Health and Safety
Important Announcement:
September 2, 2009
Dear Study Abroad Students,
LMU is concerned about the health and safety of our students. We would like to share some important information about the H1N1 swine flu. Whether you are already abroad, enrolled in a future program, or currently considering a study abroad experience, it is important that you follow all the guidelines of the institution or provider you are attending who knows best the host country’s situation.
We are all part of the global community and each individual is responsible for making the decision to study abroad.
The LMU study abroad programs will proceed as scheduled for the fall semester. If you have any questions about a LMU-sponsored international program, please contact the LMU Study Abroad office at 310-338-1973.
Loyola Marymount University and the Study Abroad Office will continue to follow global, national and local health advisories issued through the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
We urge you to follow and access LMU Community Take Precautions to Prevent Swine Flu Outbreak Web-site:
http://www.lmu.edu/Page61034.aspx
Global Resources
SOS International Medical Assistance Web site:
http://www.internationalsos.com
Center for Disease Control Web site:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/outbreak-notice/novel-h1n1-flu-global-situation.aspx
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Web site:
http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/Pages/Influenza_A(H1N1)_Outbreak.aspx
German Ministry of Health Web site: (GERMAN)
http://www.bmg.bund.de/
Italy Ministry of Health Web site: (ITALIAN)
http://www.ministerosalute.it/dettaglio/principaleFocusNuovo.jsp?id=13&area=influenzaA&colore=2
Spain’s Health Ministry (SPANISH)
http://www.msc.es/
United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth Office Web site:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu
For more detailed H1N1 and vaccine information please visit:
One Stop Access to U.S. Government H1N1, avian and pandemic flu information Web site:
http://www.flu.gov/
Prevention Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/
Los Angeles Department of Public Health Web site:
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/
Center for Disease Control Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
World Health Organization Web site:
http://www.who.int/en/
Please visit the American Psychological Association Web site for information on managing anxiety about H1N1 Flu:
http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=194
Please visit the Student Health Center Web page for local medical information:
http://www.lmu.edu/health
Monica Pagano, PhD
Study Abroad Director
Loyola Marymount University
General Health and Safety Abroad
Study-abroad programs offer an exciting opportunity for learning and cultural exchange. With the number of students studying abroad expected to increase, as well as expand geographically, it is very important for students to be prepared to negotiate cultures and environments that may differ vastly from their own. Moreover, some cultural/environmental differences abroad may contribute to an increased risk of illness or injury, such as climate extremes, the presence of certain insect vectors, inadequate sanitation, or poorly lit roads. This risk is especially so, if travel is to developing regions of the world and for a period of several weeks or months.
LMU STUDY ABROAD/OVERSEAS SAFETY POLICY
LMU is committed to the promotion of study abroad programs as a component of the whole person and development of cultural awareness of our students. Studying in another country is a valuable means of personal development and growth. We make every attempt to assess the safety of our students who study abroad. To that end, students, parents, and program faculty and staff should be aware of both normal and customary safety precautions as well as those specific concerns relating to the location of the program.
For additional LMU Health and Saftey information visit:
Student Health Services at: http://www.lmu.edu/studentlife/healthservices.htm
LMU Student Psychological Services at: http://www.lmu.edu/studentlife/Student_Psychological_Services.htm
Before you go…
· Consider your preparedness for life in another country
· Assess your physical and mental health
· See your heath care practitioners
· Know the demands and resources of the program
· Know your insurance
When you study abroad, you embark on one of the greatest adventures of your life. With a little forethought and planning, you can help ensure that your study abroad experience will deliver the adventure and education that you want. Be prepared though! Life abroad is different than at home – that’s one of the reasons you are going.
Travel and living in foreign cultures can be demanding emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Some people believe that travel to other countries will allow them to leave their worries behind and start with a clean slate. We believe firmly that study abroad is a transformative experience. But we also know from our own experience that you do not leave your self behind when you go abroad. You should ask yourself whether you are ready for the emotional work involved in an extended trip to another country.
Do not expect to solve problems or deal with personal issues by leaving them behind. If you have any doubts about this, or if you have had emotional or psychological problems, it is very important to consult with a mental health professional and the Study Abroad staff before studying abroad to discuss the potential stress of life overseas. Loyola Marymount University does not employ health care professionals at our sites abroad and cannot guarantee access to the level of mental health treatment you expect at home.
