least a copy of the prescription). Consider carefully what information about health conditions you should share with those helping to coordinate your program abroad, and those who will be hosting you (medical conditions, therapeutic needs, allergies, medications, etc.).

• Specific information on required and recommended vaccinations and other preventive measures for travelers is available from the Health Center, your local Health Department, your study abroad program sponsor, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization. Find out what medical concerns may be specific to your destination country and prepare yourself accordingly (i.e. mosquito nets, water purifier, etc.). The CDC sponsors an International Travelers Hotline (877-FYI-TRIP), through which you may listen to recorded information or order written materials. The CDC also publishes a booklet "Health Information for International Travel". If you do need inoculations, do some comparison shopping (among your own physician, local clinics, hospitals, etc.), as costs can vary widely. The Yellow fever vaccination, if needed, is available from the University of Massachusetts Health Center (Western Massachusetts Yellow Fever Center), or the travel clinics at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and Noble Hospital in Westfield. Plan ahead, as some inoculations cannot be given concurrently, and some are ideally administered over a period of three to six months.

• Check the appropriate websites (Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, State Department, etc.) regularly for updated information about avian flu and pandemic planning. Know how infectious diseases are spread, and whether there is any particular reason for concern in the areas to which you will be traveling. Follow the advice provided by public health agencies, your program sponsor, and other knowledgeable sources about how to minimize your risk of exposure and what preventive measures you can take to safeguard your health.

• Based on recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Medical Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the staff of College Health Services strongly recommends that all who have traveled or lived for more than one month in one or more of the countries listed by the World Health Organization as having high rates of Tuberculosis should have a tuberculin skin test for latent tuberculosis. For information on countries with high incidence rates, see Rutgers' Resource. Skin testing for TB can be done at College Health Services. For most reliable testing this should be done at least 3 months after the possible exposure. There is a fee of $15.00. For more information on incidence, transmission and treatment of tuberculosis see this reference.

• If applicable, please think through arrangements for birth control ahead of time. You should also know that AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are as common as in the US, or more so, in many other countries. Whatever sorts of precautions (in terms of both careful behavior with respect to relationships and actual prophylactic measures) you would take at home should be taken abroad as well. Exercise the same prudence, good judgment, high standards, and caution that you would at home. Be careful, in every way possible.

• If you expect to need medical care or special accommodations (whether for a physical condition, mental health counseling, learning disability, etc.), you should notify your program sponsor or foreign university immediately, if you have not already done so. Your program/host institution can advise you about appropriate resources and help you link up with health care providers, support groups, etc. You should also talk with your current health care providers/counselors here to help clarify your needs and identify resources abroad.

• Whether or not you expect to need medical care while abroad, identify a doctor or clinic where you would feel comfortable as soon as possible after your arrival. Your program or sponsor may have recommendations, and US Embassies often can provide lists of English-speaking doctors. Don’t wait until you are sick to check into these resources and learn how the medical bureaucracy works.

• Take basic common-sense health precautions, and avoid activities that may put you at particular risk (such as tattooing or body piercing).

• Take along your own Traveler’s First Aid Kit. For suggestions on contents, see First Aid Resource.

• Be aware that road accidents are the single greatest risk to Americans traveling abroad in many parts of the world. In many areas, safety features that we take for granted (such as guardrails, traffic signals, good lighting, well-maintained vehicles, etc.) do not meet the standards to which we may be accustomed. Animal traffic may share the roads with pedestrians and motorized vehicles. Know the traffic patterns, standards of driving behavior, and rules of the road so that you can keep yourself safe as a pedestrian. Know the safety records of local and other means of transportation so that you can make smart choices. The Consular Information Sheets on the State Department website (see the section on “General Safety and Responsibility” on page 12) generally include information about particular issues and risks. Also see the Association for Safe International Road Travel website for additional information and resources.

Other resources on health and safety include:

• Health Check for Study, Work, and Travel Abroad, published by the Council on International Educational Exchange, and available on their web site.

• Health Information for International Travel, available from the US Government Printing Office

• Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (available from Volunteers in Asia, Box 5453, Stanford, CA 94309)

• Travel Warning on Drugs Abroad

• International Travel Health Guide by Dr. Stuart R. Rose, published by Travel Medicine, Inc., 351 Pleasant St., Suite 312, Northampton, MA 01060, tel. 584-0381. This comprehensive guide to pre-departure planning includes information on immunization requirements, how to prevent common (and not-so-common) health problems, and detailed information on health hazards and necessary precautions for more than 100 countries, plus regional summaries.

