Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Belgium and while traveling to other countries. The process of wellness starts before you go abroad with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect you from various illnesses before traveling. You will also learn some tips about food and water safety.

Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time Abroad: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of all the countries where you plan to study and travel. This includes reading about the cultural and political climate of those countries, as well as learning about how others view people from your country, race, ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time in Belgium: Preparation for your time in Belgium should include an understanding of the current political, cultural and religious events of the country as well as the region, and an awareness of the social climate. Students can expect to face similar issues of health and safety as those found in the United States, and are advised to be alert to their surroundings.

Getting a Balanced Perspective on Health and Safety in Belgium: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to Belgium really is, view the health and safety reports on Belgium from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links (on the left) to the Canadian and British governments’ country advisories on Belgium. On the right side of the table are links to those same governments’ perspectives on safety in the United States, which you can use to compare health and safety issues in Belgium and the United States.

	Canada: Consular Affairs - Belgium	Canada: Consular Affairs - USA
	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - Belgium	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - USA

Top Ten List of Health and Safety Issues: Visit this page to see the top ten health and safety issues you should be aware of before you depart for Belgium and the other countries to which you may be traveling.

• Illnesses, Diseases, and Inoculations: Find out about the various illnesses that might be more common in Belgium or the regions and countries to which you will be traveling. Get the appropriate shots and pills, and take the appropriate medications with you if your doctor thinks it's necessary. Find out about any potential side-effects of shots and pills that you may take. For more information on illnesses that may be prevalent in Belgium, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
• Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Belgium. The quality of dental and medical care might be different in the various countries or regions you may visit. Also, they could possibly be more expensive than similar care in the United States.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Belgium and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid diarrhea and other bacteria, purify questionable water before you drink it. Make sure water bottles come sealed when you buy them. Remember that ice can also be unsafe, as well as the water you use to brush your teeth.
• Food Safety: If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating.
• Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your study abroad program sponsor, and the local laws and customs of Belgium and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Belgium, but also obey the codes of conduct required of program participants. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.
• Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for a study abroad program, and make all your necessary health information available to your program's administrators so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Study abroad may include both physical and mental challenges for students, so make sure you establish a support network of program administrators, family and friends who can help you. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Belgium for a list of available medical facilities and English-speaking doctors.
• Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Belgium. However, if you can, take a supply large enough to cover your stay while abroad, just in case you can’t fill your prescription while abroad. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Belgium or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into Belgium. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses.
• First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea 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 for Belgium. A healthy body can help you fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine, try to stay fit while in Belgium. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression. Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Belgium, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Belgium well informed of your whereabouts and activities, and provide these people with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveler's checks, and prescriptions, etc.).
• 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 travelers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag.
• Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students abroad. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are in Belgium and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in Belgium, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: You can expect the quality of bus transportation to be similar to that found in the United States. Click here for more information.
  • Train/Metro: As a general precaution, you may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night. Train services are available for travel to most places, and is recommended for city to city travel. A metro or subway system can only be found in Brussels.
  • Air: Air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. If train travel is too slow for your needs, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option.
  • Cars (Driving): An American driver's license is sufficient for a stay under 90 days. If you are staying longer you will need to obtain an international driver's license as well. Like Americans, Belgians drive on the right.
    
    For more health and safety information about driving abroad, the Association for Safe International Road Travel offers road travel reports, seasonal hazards, safety tips and common driver behaviors for travel abroad.
• Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many study abroad accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad. Violating drug laws in Belgium may result in very serious consequences. In some countries you may visit, being found guilty of violating drug laws can result in consequences as serious as death.
• Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your U.S. college or university, as well as your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.