Similarly, if you suffer from a chronic physical condition, you should consult with your physician before making the decision to study abroad. We cannot guarantee access to the same kind of medical care or medications you are used to at home. Please make the program staff aware of any medical issues or disabilities, so that we may make necessary arrangements and advise you regarding conditions and resources abroad.
In addition, check your health care insurance policy, whether it is provided by your school or by your parents, to see what coverage it provides while you are outside the United States. In most cases you will be expected to pay in cash for any medical services provided while abroad and seek reimbursement later from your insurance company.
Few events can negatively impact the travel experience more than becoming sick or being injured while far away from home. To reduce health risks while studying abroad, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following general guidelines for students:
Be sure to check with a healthcare provider to make sure you are up to date with all routine vaccinations (i.e., measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and polio). Diseases such as measles and mumps remain common in many parts of the world, including some developed countries.
See a healthcare provider or a travel medicine specialist, ideally 4-6 weeks before travel, to get any additional vaccinations, medications, or information you may need to stay healthy. If it is less than 4 weeks before travel, a healthcare provider should still be consulted, as there may be some vaccinations, medications, or prevention information that could be beneficial to you. To locate a travel medicine specialist, see http://www.cdc.gov/travel/travel_clinics.htm.
Students with complicated travel itineraries (e.g., travel to rural areas of developing countries) or who have medical problems that will need to be managed while abroad are especially advised to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in travel medicine.
Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travelto educate yourself about any disease risks and preventive measures for the countries where you plan to study. Students visiting developing countries are at greater risk for illness or injury than those who travel to developed countries (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Western Europe), where the health risks are compatible to those found in the United States.
Prepare a travel health kit that includes an ample supply of your prescribed medications in their original containers; an anti-diarrheal medication; alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol); an antibiotic for self-treatment of most causes of acute bacterial illness; a thermometer; insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET if you plan to study in or visit a tropical or subtropical area; the name and telephone number of your primary healthcare provider; and a copy of your vaccination record.
Familiarize yourself with basic first aid so you can self-treat minor injuries should they occur. Learn how to swim if you are inexperienced and plan to participate in recreational water activities while abroad.
Consider a health insurance plan or additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick or injured, if your plan does not already offer this service. Information about medical evacuation services is provided on the U.S. Department of State web page, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
Identify in-country healthcare resources in advance of your trip in case of a medical emergency. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing medical condition. The U.S. Department of State has a List of Doctors/Hospitals Abroad. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate at your travel destination may also be able to assist in locating these resources. Several private travel medicine organizations provide assistance in locating medical care abroad; see Seeking Health Care Abroad in Health Information for International Travel.
Register with the State Department’s travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/), so the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country you will be visiting is aware of your whereabouts in case of an emergency that makes it necessary for a consular officer to contact you. This registration is especially important if you plan to stay abroad for longer than 1 month or will be visiting a country that has an unstable political climate or that undergoes a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.
Studying abroad can be a fun and safe experience but it is important to realize that you are subject to the laws and customs of another country. Here are some tips prepared by the Office of Overseas Services to help keep you prepared and safe. (http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/studying_1238.html)
· Although most trips abroad are trouble free, being prepared will go a long way to avoiding the possibility of serious trouble.
· Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel.
· Remember: Reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or worse! To have a safe trip, avoid risky behavior and plan ahead.
Preparing for Your Trip Abroad
Apply early for your passport and, if necessary, any visas: Passports are required to enter and/or depart most countries around the world. Apply for a passport as soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens to obtain visas before entering. Most countries require visitors who are planning to study or work abroad to obtain visas before entering. Check with the embassy of the foreign country that you are planning to visit for up-to-date visa and other entry requirements. (Passport and visa information is available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.)
Learn about the countries that you plan to visit. Before departing, take the time to do some research about the people and their culture, and any problems that the country is experiencing that may affect your travel plans. The Department of State publishes Background Notes on about 170 countries. These brief, factual pamphlets contain information on each country''s culture, history, geography, economy, government, and current political situation. Background Notes are available at www.state.gov.
