International Travel Tips for KUMC Students

Important information for senior KUMC health care students who are planning clinical electives abroad:

Visas

The Office of International Programs will advise you if a visa is necessary and will provide information on how one can be obtained. Some countries will allow US citizens to stay up to 90 days on their passports.

Health/Malpractice Insurance

Determine what your personal health insurance covers when you are abroad and take copies of your card and policy with you. At least one month prior to departure, you will need to purchase medical evacuation and repatriation insurance from Lewer Agency through the Office of International Programs. The cost is $25.00/month.

If you have either of the student health insurance plans or have purchased an International Student ID you already have these insurances.

Staying Healthy

Once you arrive at your rotation site, allow yourself time to acclimate. Do not think you have to eat all the food that is offered. Eat well-cooked food, peeled, and/or properly treated (with iodine) fruits and vegetables. Upon arrival, determine the portability of the water and identify sources of portable water if necessary. Avoid drinking unsafe water and using ice cubes. Bottled soft drinks, brewed coffee, and brewed tea are usually safe.

A large number of serious injuries overseas are related to traffic accidents. You should always be acutely aware of safety considerations while traveling by public or private transportation, as well as while walking. In countries where traffic moves on the left side, unaccustomed pedestrians often neglect to look both ways when crossing streets.

Universal Precautions

Standards for precautions overseas against blood-borne pathogens will be very different from what you are accustomed to in the US. You should follow Universal Precautions and treat blood and other body fluids of all patients as infectious.

• Wear gloves
• Always wash hands
• Cover wounds, scrapes and sores
• Clean up spills promptly
• Dispose of waste properly, as possible
• Take precaution when handling needles and syringes;
  the availability of disposable syringes overseas is very limited.

For more specific information and for the geographical distribution of potential health hazards, please consult the CDC website.

Required/Recommended Immunizations:

Student Health will help determine what you will need. Please be sure to check at least two months prior to departure.

On Site

• Notify your KUMC advisor upon arrival and be sure s/he has your contact information. 
• Give yourself a period of orientation and acclimation. 
• Resist the temptation of thinking you can save the day. 
• Keep yourself from situations for which you are not trained. 
• Expect some level of loneliness, frustration and communication problems. 
• View obstacles as learning experiences. 
• Get to know the people with whom you are working. 
• Respect the customs and health practices of the people with whom you are working. 
• Expect the unexpected. 
• Remember, your health is the most important thing. Practice caution while working, eating and traveling.