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

	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Spain	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: USA
	Canada: Consular Affairs - Spain	Canada: Consular Affairs - USA
	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - Spain	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 Spain 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 Spain 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 Spain, 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 Spain. While health care is generally good in Spain, 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 Spain 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 Spain and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Spain, 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. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Madrid 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 Spain, and get it translated into Spanish. 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 Madrid or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into Spain. 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 Spain. 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 Spain. 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 Spain, 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 Spain 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 Spain and in the countries to which you plan to travel. Travelers are advised not to travel alone at night for safety reasons. For more information on transportation in Spain, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: The most popular way to travel from city to city in Spain is by bus. First class service is reliable and not expensive. Routes are extensive. Long-distance routes offer newer more comfortable buses. City buses tend to be a little older than those used for long distances. In the larger cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Salamanca, etc.), buses are readily available and dozens of lines cover the whole city. Bus stops and line numbers are clearly posted.
  • Train/Metro: While this form of transportation may be more comfortable than a bus, it unfortunately is much slower. Also, you may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night. In Madrid especially, you will find the metro system to be the most convenient form of transportation to move about the city, although beware of pickpockets.
  • Air: Within Spain, 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): U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Spain. Spanish insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Spain. 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 Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Spain 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.