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 the United Kingdom. The process of wellness starts before you go to the United Kingdom with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect yourself from infectious diseases endemic in the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom: Preparation for your time in the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to the United Kingdom really is, view the health and safety reports on the United Kingdom from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links (on the left) to the Australian and Canadian governments’ country advisories on the United Kingdom. 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 the United Kingdom and the United States.

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

• Infectious Diseases and Inoculations:Resources section of this Handbook.
• Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to the UK. The quality of dental and medical care may be different in the UK and/or more expensive than similar care would be in the United States.
• Can You Drink the Water?: The UK is a First World country, and has many of the same sanitation and purification standards as the United States, so drinking water from the tap is generally safe – if not very tasty. However, you may still want to buy purified water to avoid the possibility of diarrhea and other bacteria. 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. In the UK, kebab shops and jacket potato stands are popular eateries for many British residents, but your stomach may not tolerate the same food as well - in addition, the sanitation and food preparation procedures in these shops are not guaranteed. 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. Also remember that while Mad Cow Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease amongst British livestock is now mostly under control, it may still be dangerous to eat British beef, pork and lamb.
• 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 United Kingdom and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of the UK, 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 London for a list of available medical facilities.
• Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to the United Kingdom. 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 London or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into the United Kingdom. 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 the United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom. 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 the United Kingdom, 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 the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom and in the countries to which you plan to travel. Travelers are advised not to travel alone at night, especially in urban areas, for safety reasons. For more information on transportation in the United Kingdom, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: Routes are extensive. Long-distance routes offer newer more comfortable buses. and cover all regions; and since it is the cheapest way to travel (though rather tedious), it is often a very popular choice for other students and travelers. However, since it is so slow, you may prefer to take the train. National Express services all of Wales, Scotland, and England and has the most extensive bus (called a “coach”) network in the UK. If you can’t find service to a particular location on these buses, local service should be able to take you to your desired destination.
  • Train/Metro: Since National Rail, Britain’s national railway service, offers several different types of discount “railcards,” it is often a very popular form of transportation, particularly for those more concerned about time restrictions or sight-seeing than saving money. Travel by train is usually much faster than by bus, although since the British government deregulated the rail industry under Margaret Thatcher, service is split between several regional companies. Poor coordination between the companies has resulted in undependable departure and arrival times, as well as sporadically closed lines and strikes, though public outcry at the debacle has prompted more stringent government regulation of these companies. You may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night, particularly in more urban areas. In London especially, you will find the “tube” to be the most convenient form of transportation to move about the city, although beware of pickpockets and traveling alone to and from tube stops, especially in dangerous parts of the city.
  • Air: Within the UK, air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. Especially if road travel is unsafe due to poor road conditions, and if train travel is too slow for your needs, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option.
  • Cars (Driving): Although renting a car while studying in the UK can be a great way to see access the famous British countryside, it can also be a very stressful and dangerous way to travel. The British drive on the left side of the road, which creates a completely different driving environment, so if you feel hesitant at all about driving, you should consider taking another form of transportation. U.S. driver's licenses are valid in the UK for up to 12 months. After that, you will be considered a resident and will have to take the local driving test. Insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in the UK – to make it easier, most rental places will arrange this beforehand. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be detained by British 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 British 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, especially since the legal drinking age in the UK is 18 and younger students are tempted to take advantage of their sudden access to alcohol. Violating drug laws in the United Kingdom 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.