Health and Diet

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

As in the United States, students traveling abroad should take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure to the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. Visit the Center for Disease Control website or the World Health Organization website for more information.

If your student is in need of medical care or blood while abroad, IAP suggests that you contact the U.S. Embassy or CISI about where to seek medical treatment.

If your student is HIV-positive, some countries may require HIV anti-body tests and there may be constraints on what countries you will be able to enter. Contact the Consulate or Embassy of the country in which your student will be studying and any others he/she plan to visit. Some medications are not universally available; discuss with your healthcare provider the availability of medications your student may need in the country where he/she will be staying. If you or your student have any concerns or questions, contact your IAP Study Abroad Advisor.

Diet and Eating Disorders

Although food and water is safe in many countries, in numerous others you will need to exercise caution. There are some basic rules that should help your student stay healthy.

• Avoid uncooked food purchased from street vendors.
• Avoid dairy products that are not refrigerated or pasteurized.
• Do not drink water unless you know that it is safe for drinking; bottled water is recommended.
• Avoid ice cubes in soft drinks unless you know that the ice was made from water safe for drinking.
• Do not leave drinks unattended or drink anything opened out of your sight.

Vegetarians or students on special diets should be aware that their dietary needs might not be easily met in some countries. Your students should discuss their needs with their healthcare provider and IAP Study Abroad Advisor as necessary. Note any special dietary needs on your IAP Health and Wellness Information form, home stay application, or other program-specific forms.

There are many cross-cultural differences in the meanings of food and in standards of beauty. Students with eating disorders may find that these differences create additional challenges for them. A well-meaning host may insist on serving you more food than you care to eat or someone may intend to compliment you by saying that you have put on weight. Remind yourself that this is simply a reflection of the speaker's cultural beliefs and values.

If your student has or has had an eating disorder, they should discuss their study abroad plans with their healthcare provider before they leave. Any helpful information should be discolosed on their IAP Health and Wellness Information form. An IAP staff member can help find support networks at your student's program site.Students living with a home stay should fill out their housing form completely and not be afraid to be honest about what you need. Stating needs before arriving may be easier than having to explain them in person. In most other housing situations (residence halls, apartments), students have more control about when and what you eat.

Alcohol and Illegal Drug Use

Cross-cultural differences exist in the consumption of alcohol. Depending on host country, students may find the availability and public consumption of alcohol greatly increased or decreased. Often, rules about the acceptability of alcohol use in certain situations or contexts are very different than in the United States. Excessive drinking can impair judgment, lead to risk or harm to yourself or others and have an effect on your academic performance.

If students are in recovery or think they may have a problem, we encourage them to discuss their plans to study abroad with their sponsor or healthcare provider before they leave. Any helpful information should be disclosed on their IAP Health and Wellness Information form. Your student should contact an IAP staff member for assistance in finding support contacts at the program site. Alcoholic Anonymous meetings are held in many cities abroad. Information about Alcoholics Anonymous international services can be found online at Alcoholics Anonymous.

While drugs in some countries may seem easily available, this does not mean they are legal. Existing legislation in most foreign countries regarding the use or possession of marijuana, cocaine, and other illegal drugs imposes very severe penalties. Association with illegal drug users or possessors is considered the same as personal use or possession by authorities in some countries. Penalties for use or possession of illegal drugs can include jail terms, hard labor, and even the death penalty. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the program offices are able to exercise effective pressure to moderate these penalties. If a student is arrested, they are subject to the host country’s laws and neither the UW-Madison’s IAP office nor the U.S. Embassy can protect them from the local legal consequences. While on an IAP study abroad program, students are responsible for obeying all local laws. If IAP learns that program participants are using drugs or breaking other local laws, participants will be confronted and may be asked to leave the program.

back to top

Medical Insurance and CISI

U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care abroad may face extreme difficulties. That is why the University of Wisconsin System has mandated that all University of Wisconsin students studying/traveling abroad under a UW sponsored program must enroll in health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).

The CISI health insurance is included in the student's program fees. CISI insurance covers travel to other countries and provides medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. Students receive a CISI insurance card and brochure on their pre-departure orientation.

CISI insurance coverage generally will start a day or two before the official program start date and terminate within a week of the program's conclusion. Dates should be verified on your student's CISI insurance card. Coverage may be extend for up to 31 days by contacting CISI directly.

CISI insurance does not cover pre-existing health conditions. Thus, it is important to arrange for continuation of your student's regular health insurance coverage while you are studying abroad. Check with your current health insurance provider to see if you student is covered internationally. If your student needs a full-time enrollment letter in order to maintain his/her current health insurance coverage while overseas, contact your IAP Study Abroad Advisor.

Some countries require that foreign students participating in study abroad programs purchase local health insurance in that country. Your student is responsible for purchasing this insurance if it is a requirement for the country where he/she will be studying. Students participating on these programs are still required to have CISI insurance as local insurance only provides coverage in the host country.

Doctors and hospitals outside of the United States often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Your student may need to pay up front for medical expenses and send a CISI insurance claim form along with the original receipt to CISI for reimbursement. CISI insurance claim forms can be found here.

For questions regarding the CISI insurance policy, claims, status of reimbursements for claims, or to extend CISI coverage contact:

Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI )
River Plaza • 9 West Broad Street • Stamford, CT 06902-3788
Tel: 203-399-5183 • Fax 203-399-5596
http://www.culturalinsurance.com/

For medical referrals and information abroad, emergency medical assistance, or questions regarding medical evacuations or repatriation, contact:

CISI TEAM ASSIST (24-hour emergency assistance)
From the U.S. call: 800-472-0906
From outside the U.S. call collect: 713-267-2525
Email: CUSTOMERSERVICE3@AIG.COM
CISI Policy Number: GLB 9111660
ASSIST ID#: GLB 9111660

back to top

Physical Exam and Immunizations

IAP participants are not required to have a physical exam before going abroad. However, it may be required for certain countries/visas. IAP strongly recommends that your student have a physical exam, consult with their healthcare provider and/or travel nurse about immunizations, and have a dental check-up before departure.

Students are responsible for getting all necessary immunizations before studying abroad. Consult the World Health Organization website and the Center for Disease Control website to learn about possible health issues or precautions in the countries in which your student will be studying or traveling. Immunizations should be recorded and certified in the "International Certificate of Vaccination" booklet, which can be obtained from the Post Office where you submitted your passport application or from your healthcare provider.

University Health Services (UHS) has a travel clinic that provides health services for patients who are planning foreign travel, including vaccines and immunizations. Information about the travel clinic and how to make an appointment can be found here.

back to top

Prescriptions

Some countries may limit the amount of a particular drug that people can transport into and out of the host country. Some medications that are prescribed in the United States may be considered illegal substances in other countries. Check with the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., about any such restrictions.

If your student takes prescription medications regularly or expect to take some while abroad, they should bring a sufficient supply with them for the duration of their program. Ask your doctor about the availability abroad of any prescription medications your student takes regularly. Even if his/her prescription is available, it may be simpler to take an adequate supply with them for the period he/she is abroad (provided it is not perishable). Your insurance company may ask you for a letter certifying that your student will be studying abroad, which your IAP Study Abroad Advisor can provide you with if requested.

Your student should keep all prescription medications in their original bottles and carry them with you in your carry on luggage. For some medications, your student may need to carry a letter from your physician stating why they need the prescription medication. Bring along copies of their medical prescriptions, including the name of the active ingredient(s).

back to top

Previous Section: Safety and Security Abroad

Parents Handbook Home Page