Health & Wellness

Meet with Your Doctor Before You Go

At least a couple months prior to departure, you should plan to meet with your medical support team, which may include:

  • Primary care physician
  • Local travel clinic
  • Physical health specialists
  • Nutritionist
  • Mental health specialists

When you meet with your doctor, here are some things you'll want to discuss:

  • Your program or visa application may require a medical form, so bring this with you for your doctor to fill out.
  • If you take prescription medication, talk to your doctor about whether you can get your prescription refilled with enough to last for the duration of your time abroad. If this isn't possible, put together a plan with your doctor and program for how you'll get your prescriptions refilled while abroad. See theÌýTaking Medications Abroad section below for more details.
  • Talk about whether your host country requires any vaccines or if there are certain health issues to be aware of. See below for more info vaccines.
If your doctor isn't local

Fee-paying, É«½ä³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ students can schedule a travel consultation appointment at theÌýÌý²¹³ÙÌýÌý¾±²Ô²õ³Ù±ð²¹»å:

  • The cost of your visit and vaccinations will vary depending on your insurance coverage.
  • Plan ahead, as appointments can book up early at certain times of year (especially in November).
  • A travel physical is different than a regular physical, so be sure to follow the prompts correctly to schedule a travel physical.
  • If your program or visa application requires medical paperwork and/or a medical exam, you must schedule an appointment at least two weeks prior to the submission deadline.
  • Allow at least one hour for your travel appointment.

Other travel clinics in the É«½ä³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ area includeÌýÌý(with locations throughout the U.S., including É«½ä³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ and Denver) andÌý.

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Health Disclosures

We recommend discussing your health and medical needs with yourÌýEd Abroad Program ManagerÌýor program/host university staff well in advance of your program start date. This allows your program team to better ensure you have a healthy, safe, and successful experience. This information will be treated confidentially and shared only with select staff on a need-to-know basis. Typically, your program will have you complete a health and medical disclosure form where you can share:

  • Temporary medical conditions (broken bones, recovering from surgery, etc.)
  • Mental health information
  • Medications you are currently taking and that you will take while abroad
  • Disability-related academic or housing accommodations
  • Allergies or dietary restrictions
  • Need to see health professional while abroad

These disclosures are optional but encouraged, as they help the on-site staff to best assist you should you need it.

Accommodations

If you have accommodations through the Center for Disability and Access and need similar accommodations while abroad, discuss these needs as soon as possible with yourÌýEd Abroad Program Manager, program, or host university. The earlier you share these needs, the better we can accommodate them.

Your program may require a letter from Disability Services detailing your accommodations, which you can access within the Accommodate portal. If you need any assistance requesting these forms, contact your Access Coordinator within Disability Services.

Not all accommodations are guaranteed, but we do our best to make sure you have the resources and tools needed for a successful experience abroad. Late or non-disclosure may limit our ability to help.

Have important medical alerts, such as allergies or diabetes information, translated into the local language, if applicable.

Vaccines

Check the resources below to find out whether your destination requires any specific vaccines for entry and to see what other vaccines may be recommended. Don’t delay since some vaccines require several shots taken weeks apart.

  • - if you haven't already, follow to create an account with International SOS
  • Your program's pre-departure materials

Some countries have specific vaccine requirements for entry, such as for Yellow Fever or COVID-19. If your host country requires this, make sure you carry both a physical and digital copy of your vaccination record card as you may be asked to present it upon entry.

Vaccination requirements, including potential booster shots, vary by country, program, and host university, and may be stricter than those in the U.S. It is your responsibility to research and stay updated on these requirements and to comply with any guidelines or exemptions for your program or destination.

Taking Medications or Medical Equipment Abroad

  • If you take prescription medication, put together a plan with your medical provider about accessing your medication while abroad. If possible, bring enough medication to last your whole program.
    • Ask your doctor for a letter to present to customs officials and overseas medical providers explaining what you need to take, including a generic breakdown (not just a generic name) of the medication.
    • If this isn't possible, discuss with your doctor and program whether you can get your specific prescription filled while abroad or if there are other alternatives for you. The purchasing medications overseas due to the risk of counterfeit medication, so if you can't bring enough medication to last your entire program, create a plan with your medical provider and your on-site program staff.
  • Research whether your medication is available or even legal in your host country. This is especially true of medications for conditions such as depression and ADD/ADHD. Some medications commonly prescribed in the U.S. are not legal abroad.
    • Contact to determine if the prescription medication you plan to bring abroad is legal in your host country. If you haven't already, follow to create an account with International SOS.
    • If your medications are not legal, ask for a list of legal alternative medications from ISOS, and work with your medical provider to find a legal alternative if possible. Do this at least several months before your trip to ensure you and your provider can create and try out your new medication plan before you leave the country.
    • The U.S. Department of State’s page also includes advice about traveling with prescription medication.
  • You should never had medication sent to you through international mail.
  • Check with your airline on their policies for bringing medication and medical equipment with you.
  • When traveling with medication (either prescription or over-the-counter meds), keep them in their original container packaging so that customs officials can easily identify them.
  • You should not stop taking any medications or modifying your medications without first consulting your doctor.
  • Asthma or airborne allergies could worsen while abroad due to differing allergens or air quality.ÌýIf possible, bring an extra supply of inhalers or allergy medication.
  • If you wear glasses or contacts, have a copy of your prescriptionÌýand an extra pair of glasses or sufficient supply of contacts and contact solution. In some countries, contact solution is difficult to find or requires a prescription.
  • If you have an epi-pen, inhaler, or any other emergency medication, carry it with you at all times during your program.
  • If your medication needs to be temperature-controlled, think through how you will transport itÌýand then store it while abroad. and connect with your airline and program about accommodations if necessary.
  • A Colorado medical marijuana card is not valid outside of Colorado. Marijuana remains illegal in many countries with these laws strictly enforced, and you can be arrested, prosecuted, or deported if in possession of marijuana (even if you have a U.S. medical marijuana card). Review theÌýDrugs & AlcoholÌýwebpage for more information.

