Student Health

            Many students will encounter physical and mental stresses on the body during overseas study so it is imperative to be in the best shape prior to departure.  If students do not physically train already then they need to begin immediately, as a strong body with high endurance will only make the abroad experience easier on them.  Daily exercise can also help students decrease the chance becoming ill, or even reduce the risk of injury from everyday activity.  Exercise is a critical touch point for students but visiting with at least a doctor, dentist, and optometrist prior to departure is of great important, if not of more significance in comparison to exercise.  Students should make their respective medical professional aware of their study abroad intentions during their checkup.  International students should also ask their medical specialists for drug prescriptions for refills, possible medications that should be packed for abroad travel, and any other health concerns which may arise during the checkup.  Prior to departure, students must also take initiative to review the vaccinations which they will need for their study abroad experience and receive the required immunizations, if necessary.  The best way for students to insure a top quality study abroad experience is by being proactive, and another measure in which they must review is common health hazards online such as water contamination, food pollution, and diseases in their country of study.  Upon arrival in their foreign country of study students should create a contact list that has the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of all their available overseas healthcare specialists.  Students will discover that preparation to insure a strong and healthy body is a long and difficult process, but in the end is worth it because of the once in a lifetime opportunity received by international students.