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Health PDF Print

Keeping yourself in good health is of paramount importance when you study overseas. Changes in climate and the fast pace of travel may cause health problems abroad. Colds, sore throats, coughs, and gastrointestinal disorders associated with different foods and water are inevitable. It is important to be aware of the things that can affect your health, so that you can enjoy your time abroad more fully.

Jet lag

Jet lag is something that occurs when people fly over multiple time zones rapidly, disturbing their physiological and psychological rhythms. Some symptoms of jet lag include general discomfort, sleep disturbances, reduced mental and physical performance, and disturbed appetite and eating patterns. Here are a few tips to help lessen the effects of jet lag:
  1. Try to get enough sleep the week before your trip and then while on the flight. Bring an inflatable neck pillow for those extra-long flights, which you can also use when you have layovers and need to rest at an airport.
  2. Reset your watch at the beginning of your flight to the local time of your destination. This will help you adjust to the new time zone.
  3. Drink fluids! Airplane cabins are very dry places, so drink lots of liquids like water and juice while on your flight. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which both cause dehydration.
  4. During the flight, take a break by getting up and walking around the cabin frequently or do stretching exercises in your seat. Activity will help your body’s circulation and allow you to feel less sluggish after the flight.
  5. As soon as you arrive in-country, adjust your meal times and sleep schedule to the local time. This will help your body adjust to the new time zone more quickly.
  6. Be aware that you may feel sluggish, drowsy, and have reduced performance for a few days after you arrive.

International Travel Appointment

The Office of International Affairs strongly recommends that you make a travel appointment with a health care professional before studying abroad. This appointment is intended to help you assess any and all health issues relevant to your upcoming study abroad experience. Such issues might include vaccinations or boosters, or might be as simple as reminders about healthy living while abroad. Either way, we encourage you to take this appointment seriously and to start making arrangements for such an appointment sooner rather than later.

As Ohio State University students, you are welcome to avail yourself of a travel clinic right here on campus:

Wilce Student Health Center
1875 Millikin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614)292-4321
shc.osu.edu

If you choose to go to the Student Health Center, please keep the following things in mind:
  • Please make sure to arrange this appointment at least six weeks prior to your departure dates, if not sooner. Some vaccinations require a lot of lead time or additional arrangements may need to be made.
  • When you make an appointment (via the regular appointment line (614) 292-4321), please specify that you would like to make a Travel Assessment Appointment. Be sure to specify your destination(s) and your expected travel dates.
  • Please bring as complete a vaccination record as you can. This helps the doctors and/or nurse practitioners to more accurately assess your health needs.
  • Some vaccinations can be given at the time of your Travel Assessment Appointment.
  • Other vaccinations will require a second appointment with Preventative Care.
    • If you are traveling to Africa or South America, it is very likely that you will need a Yellow Fever vaccination.  (Some countries require it, others recommend it.) This vaccine comes in a 5 dose vial, which means that the Student Health Center will need to dispense this vaccine to five people in a cluster of five appointments.(Each individual only receives one dose, but all five doses must be dispensed within an hour of each other, which is why this must be done five people at a time.) If this applies to you, you will place your name on a list at the time of your Travel Assessment Appointment.
    • If you are traveling to a country that recommends/requires a Rabies vaccination, please be advised that there is a shortage of this vaccine, and you will need to make further arrangements at the time of your Travel Assessment Appointment
    • If you are traveling to a country that recommends/requires either the Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B vaccination, please be advised that these vaccines are part of a series, which can take six months to complete. If the health care professional deems you to be eligible, you could potentially receive these two vaccines together as part of an accelerated series. You will need at least six weeks before departure to complete the accelerated series.
  • Student Health Insurance does not usually cover the Travel Assessment Appointment, but will cover up to half of the cost of your immunizations. (Up to $150/academic year.) If you have questions on whether or not your insurance will cover the appointment, please contact the Appointment Desk at (614) 292-4321.

Other Travel Clinics in Columbus
If you would like to explore other options, the Ohio Department of Health provides a list of travel clinics on its web site. Most of the tips listed above still apply for these clinics as well.

Life Care Alliance                        Premium Medical Care
5175 East Main Street                 1699 West Mound Street
Columbus, Ohio 43213                 Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614)575-1200                            (614) 278-3130

OSU-Rardin Family Practice Clinic (OSU Faculty and Staff ONLY)
2231 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614)293-2700

Travel and Immigration Clinic               Travel Health Center
745 West State Street                           6164 Cleveland Avenue            
Columbus, Ohio 43222                          Columbus, Ohio 43231
614.224.9052                                       (614) 901-0562
drbloomfield.com


Other Resources
For the most current health information, please visit the following web sites:

Ohio Department of Health: odh.ohio.gov

Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/travel 

SHARING INFORMATION

OIA asks you to inform your Study Abroad coordinator about any allergies, physical, and/or mental health conditions that may affect your study abroad experience. This is critical to do as some conditions can be reactivated or exacerbated by traveling abroad. Information that you share with your coordinator will be treated confidentially, will not jeopardize your participation in the study abroad program, and will assist OIA in helping you receive proper services and care while abroad.

PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRESCRIPTION LETTERS

When studying abroad, it is important to take with you an adequate supply of the medication(s) you regularly use. OIA can provide you with a prescription letter to take to your pharmacy or physician, so you can request to receive a supply of medication for the duration of your program. Please ask for this letter from your Study Abroad coordinator well in advance of your trip. When traveling with your medications, it is vital to keep your medications in the original, labeled containers. Be sure the information on the container has your name, your physician’s name, and the name of the medication. If the required medication is habit-forming or a narcotic drug, we recommend you take a doctor’s letter certifying your need for this particular medication.

PRIMARY MEDICAL INSURANCE

While participating in an Ohio State study abroad program, you are required
to maintain your primary insurance coverage. Following university procedures, you will be automatically enrolled in Ohio State comprehensive student health insurance for each quarter you are studying abroad. If you have other primary medical insurance and do not want to be enrolled in Ohio State comprehensive student health insurance, you can request exemption online by going to buckeyelink.osu.edu. You will be asked to provide information about your current health insurance provider. If you need assistance, go to shi.osu.edu/faq.asp.

SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL INSURANCE

As a participant in an Ohio State study abroad program, you are automatically enrolled in a supplemental health insurance plan through HTH Worldwide Services. In your Ohio State acceptance packet, you will receive a description of HTH benefits and covered medical expenses. In addition, you will receive an insurance card prior to your departure. Please carry this insurance card with you at all times while you are overseas.

To learn more about HTH Worldwide benefits and services, log on to hthstudents.com. You will need to log in your personal HTH Worldwide ID number, which is on your insurance card. Your parents can also access information about HTH Worldwide by logging on to hthparents.com.
If you are in need of non-emergency medical care overseas, first contact your resident director or your host institution contact person who can help you locate a medical facility. If you have Internet access, then log on to hthstudents.com to locate a physician near you. HTH has already identified and certified physicians who can provide medical care in many study abroad destinations. If you have difficulty locating medical care, contact HTH directly (See Medical Emergencies on the next page).

If you seek medical care from an HTH provider, then the cost of your medical care will be paid directly by HTH. There is no deductible and no co-payment or out-of-pocket cost for your medical care. However, you will need to pay for prescription medicine out-of-pocket. Collect all receipts and submit them along with a completed HTH claim form directly to HTH upon your return to the United States.

If you receive medical care from a physician who is not an HTH provider, then you will need to pay costs out-of-pocket. Collect receipts for every service provided and then submit the receipts and a completed HTH claim form directly to HTH after you return to the United States. You are advised to bring a credit card with you for medical emergencies.

Your HTH Worldwide supplemental health insurance is in effect for the duration of your study abroad program only. If you plan personal travel before or after your program, you are advised to obtain health insurance that covers you for medical care while overseas. One option is to obtain an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which provides international health insurance coverage for travelers.


MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

HTH Worldwide and its assistance provider operate a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, emergency global assistance service. For medical and other emergency assistance, call HTH Worldwide collect from outside the U.S. at +1-610-254-8771. Within the U.S., call toll-free 1-800-257-4823. Be prepared to give your name, your HTH certificate number (on your insurance card), and a description of your emergency.

What should you do if you become ill or are injured?
In the event of a medical emergency, contact your Ohio State resident director or host institution coordinator immediately. If you are unable to reach these individuals and your medical condition requires immediate attention, go to the nearest hospital or medical facility.

What if you don’t know where to go?
From outside the U.S., you should call HTH collect +1-610-254-8771. Within the U.S., call toll-free 1-800-257-4823.
Referrals: HTH will provide special assistance in locating the nearest, most appropriate medical care.
Translators: In the event of an emergency situation, HTH will provide translation services and referrals to local interpreters as necessary.

If you are hospitalized and have a large bill, what should you do?
If you are hospitalized, HTH may be able to coordinate hospital payment guarantees. Call HTH as soon as possible after you are admitted to the hospital to discuss payment options.
 

EMERGENCY CONTACT GUIDELINES

  1. Contact your resident director, host institution coordinator, or other in‑country contact person immediately.
  2. Contact OIA, (614) 292-6101, during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask to speak with your Study Abroad coordinator.
  3. After hours and on weekends, call The Ohio State University’s 24-hour number at (614) 292-6677 to report your emergency. This 24-hour number will be answered by the university’s Security Services, who will take your information and contact the appropriate university personnel.
  4. Contact your family or appropriate person(s) in the United States and establish a communication schedule.
     

OTHER EMERGENCIES

Non-medical emergencies are situations that do not involve injury, illness, or urgent medical attention. Nevertheless, such circumstances can be upsetting and stressful and need to be promptly resolved. In the event of a non-medical emergency, follow the emergency contact guidelines above. In some cases, it may be necessary to file a police report with local authorities, particularly if you are assaulted or robbed. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to report it to the U.S. consulate in your host country as soon as possible. If your credit/debit cards are lost or stolen, you should immediately contact the bank or financial institution that issued the cards.