Study Abroad Handbook

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Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Greece 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 Greece: Preparation for your time in Greece 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 are advised to be alert to their surroundings, and be particularly aware of any health and safety advisories for the areas in which they will be studying.

Getting a Balanced Perspective on Health and Safety in Greece: In order to gain a more objective perspective on how safe travel to Greece is, view the health and safety reports on Greece from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links (on the left) to the Australian, Canadian and British governments’ country advisories on Greece. 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 Greece and the United States.

	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Greece	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: USA
	Canada: Consular Affairs - Greece	Canada: Consular Affairs - USA
	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - Greece	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 Greece 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 Greece 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 Greece, 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 Greece. While health care is generally good in Greece, the quality of dental and medical care might be different in the various countries or regions you may visit. Also, care could possibly be more expensive than in the United States, or your health insurance may not cover your medical care abroad as well as in the U.S.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Greece and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid risk, many travelers drink bottled water. Remember that ice can also be unsafe, as well as the water you use to brush your teeth.
• Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. 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 Greece and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Greece, 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 in the U.S. and abroad 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. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Medical facilities, are adequate, and some, particularly the private clinics and hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki, are quite good…However, English is not as widely spoken as might be expected. Public medical clinics, especially on the islands, may lack resources; care there is often inadequate for American standards and often, little English is spoken. Many patients, Greeks and visitors alike, are transferred from the provinces and islands to Athens hospitals for more sophisticated care.”
• Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Greece, and get it translated into Greek. 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 Athens or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into Greece. 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 Greece. 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 Greece. 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 Greece, 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 Greece 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 Greece and in the countries to which you plan to travel. Labor strikes in the transportation sector (including public buses, the national airline, and taxis) are common, though of short duration. Travelers should confirm their flight reservations before arriving at the airport. For more information on transportation in Greece, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: Bus service is available throughout Greece, including more limited service to smaller towns. Expect buses – which are run by KTEL (Kratikó Tamío Ellinikón Leoforíon), the national syndicate – to be strictly prompt and on-schedule.
  • Train/Metro: Athens opened its first complete metro system in 2000, and offers fairly extensive service around the city. Users of the systems may find it interesting to look at the numerous artifacts and archeological objects on display in the Syntagma Square station that were discovered during construction. Greece’s railway network is run by OSE (Organismós Sidherodhrómon Elládhos) and provides only mainland service. Many changes and updates are being made to Greece’s metro and train lines to ensure compliance with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) strict standards. Though they are not a serious menace, be aware of pickpockets who tend to loiter around train stations and target the unaware traveler.
  • Air: Athens International Airport, located north of the city center, has been newly renovated and services both international and domestic flights. In addition, it is common for travelers to fly to the various islands, so it should be relatively easy to find a flight going your direction. However, be advised that, according to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that the Greek Government’s civil aviation authority is not in compliance with international safety standards for oversight of Greek air carrier operations. Be sure to check with the U.S. FAA for the most current status.
  • Boat: Since much of Greece consists of islands, both large and small, you may very likely travel by boat during your study abroad term. As with most locales, the price and quality of boats available will vary widely. Do research on the types of boat transportation available before departing for Greece, and be sure to check on the safety records of the companies and weather patterns of routes you are likely to take. Though infrequent, there have been a couple of serious accidents in Greek waters due to companies running old and unsafe craft, and ignoring dangerous weather conditions. If you are averse to boat travel, air travel to most Greek islands is a common alternative.
  • Cars (Driving): Although driving in Greece poses no specific dangers, driving in a foreign country governed by unfamiliar laws is always a dangerous undertaking. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Visitors to Greece must be prepared to drive defensively. Drivers and pedestrians alike should exercise extreme caution when operating motor vehicles or when walking along roadways. Heavy traffic and poor highways pose hazards, especially at night. Extreme care is warranted in operating a motorbike…The majority of U.S. citizen traffic casualties in Greece have involved motorbikes, and Greece leads the European Union in motorcycle deaths.”
    
    If you do decide to drive, valid U.S. Driver’s License and an International Driving License is required to operate all vehicles, including rental vehicles. We strongly recommend that you obtain full coverage insurance when doing any driving in Greece. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be arrested and detained by Greek authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the Greek judicial authorities.
    
    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. In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Athens provides links for further information on driving in Greece.
• 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 Greece 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.

GlobalScholar.us: Go to Course 1, Module 9, Task 1 – “Best Practices for Health and Safety” about staying healthy while abroad.

AllAbroad.us – Health: Mentors address any health concerns that students may have while overseas.