Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in India. The process of wellness starts before you go to India with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect yourself from infectious diseases endemic in India and the countries you will visit.

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 India: Preparation for your time in India 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 India: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to India really is, view the health and safety reports on India 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 India. 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 India and the United States.

	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: India	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: USA
	Canada: Consular Affairs - India	Canada: Consular Affairs - USA
	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - India	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 India and the other countries to which you may be traveling.

• Infectious Diseases and Inoculations: Find out about the infectious diseases endemic in India and countries to which you will be traveling, and 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 diseases prevalent in India, 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 India. The quality of dental and medical care may be different in India and/or more expensive than similar care would be in the United States.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is safe to drink in regions of India and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid diarrhea and other bacteria, purify unsafe 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: 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 India and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of India, 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.
• Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to India, and get it translated into Hindi. 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 India or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into India. 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 India. 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 India. 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 India, 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 India 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 India and in the countries to which you plan to travel. The U.S. Department of State warns Americans traveling in India not to do so alone – political tensions and terrorist attacks have made it a dangerous place for any traveler. In addition, due to the exchange rate and the relative wealth of American travelers to India, tourists are warned not to flaunt or make obvious the money they may be carrying as it will make them a target for petty to violent crimes. For more information on transportation in India, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: Although a relatively cheap way to travel, overcrowded, noisy and uncomfortable buses may not be the best way to get to your destination. Many cities and regions offer private buses, which generally are nicer and more comfortable. When looking to buy a bus ticket, the description of the bus (i.e. “ordinary” vs. “deluxe” or “luxury”) should give you a clue to the type of ride you’re likely to get. An “ordinary” bus will unpleasantly remind you of your grade school days – hard, bench like seats with upright backs. “Luxury” buses will more likely have padding, separated seating and be more comfortable – yet the type of ride you will get may vary greatly from company to company. You should avoid using the bus in an urban area to sight-see as they will inevitably be overcrowded and extremely uncomfortable. Be particularly cautious of pick-pocketers in various forms.
  • Train/Metro: The trains in India are extensive, surprisingly pleasant, “chaotically controlled” and connect the most distant parts of India, enabling the sightseer to gain access to even remote areas. If traveling by train, you will use Indian Railways, the national state-owned company of India. There are only four cities with metro systems: New Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. Until recently, Calcutta (or Kolkata to locals) was the only city to have an underground subway system. In other cities the rail systems are above ground, and are considered suburban or city-wide rail networks.
  • Air: India has its own national airline, Indian Airlines, which flies internationally and domestically. However, due to a recent liberalization of the airways, a number of private airlines have begun popping up. They include: Damania, Jet Airways, Sahara, Archana Airways and Skyline NEPC. Furthermore, international airports are available at New Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai; and depending on the location of your program, you will either land or transfer at one of these airports. If you wish to fly domestically, there is a 10% tax levied on all passengers traveling within the country, though this will not be applied if paying in foreign currency.
  • Bicycles: Travel by bicycle has been on a steady rise since the ‘60s (for inspiration, you might want to check out Dervla Murphy's Full Tilt) and bicycles are not only common, but popular. You should not find it difficult to bring your own bicycle to India, though parts and repairs to your model might be difficult to obtain. If you’re interested in doing a cross-country trek after your program, bicycle shops abound and you will find that most towns and villages will have some sort of repair or retail shop if you need parts. Within cities, it is fairly common to see a close relative to the bike – bicycle rickshaws – but you may want to avoid main thoroughfares, especially since drivers in India can be quite unpredictable.
  • Taxis: Taxis and chauffeured-driven cars are readily available in most cities. Depending on your location, in the country and within the city, you might be able to find a taxi driver who speaks English well enough to get you to your destination. The usual custom is to agree on a fare before getting into the cab, although by law taxi drivers are supposed to use a meter. You may also find it to be an “adventure” to take one of India’s famed “auto-rickshaws,” or motorized scooters with seats attached to the back. The ride will be a bit wild and the drivers less predictable, but they tend to be more maneuverable than cars and, if you get an honest driver, will get you to your destination quicker. Avoid rickshaw drivers that have followed you or that hang around outside expensive locations as they may only be looking to prey on unsuspecting tourists.
  • Cars (Driving): We heavily recommend not driving yourself while in India. Unpredictable drivers, a general disregard for rules of the road, and an undisciplined driving population (particularly in the cities) will make your road trip more hellish than enjoyable. Accident rates are high, and being unfamiliar with the terrain and driving culture will make your trip exponentially more dangerous. Instead, it is quite common for visitors to rent a chauffeured-driven car. On long distances, the driver usually sleeps in the car, and most rental places will offer this right off the bat. Full coverage insurance is compulsory when driving in India. 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 Indian 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 Indian 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.
• 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 India 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.