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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 United States. The process of wellness starts before you go to the United States with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get vaccinations that are required in the U.S. before you go.
General Travel Safety
Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time in the U.S.: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of the United States and all the countries where you plan to 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.
Travel Safety in the United States
Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time in the United States: Preparation for your time in the United States 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.
 Knowing as much about your country’s history could be a great advantage when making a good impression while in the United States. If your country has been perceived negatively by the U.S. in the past, now is your chance to be an ambassador and change those perceptions where you will be living. Remember, that one person is enough to change the view of others. Do not be afraid to explain things about your culture and country that other people may not be aware of.
Getting a Balanced Perspective on Health and Safety in the United States: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to the United States really is, view the health and safety reports on the United States from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links to the Australian, Canadian and British governments’ country advisories on the United States. You can use these links to compare health and safety issues in the United States to those of your home country.
à Include table about the country’s advisories on the U.S.
Assessing Safety in the United States |
Top Ten List of Health and Safety Issues:
10. Be Informed About the City, State and Safety Issues in the U.S.
Orientation materials and country guides can help you better understand the United States and cities where you will be studying and traveling. Check out the U.S. State Department and Center for Disease Control (CDC) information. Know where you’re going and what to do and not do once you get there.
9. Avoid High-Risk Activities
Certain activities like: bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, shark diving adventures, etc. can put you into danger. If you choose to do so, make sure that you have adequate support and lots of insurance.
8. Be Prepared to Respond to Emergencies
The more prepared you are for emergencies the better able you will be to respond. Where will you go to leave the country? What will you do if you are a victim of a crime or are injured? What if someone else needs help?
7. Avoid Crime and Violence, Including Sexual Harassment and Assault
Be aware of the safe and unsafe areas where you are living and traveling. Use the safety skills from your home country while in the U.S.: don’t travel or go out alone (buddy system), don’t go into bad neighborhoods, be more careful at night, etc. Be aware of your country’s stereotypes; understand local verbal and non-verbal communication.
6. Make Sure Your Mode of Transportation is Safe
Whether you are arranging your own transportation or you are being led by your college/university’s administrators, look closely at what the safest type of transportation is for where you’re going, what routes you’re taking, and at what time you’re traveling.
5. The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs Can Hurt You
Although alcohol may be legal at a younger age in your country, its use and abuse is many times tied to being a victim of crime, violence, accident and injury. Drug use in the U.S. can result in severe consequences, such as arrest and jail time.
4. Be Able to Communicate at All Times
Make sure you communicate with home regularly and that your family, friends and school administrators know the best way to reach you.
3. Take Care of Your Physical, Dental and Mental Health
Prior to going to the United States, get a physical, complete foreseeable dental work, and consider your psychological stability. Be prepared for the physical and mental challenges once in the U.S. After your arrival, find suitable care/support facilities.
2. Have Adequate Insurance and 24 Hour Emergency Assistance
Check with your institution to see what your insurance covers. You may want to supplement the plan with more coverage such as major medical, emergency assistance, repatriation of remains, and travel insurance.
1. Choose a Quality University
You need to carefully pick a quality study university in terms of both academics and student services. Along with costs and courses, find out about the safety problems faced by students in the past.
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 Infectious Diseases and Inoculations: The incidence of infectious diseases in the United States is rare; however, diseases can occasionally occur. Rabies from rodents and bats can be common, especially in less urban areas. In general, you should find out about the infectious diseases endemic in the region in which you will be living, 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 the United States, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
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Women's Health : It is important for women to be able to have access to healthcare providers specializing in women’s health. Women’s clinics are included in most on-campus health services as well as in the local area. Most exams are included in the insurance you purchased. However, if there are special medications you wish to get they may not be covered and you will have to pay full price for them. Women’s clinics can offer you a variety of services and are a great resource for further information you may be seeking.
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Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. Such roadside food carts are popular eateries in some regions in the United States. There is also a wide-array of ethnic foods, including Mexican, Cuban, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, French, and Indian, just to name a few. Many locals tend to eat these foods, but your stomach may not tolerate the food, especially if it's your first time tasting such foods. 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: Be aware of both the rules and regulations of the U.S. university in which you are enrolled and the local laws and customs. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of the United States, but also obey the codes of conduct required of students. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.
 Public and private universities may have different rules of conduct, so you should ask for these things when you get to campus. Usually, these rules and regulations are included in a student handbook provided by the university.
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 Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for U.S. study, and make all your necessary health information available to your school's administrators so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Studying in the United States 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. The health center at your university in the United States should be able to provide a list of available medical facilities, or direct you to a place where you can obtain this information.
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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.
Tip 3: Unless you really want to bring a first-aid kit as your carry-on luggage, all of the items listed above are available for purchase in the United States.
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Emergency Contacts: Keep your emergency contacts at home and in the United States 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 United States and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in United States, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
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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 addition, safety – particularly at various times of the day and night – varies widely from city to city, and region to region. Speak to your international student coordinator in the United States about the bus and local transportation systems in the location where you will be studying.
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 Train/Metro: While this form of transportation may be more comfortable than a bus, it can be much slower, depending on how far you will be traveling. Also, you may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night.
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Air: 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. Expect airfare to be quite a bit more expensive than bus or rail fare.
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Cars (Driving): U.S. insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in the United States. Keep in mind that if you are involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, must exchange insurance information with the other party. Normally, your insurance company will handle all the details. However, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges in court.
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 Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. This is especially true in the United States during Spring Break when students travel to popular party destinations. Violating drug laws in United States may result in very serious consequences.
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Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.
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