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Basic Health and Safety
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Important Links to Remember
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In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Ireland 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.
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What to Know about Ireland: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of Ireland and the countries you plan to visit. 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.
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 Illnesses, Diseases, and Inoculations: Find out about the various illnesses that might be more common in Ireland 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 Ireland, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
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Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Ireland. While health care is generally good in Ireland, 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.
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 Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Ireland 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.
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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.
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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 Ireland and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Ireland, 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.
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 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.
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 Prescriptions: Get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Ireland. Some prescriptions may need to be translated into Gaelic if you wish to fill them in Ireland. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses.
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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.
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 Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing for Ireland. 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 Ireland. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression.
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Walking: Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Ireland, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go.
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Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Ireland 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.).
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 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.
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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 Ireland and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in Ireland, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
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Bus: The most popular way to travel from city to city in Ireland is by bus, but getting from one place to another may not be as easy as it looks. Routes, though extensive, wander a bit, and weather and poor road conditions keep buses from traveling very quickly. Also, during the winter, many routes disappear from bus schedules due to poor driving conditions. However, if you’re not inclined to drive in a foreign country, the bus is your best option. Bus Éireann is the state-controlled bus company in the Republic, and Ulsterbus in Northern Ireland, although there are private companies that also run routes around the island. Bus Éireann also offers student discounts through a Travelsave stamp placed on your ISIC card which gives holders fares up to 50% cheaper than equivalent travel by train.
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 Train/Metro: Rail travel, by contrast, is expensive and unfortunately usually slower since routes are sparse and contain notable gaps. There is currently no metro in Dublin, but plans are underway to have a metro up and running by 2007.
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Air: Within Ireland, 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. Ireland’s main airline is Aer Lingus, which offers flights from Ireland’s major cities to major cities in the UK, Europe and the USA.
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Cars (Driving): If you plan to drive while staying in Ireland, remember that as in the UK, drivers drive on the left side of the road so those unfamiliar with this convention should be extra cautious. Renters should also keep in mind that rental companies don’t keep a lot of automatic cars on hand, so if you don’t know how to drive a manual transmission, be sure that someone in your party does. U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Ireland. Insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles, and drivers must carry an “insurance green card” as proof of insurance. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Ireland. Also, take note that roads in Ireland are notoriously narrow – hedged in by stone walls on one side and oncoming traffic mere inches away (in some cases) on the other side. 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 Irish 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 Irish judicial authorities. For more on driving in Ireland, please visit Driving Tips for Ireland.
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 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. This is especially true in Ireland, which is a popular Spring Break party destination for students. Violating drug laws in Ireland 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.
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.
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