Health Factors for International Students

Health Factors for International Students

Other than Interest and availability of Resources, Health is an important pillar to consider when moving abroad for education. Taking care of your day-to-day health is a crucial responsibility, maybe a little more than studying, on some occasions. When you start preparing to study abroad, it is important to make sure you prepare for your health and related needs well.

There are certain steps that you can take, to be safe and healthy during your time abroad. Let’s start with breaking them into two categories: 1. Before overseas. 2. When overseas.

Before Overseas

Vaccines: The absolute precaution one should take while moving from one country to another country, is to be aware of the transferable viruses, and make sure to be vaccinated for all of them. Check on your university’s website to know all the vaccinations needed and consult with your General Physician in advance.

Medications: Make a checklist of all the necessary medications that you need and may need depending on the weather and overall conditions of the country you are moving to. Get some extra supplements of your prescribed medications to carry with you in case of emergency needs or the unavailability of an equivalent medication.

Health Insurances: Moving out of one’s home country can be scary, especially when one doesn’t know what the future holds. What kind of problems, sicknesses or issues can come up is hard to decipher, getting yourself insured is a good idea so that you don’t have to run around during the time of crisis. Do some research and look for insurance plans that suit you. And if the country you are moving to has student insurance plans at their medical facilities.

When Overseas

When you move out of the house, the responsibility of taking care of yourself becomes a priority. Nonetheless, there are times when you cannot avoid being sick or injured.

Injuries: Saving ourselves from unforeseen injuries is impossible, but being away from home just hits harder. In case you do get injured, seek the help of the local authorities as soon as possible. Your insurance plan would be a great help in an emergency case like this. It will be helpful to save enough cash in times like these.

Major illnesses: Just like the injuries, if you happen to fall sick and have to be hospitalized, it is best again to contact your local authorities as quickly as possible. In case of a fatal emergency, get in touch with the home country’s consulate, to contact your guardian/family.

Medication kit: “Precaution is better than running around in an emergency”. Keep a box of all the necessary medications at your disposal. Know if they are updated, whether they are usable, and if or not they have any side effects. Research has stated that the Common cold and Tonsillitis are the most diseases one could get when moving abroad. Get enough over-the-counter medications that are safe for treatment. And also keep some handy in case of a problem.

Though taking care of your physical health can be cumbersome, it is equally essential to keep a constant check on your mental health as well. Living away from the comfort of home can be lonely, tiring and on some occasions traumatic. It is essential to take every possible step to have a healthy mental state of being. Take care of your physical health by working out, eating well and sleeping plenty, which will also help you take care of your mental health. Other than this, stay connected to your friends and family, ask for help when necessary and to reach out.