Staying Healthy

There are a number of ways that you can prepare yourself for your exchange to ensure that you depart Australia healthy and return the same way.

• Physicals and Check-ups: The process of wellness starts before you go overseas with a visit to your doctor for a general physical and to receive any vaccinations required for the countries you will visit. It is also good idea to have an eye exam and dental check-up before going overseas. The quality of dental and medical care may be different in your country and may also be more expensive than similar care would be in Australia .

• Infectious Diseases, Immunisations and Vaccinations: Once you have decided on which partner institution you would like to attend, you should talk to your doctor about any required immunisations and potential infectious diseases associated with that country . You should also check with the Consulate or Embassy about immunisations required when obtaining a student visa for that country. You do not want to delay your visa application or entry into a country simply because you have not allowed enough time for immunisations.

• Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for an exchange, and make all your necessary health information available to the ECU Study Abroad and Exchange Office so we can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face.

• Prescription Medications: If you require prescription medication while you are on exchange you should:
  • Make sure that the medication is legal in your host country by contacting the consulate or embassy of that country. Many over-the-counter medications that can be freely purchased in Australia are in fact illegal overseas
  • Obtain a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking and that the medicine is for your personal use; and
  • Leave the medicine in its original packaging.

Many Australian prescriptions will not be accepted overseas and it can be difficult for you to obtain a new prescription. Your doctor will be able to advise you if this is the case with your medication. Remember that the cost of purchasing medication in another country could be extremely high and if you suffer from a previously diagnosed condition, your insurance will most likely NOT cover the cost of purchasing medication. You should plan to take enough medication to last you for the duration of your exchange. Remember to include any travel either before or after your exchange when calculating the amount of medication you will need.

If English is not the native language of the country to which you will be traveling, it may also be a good idea to have your doctor's letter translated into the language of that country. This will assist you in getting the medication through customs and in obtaining a refill if necessary. It might also be a good idea for you to take a translated letter from your doctor identifying your medical condition in case of emergency. Your doctor should include THEIR contact details so that any treating physician can contact them directly to obtain your medical history. This letter could be kept with your essential documentation, eg passport.

You should also take your glasses or contact lens prescription and bring an extra pair of glasses if possible.

• First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defence. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight and extra batteries, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, antacid, anti-diarrhoea tablets, anti-malarial medication, extra bottled water, feminine protection, condoms, rubber gloves, etc.

• Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing overseas. A healthy body can help you to fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Also, try to stay fit while abroad, even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine.

• Water Quality: Find out if water is safe to drink in the countries to which you will be travelling. If the water quality is poor then you should only drink bottled water. Make sure that bottled water is sealed when you buy it, don't eat fruit that you can't peel yourself and remember that if the water quality is poor then ice could also be unsafe. It could also be a good idea to use bottled water to brush your teeth.

• Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. If you get diarrhoea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. In the case of dehydration, adding a teaspoon of table salt and a tablespoon of sugar to a bottle of sterilised drinking water can help replace lost electrolytes if there are no specially-formulated alternatives. As with any illness, see a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating. It is also important to remember that it is normal to gain or lose a little weight as your metabolism adjusts to a change in diet.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases by using protection (like condoms or abstinence).

• Walking: Without access to a car or public transportation overseas, you may have to do quite a bit of walking so make sure that you take a good pair of comfortable walking shoes with you. Walking is also one of the best ways to see a city. Just make sure that you break your shoes in before you go.

• Air Travel: When you travel by air, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, stay away from caffeine, eat light, and stretch often to avoid jetlag. Many airlines are now required to show an in-flight video of stretching exercises you can do on the plane in order to avoid the potential formation of blood clots, which can be caused by cabin pressure. A direct flight is usually easier for most travellers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag.

• Feminie Hygiene: Women should take adequate supplies of feminine hygiene products as in some case, these are not available

• Learn how to locate a doctor in your host country: As soon as you arrive you should locate the closest medical facilities and learn how to contact them. If in the event that you require urgent medical care this will ensure that you receive that care quickly