Health & Wellness

If you are taking prescription medication or are in regular treatment, we strongly recommend that you have a medical examination before you leave. To maximize the effectiveness of your appointment, take a copy of your program information as well as a printout of the CDC requirements for your program location. An illness could negatively affect your experience abroad, so it’s best to take care of health conditions before you go.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition for which you see a health care provider or receive treatments regularly and you want to maintain care while abroad, you may utilize International SOS (ISOS) to find and schedule appointments with an in-country provider.

NOTE: Your international travel insurance will not pay for these appointments. You must maintain or purchase major medical insurance while you're abroad for any routine or pre-existing conditions.

Please visit the Your Health Abroad page on the U.S. Department of State website for more information.

Do not assume your medications will be available or legal in your destination country. If you take prescription medication, reach out to International SOS (ISOS) to discuss the legality and availability of your prescription in your destination country. You can also check the resources below to determine if the medication you take is legal in your destination. If your prescription is not legal or available, ISOS may identify other medications that are available. It is critical to consult with your health care provider to select the medication that is best for you. Once you and your provider have identified medications, follow the tips below:

• Keep medications in original containers with clear labels.
• Bring a physician's note stating your condition, the medication's necessity, and its generic name.
• Plan ahead if your supply won't last the entire trip, as medications cannot be mailed internationally.
• Bring a 30-day supply in your carry-on if space is limited. If not, bring all your medication in your carry on.
• Arrange extended prescriptions (>30+ days) with your insurer if needed.
• Keep all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) in original bottles.
• If your medications require refrigeration, plan for refrigeration for the length of your initial travel + 24 hours in the event of delays.

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control, Traveling Abroad with Medicine
• International Narcotics Control Board
• Embassy of destination/layover countries
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Traveling with medicines
• Medications in other countries
• Guide to Healthy Travel: International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
• Medications in Other Countries

• Your primary care physician or a travel clinic can advise you about any vaccinations and/or immunizations or other medical support that you might need before and while you are abroad.
• Please be aware that some vaccinations need to be spaced out in order to be effective, so early planning is essential.
• Be sure to schedule appointments as soon as possible once you have chosen your destination. 
• During this appointment, consider not only your primary location, but any other countries where you might travel.

Go to CDC’s Travelers’ Health website  to determine what vaccinations and/or immunizations are recommended for your travel destinations.

Before traveling internationally, complete all yearly health checkups. Routine health assessments such as physicals, eye exams, dental cleanings, etc. are not covered by the LMU provided international travel insurance. Knowing your health status before leaving the country can be extremely beneficial in identifying what is wrong if you notice any changes in your health while abroad or for follow-up consultations after returning to the United States.

Resources

• Visit the Your Health Abroad page on the U.S. Department of State website for additional health considerations before going abroad.
• If you are studying abroad, you can also visit the Studying Abroad page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
• CDC's Traveler's Health page provides a wealth of resources.

Routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings, surgeries, etc. are not covered by the international travel insurance while abroad. Additionally, most U.S.-based dental insurances do not extend to care practices abroad. It is highly recommended that you have a dental checkup and complete any required dental care before leaving the country. Dental health is extremely important to your overall health and can be very expensive abroad. If you experience dental trauma while abroad, any care received will be covered by International Insurance as long as the cause of the injury is not on listed under the insurance exclusions and limitations. For more information, review the Summary of Benefits.

If you are taking prescription medication or are in regular treatment, we strongly recommend that you have a medical examination before you leave. To maximize the effectiveness of your appointment, take a copy of your program information as well as a printout of the CDC requirements for your program location. An illness could negatively affect your experience abroad, so it’s best to take care of health conditions before you go.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition for which you see a health care provider or receive treatments regularly and you want to maintain care while abroad, you may utilize International SOS (ISOS) to find and schedule appointments with an in-country provider.

NOTE: Your international travel insurance will not pay for these appointments. You must maintain or purchase major medical insurance while you're abroad for any routine or pre-existing conditions.

Please visit the Your Health Abroad page on the U.S. Department of State website for more information.

Do not assume your medications will be available or legal in your destination country. If you take prescription medication, reach out to International SOS (ISOS) to discuss the legality and availability of your prescription in your destination country. You can also check the resources below to determine if the medication you take is legal in your destination. If your prescription is not legal or available, ISOS may identify other medications that are available. It is critical to consult with your health care provider to select the medication that is best for you. Once you and your provider have identified medications, follow the tips below:

• Keep medications in original containers with clear labels.
• Bring a physician's note stating your condition, the medication's necessity, and its generic name.
• Plan ahead if your supply won't last the entire trip, as medications cannot be mailed internationally.
• Bring a 30-day supply in your carry-on if space is limited. If not, bring all your medication in your carry on.
• Arrange extended prescriptions (>30+ days) with your insurer if needed.
• Keep all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) in original bottles.
• If your medications require refrigeration, plan for refrigeration for the length of your initial travel + 24 hours in the event of delays.

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control, Traveling Abroad with Medicine
• International Narcotics Control Board
• Embassy of destination/layover countries
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Traveling with medicines
• Medications in other countries
• Guide to Healthy Travel: International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
• Medications in Other Countries

Adjusting to a new culture takes time and can often take a toll on your immune system and/or mental health. The disorientation you may experience as you settle into your destination country is called culture shock. Everyone experiences culture shock differently and it is important to understand what may cause it, how to identify it, and how to support your well-being.