• "Travel Safe: AIDS and International Travel" offers a useful summary of how AIDS is and is not transmitted and the precautions one should take to minimize risk. Some countries now require an HIV antibody test as part of the visa application. Note in particular that not all countries have the facilities to screen adequately the blood used in transfusions; the use of sterile/disposable syringes is not standard around the world; and not all countries have adequate facilities to treat individuals who test HIV-positive. Country-specific details are available from your program sponsor and:
  • CDC web site
  • CDC National HIV/AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS
  • For the Hearing Impaired: 1-800-243-7889
  • CDC National Clearing House: 1-800-458-5231
  • World Health Organization: 1-202-861-3200

In particular, the CDC web site cautions against the following kinds of activities and behaviors:

• sexual intercourse or other sexual activity (heterosexual or homosexual) with an infected person or a person whose HIV status is unknown

• use of contaminated or unsterilized syringes or needles for injections or other skin-piercing procedures (such as acupuncture, use of illicit drugs, medical/dental procedures, ear or body piercing, tattooing, etc.)

Investigate these issues before you leave the US so that you will be able to make an informed decision about treatment if you require emergency care. When you arrive abroad, check with your program director, the Red Cross, or the US Consulate about appropriate medical facilities in your host city or region. Inform them early on of any special health concerns or needs that you have. Do not wait for an emergency, in which case you may not have the time to research your options. We strongly recommend that you inform yourself of the potential problems in the country or countries to which you plan to travel so that you may make informed decisions about appropriate precautions to take.

• We strongly recommend that you have adequate health insurance coverage while you are abroad, including emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. The insurance provided with the ISIC ID Card includes basic coverage of some of these areas, and you can add coverage for it to your Mount Holyoke policy; coverage is also available from other carriers. See the website InsureMyTrip for comparative information on insurance policies offered by a wide range of companies.

• If you are on the Mount Holyoke student health insurance plan, it will cover you through the summer (the plan year runs from August 15 to August 14). You may continue coverage under the plan while on an approved academic leave of absence for study abroad, provided that you submit a written request to do so to the Office of Student Financial Services. If you have been receiving medical care for any chronic or recurring condition, it is important for you to maintain health insurance coverage, either under the same policy or under different policies, with any gap in coverage being no more than 60 days. Ideally, you do not want to have any gap at all, as you would not be covered during that period. But if there is a gap of more than 60 days, any condition for which you previously received treatment, or that developed during the gap period, will be designated as a “pre-existing condition” and will have a six-month waiting period before you become eligible for coverage upon your return to the Mount Holyoke student health plan.

• You may want to consider obtaining additional insurance through your program (if available) or your parents that is designed specifically for coverage abroad. A good insurance plan for travel abroad should include benefits for medical evacuation (in case of accident or illness that requires treatment elsewhere) and repatriation of remains.

Most of you will be living abroad in cities considerably larger than South Hadley; some of you will be living in a major city for the first time; most of you will be doing at least some traveling during vacations. Whatever your circumstances, a few basic precautions may be useful to keep in mind; there is much that you can do, through your own behavior and choices that you make, to protect your health and well-being. The vast majority of travelers abroad encounter few problems, but it is always wise to use the same care and common sense that you would in any US city:

• Get to know your city and/or campus and avoid areas that are potentially unsafe. When you travel to other cities or countries, be informed about what is going on there. Take a map when you are in an unfamiliar place, and ask directions, in advance, of a trustworthy person. Find out what safety precautions the locals take.

• Carry emergency funds and/or a phone card with you when you travel.

• Be cautious in elevators and stairwells; if you feel uncomfortable about getting into an elevator, wait for the next one.

• Travel with a partner, particularly at night; stay in brightly-lighted areas where other people are around.

• Be careful of your personal possessions, particularly in public areas such as train stations, airports, markets, etc.; leave valuables or items that cannot be replaced at home.

• Be alert to what is going on around you, and be especially wary of any commotion that centers on you; someone could be going through your backpack while you're distracted by something else.

• Consider some of the security pouches that enable you to stow away your passport, money, and other important papers under your clothes.

• Dress conservatively, especially when traveling to new and unfamiliar areas. Shorts and tank tops are not considered appropriate dress in many parts of the world, and may make you feel particularly uncomfortable if you run into unexpected problems (losing a wallet and having to report it to police, dealing with unwanted advances, etc.).

