Preparation for Study Abroad

1
Preparation for Study Abroad

• Practicalities, Environment, Money, Safety

2
On-line Assistance

• Immunizations, etc. WWW.CDC.GOV/TRAVEL
• Visas Dept. of State, Zierer Visa Service
  http//www.zvs.com/
• Insurance trip insurance, health insurance,
  evacuation insurancestudent health
• US Consular Service safety, warnings, politics
  http//travel.state.gov
• Center for Global EducationCultural issues
• www.lmu.edu/globaled

3
Travel Arrangements

• Know local laws, history, and customs Rough
  Guide, Lonely Planet, Blue Guide
• Bring small gifts and photos
• Get legal papers in orderwills, etc.
• Credit and security notify card companies you
  are traveling, know limits
• Property insurance (renters, home, etc)
• Itineraries and contact details relatives, OIP,
  friends, mentors.

4
Travel Safety

• Avoid connecting flights, travel light, no fanny
  packs or outside pockets, bring small locks
• Learn essential language tidbits
• Know where the embassy/consulate is and write
  down the phone number
• Cell phone?

5
Money Safety

• Money belt
• Use small bills, travelers checks are sometime
  problematic
• ATMs are everywhere, but watch your back
• Hide spares, use small amount for robberies
• Maximum two credit cards, get registry service
• Dont use black market currency exchange

6
Personal Safety

• Where tourists gather, so do robbers
• Travel in groups
• Avoid night excursions and driving
• Keep a low profilestay away from protests
• Avoid friendly strangers
• Pickpockets (distraction, crowds, spills)
• Dont fight against robbery
• If robbed, get a police report

7
Liability Issues

• Proof of insurance is necessary prior to
  traveling on UCSF funds
• Letter of agreement from host country
• Understand specific risks (informed consent and
  indemnification?)
• Altitude
• Rabies
• Political/terrorist
• Unique precautions for women
• CHR for research

8
First Aid Kit

• Tylenol, ibuprofen
• PeptoBismol
• Cipro
• HC 2 cream
• Antifungal cream
• Wound care
• Decongestant
• Antihistamine
• Ambien

• Loperamide
• Anti-malarials
• Iodine/water purifier
• 3 Ace
• Bandages, tape
• Hypodermic needles
• Wipes
• Steri-strips
• Safety pins

9
Other Supplies

• Swiss Army Knife IN CHECKED LUGGAGE!!! (also nail
  clippers, scissors, and anything sharp)
• Electrical adaptors (European, British)
• Eyeglass fixit kit
• Water-resistant flashlight, extra batteries
• Extra eyeglasses and prescription

10
Dumb Things to Avoid

• Drug use, inebriation
• Photographing military facilities
• Purchasing antiquities
• Joking with security people
• Sharps in carry on luggage
• Going home with a new friend you meet at a bar
• Doing favors for friendly strangers

11
Student Responsibilities

• Learning Objectives proposed, met, or not met
• Products trip report, program development,
  relationships, future project
• Opportunities for students who follow you
• You are ambassadors for UCSF and US.

12
Trip Report

• On line form at http//www.medschool.ucsf.edu/int
  lprograms/pdf/StudentTripReport.doc
• Component of searchable database for future
  students
• Used for statistical analysis/evaluation

13
Area of Concentration in Global Health

• Topics in International Health (Winter 2006)
• Core course August block (along with Designing
  Clinical Research for Students)
• Year away (MPH at Berkeley, other degree, custom
  designed experience, CDC or NIH fellowships)
• Mentorship
• Two-six months senior electives in international
  research or experience and writing sabbatical

14
Have a Good TIME!!!