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Travel Health Preparation Guide

This guide is designed to help you identify and plan for your health and well-being during travel. Please keep in mind that how health conditions and/or disabilities that are managed in the U.S. may change or be more challenging in an off-campus or international setting. Whether you are traveling domestically or abroad, answering the questions in this guide will assist you in proactively addressing potential health challenges.
 
Within your GO application, after you have committed to your program, you will complete a health form, sign a health declaration, and complete a wellness plan. Some of the questions below will be repeated in the materials in your application. It is your responsibility to research the availability of your health plan in your host country, and to communicate your health needs with your program provider/host university, program director, and the GO program staff.
 
In planning for your GO program, please review this guide, which has resources for you as well as questions to ask yourself as you are planning for your health while traveling. Additionally, you should:
  • Research strategies to manage your health in your travel destination/s.
  • Consult with your current physical health care provider and/or psychological, or with the on-campus resources available to SU students. Work together to develop a self-care plan for your off-campus experience as needed.
  • Share relevant information with a travel companion, onsite staff member, or program leader (if applicable) if it will make you feel safer, if you need routine support or support in the case of an emergency, or if you have questions. Common examples include sharing information about approved accommodations, medications, life-threatening allergic reactions, and dietary preferences.
 
Physical Health
  • Are you currently being treated, or have you been treated for a serious physical health condition, injury, or disease within the last five years?
    • If yes, what do you do in the U.S. to care for these conditions (e.g., taking medication, seeing a health professional, maintaining personal networks, etc.)? Will these strategies be available to you during your program?
  • Do you plan on taking prescription medications while traveling?
    • If yes, are your medications legal and available at your destination/s? Some medications common in the United States, such as pain medications like codeine and tramadol, and others, may be considered illegal in other countries. See Traveling Abroad with Medicine for details.
  • What do you need to successfully manage your physical health conditions during your travel experience? What concrete steps will you take to address these needs?
  • Do you speak the local language? If not, what strategies will you use to explain your healthcare needs?
  • Do you need to consult with a healthcare professional at your destination/s for continued care or to refill a prescription?
  • What precautions will you take to minimize your travel health risks?
  • Do you have any drug, food, or other allergies (e.g., medications, gluten, nuts, shellfish, bee stings, environmental factors, etc.)?
    • If yes, what are your reactions if exposed?
    • How likely will it be to encounter these allergies in your host destination/s?
    • What steps will you take to minimize the risk of exposure and/or plan for treatment?
  • How will you accommodate your dietary preferences or restrictions during travel?
  • Are there any dietary items you should plan to carry with you? For example, if you are diabetic, will you plan to bring and carry electrolyte pouches to manage blood sugar flare up?
 
Mental Health
  • Are you currently being treated, or have you been treated during the last 5 years for a mental health condition (e.g., addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorder, a condition related to loss or grief, etc.)?
    • If yes, what do you do on campus to care for these conditions (e.g., medication, seeing a health professional, personal networks, etc.)?
    • How would this condition be treated during an acute flare up, what coping strategies have you found helpful, and can you replicate this treatment or apply the coping strategies while traveling?
  • What do you need to successfully manage your mental health and well-being during your travel experience?
    • What concrete steps will you take to address these needs?
    • Remember that you have access to virtual counseling services abroad, outlined below.
  • Do you plan on taking mental health prescription medications while traveling? If so, are your medications legal and available at your destination/s? Some medications common in the United States, such as medications for attention deficit disorder like Adderall, Ritalin, and others, may be considered illegal in other countries. See Traveling Abroad with Medicine for details.
  • Do you need to consult with a mental health professional at your destination for continued care or to refill a prescription?
    • Please note that finding on-site in-person mental health care with a provider who speaks English can have lengthy wait times. You may need to purchase additional international insurance in order to coordinate care with a provider in your host destination.
    • If you plan on continuing care with your US-based provider, please ensure that they will be able to work with you while you are based in another country/state.
 
Medications
  • Make a list of any prescription and over-the-counter medications you currently take (e.g., birth control, insulin for diabetes, Claritin for outdoor allergies). Next, indicate which ones you will need during travel and in what amounts. You may need to work with your US insurance to access an extended amount of prescription medications to cover your time away.
  • What are the translations for each medication in your destination language and a local brand name?
  • Are there any legal restrictions?
    • Some medications common in the United States, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Sudafed, codeine, tramadol, and others, may be considered illegal in other countries.
    • For international travelers, the following resources can assist you in determining the legality or availability of your medications abroad:
      • See Traveling Abroad with Medicine for guidance, which includes calling the Embassy or Consulate of each country you will be visiting to determine if your medications can be safely brought into the country.
      • You may also want to check the International Narcotics Control Board, which provides general information about narcotics and controlled substances for countries that have information available for travelers. Please note that it is possible that medication is available in a country, but it may be illegal to bring the medication through customs.
 
Disability Accommodations
  • Do you have any conditions requiring special accommodations during travel (e.g., mobility or physical activity restrictions, learning disabilities, hearing or visual loss, etc.)?
    • If yes, what accommodations or support services do you receive on campus? Will you need these accommodations during travel?
    • Are these accommodations available in your host location?
    • What steps will you take to research your options?
  • Please note that some programs are better suited for students with different abilities, depending on your accommodations and needs. It is crucial to have transparent conversations about your needs and abilities early in the GO planning process with GO staff.  
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Students are responsible for initiating the accommodations process for GO Long and GO Your Way programs with your host university/program provider and forwarding on any required paperwork regarding their registration with Disability Services. GO Short program participants should be in contact with the GO office and Program Directors to discuss needs and availability of accommodations.
 
Resources
  • Student Identity Pages
  • Mental Health Support (Uwill - a service from CAPS)
  • General Student Safety preparation
  • General Emergency Protocols for SU International Travelers
  • SU International Emergency Insurance:
    • For international travel, all GO students are enrolled in EIIA/WorldTravel Protection.
    • Some program providers for GO Long and GO Your Way have additional policies for their program – and some host countries require country-specific insurance registration, typically coordinated by the host-university.
    • If you require ongoing maintenance medical care, meaning that you will need to routinely visit a doctor or coordinate routine care, please contact GO about purchasing additional international insurance.
  • U.S. Health Care Provider:
    • Consult with your US Health Care provider(s) about your upcoming travel.
    • Additionally, you should having their information in one place while traveling in case local seeking healthcare or emergency care needs to consult with your home provider.
      • List the name of your regular healthcare providers (physician, group practice, etc.).
      • List the office phone number and email address of your regular healthcare provider.
      • List the after-hours emergency number for your healthcare provider.
    • Ensure that you have signed off on any HIPPA paperwork so that US medical professionals are able to consult with your emergency contacts/appropriate persons in your support network, should anything happen.
    • Immunizations:
  • Keep a copy of your immunization record in case of a health emergency or for public health entry requirements.
  • Review the list of required and recommended immunizations and prophylaxis for your host location/s. For general recommendations, look up your destination/s on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health site. If you do not have these items, you should arrange for any boosters or new immunizations needed before departure.