Mental Health

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Cultural adjustment, being in a new environment, and being away from your support networks can have a major impact on mental health and you may experience bouts of culture shock, loneliness, stress, and a range of other emotions during your program. Be prepared to adapt and adjust to the challenges that living in a new place may have.Ìý

section of our Cultural Adjustment page also has more information on this topic.

Before you Depart

Set yourself up for success with advance preparation:

  • Use this Ìýfrom Health & Wellness Services to make a plan for how you might respondÌýto new or different (and potentially unexpected) emotions.
  • You will likely experience some form ofÌýculture shock. Learn about the , including its various stages and how they might manifest, as this can help you better recognize the signs and impacts of your response.
  • AdvanceÌýresearch into your destination's culture, language, history, traditions, dress codes, body language, and other normsÌýcan help you be better prepared for what to expect on-site.
  • If you work with a therapist or psychologist, consider speaking with them about managingÌýcultural adjustment and being in a new environment, and determine a course of action should you face challenges on-site.
  • Some state laws don't allow therapist/psychologist to meet with clients who are outside their state of license (including Colorado). If this applies to you and you would like to continue meeting with someone while abroad, connect with your EdÌýAbroad Program Manager or your program provider to about making arrangements. Your CU Ed Abroad Health Insurance covers mental health support.
  • If you are taking any kind of medication, speak with your psychiatrist or medical provider about those medications. Do not stop taking your medication or modify your medication without first consulting with your medical provider.ÌýFollow the guidance provided in theÌýTaking Medications AbroadÌýsection as well.
  • Consider disclosing your mental health history to your EdÌýAbroad Program Manager or your program provider. They can provide information on mental health care in your host country, answer questions related to possible culture shock, provide advice about on-site resources, and connect you with on-site staff.

While Abroad

As you adjust to your new environment:

  • Use the Ìýfrom Health & Wellness Services while abroad.
  • Don't isolate yourself. Explore your host city, get involved. This could includeÌýcontinuing or starting your exercise routine, making plans with friends, planning excursions, or joining a club.
  • Keep in touch with your support network back home. Also, reach out to friends and fellow participants abroad. Whether on your program or elsewhere, they may be dealing with similar challenges and be able to relate or offer advice.
  • Eat healthy food and get enough sleep.
  • Know that jet lag and exhaustion can have real impactsÌýon your mood and physical health, so take care of yourself, particularly in the first few days and weeks while your body is adjusting to a new time zone, climate, or diet.
  • Be mindful of alcohol use if you choose to drink. Alcohol can exacerbate emotions and other challenges presented by a new environment.
  • Remember, is normal.
  • Connect with your on-site staff.ÌýTheyÌýare there to ensure your success and should be your first go-to if you need extra support or have concerns or issues with adjusting.
  • Consider additional mental health support:
    • Program staff may be able to refer you to a local therapist or psychiatrist familiar with working with U.S. students abroad.
    • Your CU Ed Abroad insurance covers mental health support. Schedule an appointment with a professional counselor by callingÌýÌýat +1-215-942-8478. You can choose phone, video-call, or (where possible) face-to-face sessions.
    • Utilize WellTrack, CU's online, self-pacedÌýprogram to support your emotional health and well-being.
    • É«½ä³ÉÈËÖ±²¥'s Let's Talk program is a free service allowing students to meet via telehealth for an informal and confidential consultation with a counselor. No appointment necessary.
Crisis Support

If you or someone you know is in crisis, see our What to Do in an Emergency pageÌýfor your first points of contact.

Additionally,Ìýthese organizations offer 24/7 crisis support:

  • Ìý- phone call &Ìýtexting
  • Ìý- texting, live chat, & WhatsApp
  • Ìý(LGBTQ+)Ìý- phone call, texting, & live chat
  • - offers links to more emergency support resources

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Sexual Health & Safety

Attitudes, norms, and laws related to sex and relationships can differ greatly across cultures and countries, and it is important to be aware of these differences, whether you are sexually active or not.

Before You Depart

  • Research cultural norms, laws, and attitudes related to sex, dating, relationships, and contraception in your host country.
  • Be mindful that acceptance of same-sex couples or interracial couples can vary around the world, even within a single country.
  • Physical acts of intimacyÌý(such as hugging orÌýhand-holding) may mean different thingsÌýoutside the U.S.
  • Know your own sexual health and get a medical check-up to help protect yourself and others.ÌýHealth & Wellness Services has a lot of good resources on this.
  • Try to bring enough contraceptive prescriptions, such as birth control, for the entire duration of your program and review theÌýTaking Medications AbroadÌýsection.
  • Bring other non-prescription forms of contraceptives as they may not be readily available abroad and quality standards may vary.

While Abroad

  • Be aware that appropriate and expected behavior with regards to dating differs from culture to culture.
  • Have a clear sense of what you want and don’t want, and communicate this and any boundaries to a potential partner. Language barriers and cultural expectations can make this communication more difficult, but only increases its importance.
  • Review theÌýTechnology & Communication page for information related to using dating apps abroad.
  • Make plans to meet a potential romantic interestÌýfor the first time (or before you know them well) in public spaces, such as a busy restaurant or cafe, and arrange for your own transportation to and from that location. Tell a friend where you're going and when to expect you back and consider sharing your live location with them via a phone app.
  • If you ever experience unwelcome or unwanted behaviors such asÌýsexual harassment, sexual assault, or emotional or physical abuse, contact your program staff or Education Abroad.