Culture shock is often the result of compounding effects such as jetlag, drinking, stress, language barriers, and other new experiences. Culture shock may cause depression, sleep loss, appetite changes, mood swings, sluggishness, further stress, and anxiety. It is important to look out for these signs of culture shock and mitigate the effects by:

• Making sure to take the time for self-care and stress management;
• Trying to maintain your regular self-care and stress management routines while abroad;
• Maintaining a healthy diet;
• Sticking to an exercise and sleep schedule;
• Continuing to take medications as directed, even if you feel you no longer need it, and
• Utilizing International SOS to schedule an appointment to meet with a mental health provider as needed.
• Access LMU Mental Health Resources at this link.

Resiliency is the ability to respond or “bounce back” in difficult or trying situations. International travel will often bring individuals face-to-face with adversity in a new culture, at the same time as potentially limiting support from established social networks.

There are multiple ways to build resiliency, and each individual will respond differently to the situations and actions to improve resiliency. It is important to understand that no two solutions will be the same, so individuals need to find what works for them. However, certain strategies are prevalent in dealing with adverse situations.

• Maintain support networks. Before departure, plan for how you will communicate while abroad and maintain contact with your support network. Establish new sources of support where you are.
• Maintain your physical health. Physical health is a key aspect of resiliency. Eat well, get as much sleep as possible, and participate in physical activities.
• Remember your past achievements. Consider how you overcame similar challenges in the past. Do not simply give up or feel that a situation is beyond your ability; can you apply strategies and actions that previously worked for you?
• Look to the future. Adopt a positive mindset and focus on what you can do moving forward. Do not focus on past mistakes that. Create plan for how you will respond and “celebrate” your achievements.
• Relieve stress. Find activities that you enjoy and make time for them every day. It is important to take a break and stop thinking about the challenges. Learn to play a local instrument, take up knitting, or learn to draw!
• Seek assistance. If you need assistance, reach out and ask! It is not a sign of weakness or failure to let people know that you are struggling. Seek professional assistance if necessary; international insurance can arrange for counseling if required.

More LMU Well-Being Resources

Alcohol and drug use carries serious health, cultural and legal risks for all travelers. The use of drugs is not permitted under any circumstances. Drugs are illegal in most countries in the world, with very severe penalties.

Alcohol may be legal in your host country, but it is important to consume it safely. The risks to your personal safety and the safety of others increase with the consumption of alcohol: you are more likely to be the target of abuse, criminal behavior, or other offenses when you have been drinking and your faculties are impaired, so it is essential that you make good choices about your drinking behavior. Do not accept drinks from others. Do not leave restaurants or bars alone, and do not walk around after you have been drinking. Have a plan for returning home and communicate and coordinate this plan with others. 

In addition to these issues, alcohol and drug use can lead to disciplinary actions for LMU study students, who must abide by the Student Conduct Code. Excessive or irresponsible intoxication and behavior that interferes with your personal safety and that of others is subject to immediate disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program, parental notification, and return home at your own expense. Review the alcohol and drug use information on this website, including the consequences for irresponsible and disruptive behavior as well as alcohol and drug use abroad.

An important part of maintaining your health while abroad is eating and drinking properly – stay hydrated! Remember that in addition to the cultural and emotional adjustments you’ll be making, your body will be adjusting to a new climate, new time zone, new food, etc. and eating right, exercising and getting rest will help ease that adjustment.

The "rules" of dating can differ significantly across cultures, so it's important to be mindful of your behavior and take the time to learn about how dating and relationships typically work in your host country and to understand laws related to sexual and interpersonal misconduct.

Also keep in mind that HIV and other STIs are widespread globally. We encourage students to exercise caution and make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being while abroad.

The international travel insurance provided by LMU through International SOS and Chubb does not cover routine or pre-existing medical conditions. It is essential that you maintain your current insurance or purchase additional coverage for major medical and dental care while abroad. Students can use the Aetna plan offered on campus. Be sure to contact your insurance provider before you depart to confirm what coverage they offer during your trip. If you need assistance securing medical or dental insurance for your time abroad, please reach out to the International Health & Safety Office at internationaltravel@lmu.edu.

Click on the link for guidance on what to pack in your Personal Travel Health Kit.

To prepare for international travel, carefully consider your existing health conditions in consultation with your medical providers.

Pre-existing health conditions may be exacerbated by changes in elevation, diet, social life, jet lag, time changes, air quality, climate, living arrangements, etc. To help you consider your medical history and create a plan to address your needs while abroad, the International Travel Health & Safety office has  created a Health Self-Assessment for International Travel.

Click on the link below where you will see a number of health-related questions, which you should answer honestly. You may fill the form as you go, then print or save it   Later, you can use the self-assessment to facilitate a discussion with your primary care provider. In addition, you may want to discuss your health with your traveling companions or with those familiar with your upcoming travel so they can help you more readily if you should need assistance while abroad.

Health Self-Assessment

Click on this link for instructions on what to do if you become ill or injured abroad.