Student Handbook - Health Considerations

ISEP encourages students to be mature and responsible when managing their personal health and safety abroad. In the event of medical, safety, or crisis issues abroad, your first point of contact should always be your host ISEP Coordinator. Also, be sure that your legal guardians have contact details for both your home and host ISEP Coordinators.

While abroad you may be exposed to unfamiliar climates, food, medicine, and health care systems. In many cases, common sense and a healthy respect for your own body (and its limitations) will help you avoid medical problems. A few preliminary precautions outlined in this section can also spare you much unpleasantness. (Additional information regarding medical emergencies abroad can be found in the Emergencies section of this handbook.)

ISEP MEDICAL FORM: All ISEP students are required to complete the ISEP Student Self-Assessment Medical Form enclosed with your acceptance packet. A certain amount of stress due to culture shock or a change in living conditions is normal. In some cases, however, such stress may aggravate disabilities or illnesses that you have under control at home. This form will guide ISEP and your host ISEP Coordinator in making appropriate arrangements for you to receive the care and services that you need.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL CHECKUPS: Medical and dental checkups prior to your departure are essential. It is also a good idea to review your travel plans with your physician. Remember that only your physician knows your medical history and can advise you if a situation warrants more preventive guidelines than those outlined here. Frequently, health statements from your doctor are required to obtain a visa to enter your host country. Be sure to inform ISEP if your checkup raises any concerns not noted on your ISEP Medical Form.

SHOTS AND INOCULATIONS: Consult the Public Health Service in your area to find out about specific inoculations that you may be required to have before entering your host country or countries in which you wish to travel. You may also consult the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization for this information. Students going to Africa, Asia, and Latin America will likely need to receive several vaccinations before departing. (For specific information on these countries, see the Additional Health Information section of this handbook.) Below are general guidelines on inoculations for all students.

• The polio, tetanus, and diphtheria boosters and a meningococcal vaccine are required for all students, particularly those living in student housing.
• You should be immune to measles, mumps, and rubella through vaccine or physician-diagnosed cases of these diseases.
• The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended.
• Smallpox is considered to be eradicated by the World Health Organization. However, country regulations change frequently, so a vaccination may be needed.

Documentation of all inoculations should be taken abroad and may be required at your host university. Any inoculation should be recorded with the officially approved stamp on the yellow form titled International Certificate of Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization. Forms or cards that are not properly stamped are not accepted by health authorities in many countries.

Since many inoculations require more than one visit to a clinic or cannot be taken together, you should plan appointments in advance. If you plan to travel outside your host country, check the health requirements for those additional countries.