Read the Consular Information Sheet. Consular Information Sheets provide up-to-date travel information on any country in the world that you plan to visit. They cover topics such as entry regulations, the crime and security situation, drug penalties, road conditions, and the location of the U.S. embassy, consulates, and consular agencies.
Check for Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. Travel Warnings recommend U.S. citizens defer travel to a country because of dangerous conditions. Public Announcements provide fast-breaking information about relatively short-term conditions that may pose risks to the security of travelers.
Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts may not be released without your express authorization. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States. (U.S. embassy and consulate locations can be found in the country''s Consular Information Sheet.) If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 202-647-5225. This office will contact the embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling and pass a message from your family to you. Remember consular officers cannot cash checks, lend money or serve as your attorney. They can, however, if the need arises, assist you in obtaining emergency funds from your family, help you find an attorney, help you find medical assistance, and replace your lost or stolen passport.
While You’re Gone…
To Reduce your Risk of Illness
In developing areas, boil your water or drink only bottled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks from cans or bottles with intact seals. Do not drink tap water or fountain drinks or add ice to beverages. Avoid eating salads, fresh vegetables and fruits you cannot peel yourself, and unpasteurized dairy products.
Eat only food that has been fully cooked and served hot, and avoid food from street vendors. If living with a host family, discuss any food allergies or dietary preferences in advance.
Do not touch animals, including domestic pets, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (i.e., rabies and plague). If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, get medical attention right away, and clean the wound well with large amounts of soap and water and a povidone-iodine solution, such as Betadine®, if available.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before meals and after going to the bathroom. If soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol) to clean your hands. Cleaning your hands often with soap and water removes potentially infectious material from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission.
If visiting an area which has risk of malaria, use insect repellent and a mosquito net for sleeping, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors between dusk and dawn, and make sure to take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after your trip, as directed.
In areas with avian influenza (bird flu), avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept. For more information, see the Outbreak Notice: Guidelines and Recommendations, Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.
Be aware that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, are among the most common infections worldwide. The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual activity or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and who you know is uninfected. The proper, consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms when engaging in sexual activity can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.
General Safety in Public Places
You will soon be entering a city and culture that are probably new and unfamiliar to you. Because of this, you may miss some of the signals that a local person would take into consideration. A little commonsense can go a long way.
Do not leave your bags or belongings unattended at any time. Security staff in airports or train stations are instructed to remove or destroy any unattended luggage. Do not agree to carry or look after packages or suitcases for anyone. Make sure no one has placed anything in your luggage.
When you travel, use a money belt or waist pouch to carry your passport, credit cards, and traveler’s checks. Wear the pouch under your clothes. Keep a separate record or your traveler’s checks and a photo copy of your passport in another part of your belongings so that you will have a record if they are lost or stolen.
Be as inconspicuous in dress and demeanor as possible. Downplay those elements of your appearance and manner that broadcast that you are American. Here are some “tip-offs” to avoid if you don’t want to be pegged quickly as an American:
Wearing U.S. college or university insignia clothing or heavily patriotic American clothing
Wearing baseball caps or U.S. sports teams shirts or jackets
Talking loudly with a group of friends. Try to speak the local language in public, even with other Americans. Even if you have a heavy accent you will not attract as much attention, particularly if you take a cue from the locals and speak quietly.
Use the buddy (or in the evening, small group) system, especially in the first few weeks of your stay. Walking with someone else helps deflect approaches by would-be harassers.
Be careful how late you come home at night. Try to get home while public transportation is still running or plan on taking a taxi.
Be careful to observe traffic lights. Stay on sidewalks away from the curb, and walk facing oncoming traffic whenever possible. Drivers in large cities can be aggressive, and often erratic. Never assume a care will stop for you or steer out of your way. For those of you in countries where drivers drive on the left-hand side of the road, you will have to make an extra effort to check before crossing the street.
Local Transportation and Travel
While abroad, you should remember that public transportation is the way the great majority of local residents get around their town and country, so it should be a part of your experience as well. For that reason, and for reasons of economy, we strongly discourage students from renting automobiles or other motorized vehicles while abroad.
