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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 the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands, 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 the Netherlands. While health care is generally good in the Netherlands, 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 the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of the Netherlands, 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 the Netherlands. Some prescriptions may need to be translated into German if you wish to fill them in the Netherlands. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses. For more information on German pharmacies, please see the Resources section of this Handbook.
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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 the Netherlands. 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 the Netherlands. 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 the Netherlands, 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 the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands and in the countries to which you plan to travel.
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Bus: One popular way to travel from city to city in the Netherlands is by bus. First class service is reliable and not expensive. Routes are extensive, and long-distance routes offer newer more comfortable buses. Traveling by bus is a great way to see the countryside, especially if you don't have to worry about time - the Netherlands is big country!
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 Train/Metro: According to the U.S. Department of State, "Travelers should also note that railroad crossings are differently marked in the Netherlands than in the U.S. There have been several accidents involving Americans in recent years at railroad crossings. In addition to the standard crossbuck (X-shaped) sign, railroad crossings are often marked by signal lights. Signal lights flash only when a train is approaching. Regardless of the color of the light, a flashing light at a railroad crossing means that a train is approaching and that all vehicles should stop." However, trains are a wonderful way to get around in the Netherlands because they are efficient, clean, and reasonable. Eastern and western train routes have merged, although fares tend to be lower in eastern the Netherlands. IC (Intercity) trains travel every hour between cities, and travel at high speeds. The ICE (Intercity Express) trains will get you to your destination even faster. You may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night. In Berlin especially, you will find the metro system (called the U-Bahn) to be the most convenient form of transportation to move about the city, although beware of pickpockets.
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Air: Within the Netherlands, air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. For the most part, the Netherlands's roads are in excellent condition. However, if train travel is too slow for your needs, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option. The official airline of the Netherlands is called "Lufthansa". There are also a number of smaller, (generally) inexpensive carriers.
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Cars (Driving): U.S. driver's licenses are valid in the Netherlands for up to six months. South German insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in the Netherlands. 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 German 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 German judicial authorities. According to the U.S. Department of State, "Road conditions in general are excellent, although caution should be exercised while traveling on older roads in eastern the Netherlands. The high speed permitted on the German autobahn, weather, and unfamiliar road markings can pose significant hazards, and driver error is a leading cause of accidents involving American motorists in the Netherlands. Rules on right-of-way differ significantly from the U.S. Notice should be taken that it is illegal in the Netherlands to pass vehicles from the right and that the threshold for determining whether a person has been driving under the influence of alcohol is lower than in some U.S. states."
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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 the Netherlands, which is famous for its beer culture. Violating drug laws in the Netherlands 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.
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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.
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