• The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides a wealth of information on safety and other issues for Americans traveling abroad. A Consular Information Sheet for each country includes information on the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, immigration practices, health conditions, political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides that conditions warrant a recommendation that Americans avoid travel to a particular country. Information from the Consular Information Sheets is also available at Passport Agencies, through travel agents' computer reservation systems, and from U.S. Consulates abroad. For emergency services abroad, call the Overseas Citizens Services line at 202-647-5225. Because situations abroad may change rapidly and because we have no way of knowing where students' travel plans may take them, Mount Holyoke assumes no responsibility for informing students about the content of these advisories.

• For another perspective on safety and travel, see the travel information provided by the Canadian and British governments.

• The State Department strongly recommends that Americans register with the consulate or embassy in the country in which they are studying or visiting. In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, registration facilitates the State Department contacting Americans to verify their safety or help ensure that they receive needed assistance. Your program or host university will probably be able to advise or assist you in registering, but you can also find information on the Embassy’s web site (in many places, you can register on-line).

• Keep your emergency contacts up-to-date, and always make sure someone knows where you are going, and when you expect to be back.

• You are expected to abide by the laws of your host country and the regulations of your program/university. The US government (or other government, if you are not a US citizen) has no power to interfere if you are fined or arrested for violation of a local law.

• Your country’s Embassy or Consulate abroad can help you if you lose your passport. Officials may also be able to assist you in obtaining funds from home, should you run out of money; they will not, however, actually provide any financial assistance.

In recent years, we have all become more aware of the potential threat of terrorist activity, both at home and abroad. You and your family may find it helpful to know that students are rarely the specific targets of terrorist acts. Terrorist acts are by definition unpredictable, but there are certain basic precautions you can take to minimize your risks:

• Remain alert in public places.

• Avoid unattended parcels, suitcases, etc., in public places.

• Limit the time you spend in the public areas of facilities that may be potential targets (e.g., US Consulates and Embassies, airports, public transportation facilities, offices and branches of US banks and other companies, including fast-food restaurants).

• If you are from the US, avoid calling attention to yourself as an American.

• Mount Holyoke College expects all of its students traveling abroad to respect and abide by the laws of their host countries regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol use and abuse can get students into serious trouble abroad; students can be arrested for being intoxicated in public areas, for example, and for drunk driving. Every traveler is subject to all laws in the countries they visit, and those who break laws may face severe penalties.

• What may be considered acceptable alcohol usage in this country or your home country may be considered rude in another. If you are going to a country with a lower legal age for drinking, or no age limit-- be cautious. If you drink to the point of intoxication you are at increased risk for injury, unprotected or unsafe sex, sexual assault or other health related consequences. Students usually will not offend their hosts if they are honest about their alcohol limits. In many cases, hosts are more offended by their guests' irresponsible drinking than by their guests’ not drinking or limiting their alcohol.

• Depending on where you might be traveling, some other drugs may be easily and readily available, but penalties for illegal use may be very strict, often much more so than in the US. Each year more than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad, about half of them on drug-related charges, with the majority of those cases involving marijuana. If you are arrested for buying, selling, carrying, or using any type of illegal drug, the US Embassy or Consulate cannot demand your immediate release, get you out of jail or out of the country, represent you at trial, provide legal counsel, or pay legal fees and fines with US government funds. Never travel with contraband drugs; remember, being in a foreign jail is not an educational experience that you want to have!

• Please be aware that, according to the Higher Education Act of 1998, "...any student who has been convicted of any offense under federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible for federal financial assistance for a period beginning on the date of the conviction and ending after the interval specified in the amendment."

• Students in recovery might benefit from information about supports and contact with others in recovery in their host country:
  • Alcoholics Anonymous AA
    World Services, Inc.
    475 Riverside Dr.
    New York, NY 10115
    Tel: (212) 870-3400
    Fax: (212) 870-3003

  • AL-ANONAl-Anon Family Groups World Service Headquarters
    1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
    Virginia Beach, VA 23454
    Tel: (757) 563-1600 or 1-800-344-2666, x3
    

  • Narcotics Anonymous
    P.O. Box 9999
    Van Nuys, CA 91311
    Tel: (818) 773-9999

  • The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Project (ADAP) on campus may be able to connect you with an alumna in recovery who is a participant in the ADAP Alumnae Network. These alumnae are available to provide you with support and information about recovery resources. The Project can provide you with recovery tapes and literature that can support your recovery. All information is confidential.

    If you would like further information about this issue, please contact:

    Susan McCarthy
    Director and Counselor
    Alcohol and Drug Awareness Project
    Room 110, Health Center

    Karen Jacobus
    Coordinator
    Health Education
    309 Blanchard/131 Health Center