If someone leaves a package unattended on a seat near you in any crowded public place (i.e. airports, train stations, metro stations, or on a bus or other public transportation), notify the driver or other authority and get away from it as quickly as possible.
Be careful with whom you ride in a car.
General Travel during Weekends and Breaks
Do not travel alone. Always try to travel with at least one other person.
Be careful who you allow to join your group. Make sure that anyone who joins your group is known well by someone you know.
Update yourself on your destination and consider postponing visits to a place if there have been any problems there recently. It is better to be safe than sorry. Knowledge of current events is important. Read the paper and watch the news to stay informed. You can access travel advisories on the U.S. Department of State’s website: http://travel.state.gov.
Have sufficient funds or a credit card on hand to purchase emergency items, such as a train or airline tickets, or to fund hospital stays.
In Times of Political Conflict
Keep abreast of the current political situation by listening daily to the television or radio, and keep reading the newspaper. In the event of an emergency, advisories may be made to the general public through the media. In case of an emergency, remain in contact with the on-site staff or the American Consulate nearest you.
When in large cities or other popular tourist destinations, avoid or spend as little time as possible in potential target areas for terrorist activities, especially places frequented by American citizens: bars, discos, U.S. fast food restaurants, branches of American banks, American churches, and American consulates and embassies.
Keep away from political demonstrations, which can easily result in clashes between demonstrators and authorities, particularly those authorities seen as aligned with the United States. If you see a situation developing, resist your curiosity. Walk the other way. Go home and watch it on television.
Use Common Sense
A general rule of thumb is to use common sense and be as cautious as you would in any large city in the United States. Be aware of your surroundings. If you want to visit a new neighborhood, try to go during the day first. Look at a map before you leave, and note the nearest metro stops and bus/trolley routes. You may walk at your own pace, but look alert and purposeful. If you find yourself in uncomfortable surroundings, act as if you know what you are doing and where you are going, and move to a place where you are comfortable.
Going Out of Town?
Keep the program director(s) informed of your whereabouts. You must let the director(s) and/or your host family or roommate know of any traveling you plan to do. This is so we can contact you in case of emergency.
Advice for Women
What may be appropriate of friendly behavior at home may bring you unwanted, even dangerous, attention in other cultures. Try not to take offense of whistles and/or other gestures, regardless of if they are invitations or insults. Realize that these gestures may be as much a part of the culture as its food, history, and language, but if your intuition tells you a situation is dangerous, then act as if it is, and try to avoid conflict. Be extra careful with giving your trust. This applies generally, but is especially important when traveling alone.
For Your Safety
Wear your safety belt, and follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed. Use helmets when riding bicycles and motorcycles. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of preventable deaths in travelers.
Be aware of the cultural impact of being involved in or causing an accident that includes injury to the local population. In unfamiliar or foreign environments, utilize a local driver. It is important to note the legal age for driving varies by country.
Swim in well–maintained, chlorinated pools, and only if you are an experienced swimmer. Drowning is also a leading cause of death in travelers.
If visiting an area which has risk of water-borne infections (i.e., schistosomiasis), do not swim in lakes or streams or other fresh bodies of water.
To prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, avoid receiving tattoos, body piercings, or injections.
Travel Information and Emergency Contact
The State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs – provides travel announcements and warnings for countries and regions around the world, along with a range of services to Americans living and traveling overseas. (http://travel.state.gov)
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) – provides travel tips, specific country advice, and many of the same types of services to British subjects that the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs offers to U.S. citizens. (www.fco.gov.uk)
Center for Disease Control – provides information on health conditions, required inoculations, and other valuable information for travelers. (www.cdc.gov)
Parents and students may also wish to monitor news-based web sites. Two reliable sources of up-to-date information are: The New York Times and Reuters.
Loyola Marymount University Study Abroad staff members are always happy to talk to parents and students about health, safety, and security overseas. Please feel free to contact us at (310) 338-1973
After your return…
On return from study abroad, if you are not feeling well or have been injured, get medical attention, including psychological support and counseling, if necessary.
It is especially important for you to get health care if you have a fever, rash, cough or difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms.
If you are returning from malaria risk areas and become sick with a fever or flu-like illness, for up to 1 year after your return, get immediate medical attention and be sure to tell the doctor or healthcare provider your travel history.