Health and Safety

UConn Travel Clinic:

The UConn Travel Clinic, 860-486-9494, provides information on immunizations and/or shots necessary for travel in certain areas of the world and other pertinent health information. Further questions or concerns should be directed towards a family doctor. Students with medical conditions should discuss possible affects of a study abroad experience with their doctor. A Health Information Form in which you have the option of disclosing medical information to the Office of Study Abroad and to your Resident Director (for UConn programs) is required post acceptance. We strongly encourage you to submit an equivalent form to your third party provider, if this applies to you.

Prescriptions & Medications: If you take prescription medicine, you should research whether it is available in your host country and bring a copy of the prescription for the generic name of the drug. In developed countries, you will need to take only an initial supply of the medication; in most developing countries, you will want to take a supply that will last your entire stay. Make sure all medications are in your carry-on.

If you regularly use any over-the-counter remedies, you may want to take an initial or full-year?s supply  For customs purposes, take all medicines in their original containers. 

Medical Assistance

Students should not hesitate to inform their Resident Director, third party provider or host family of any medical problem.

Tips for staying safe:

• Know about local safety conditions. Students should do their homework before traveling.

• Avoid poorly lit places and walking alone. Stick to well-traveled streets and try to walk in groups at night. Students should be especially cautious when in a new city and not yet sure what parts of town may be less safe.

• Don't carry valuables, even in a backpack, or locked luggage. If you must carry cameras, radios, etc. don't leave them unattended.

• Don't flaunt wallets, purses, or cameras. Wear a money belt concealed under clothing.

• Use alcohol sparingly and be aware that drinking even a small amount could increase your vulnerability to crime.  Drink responsibly!

• Leave expensive or expensive-looking jewelry at home.

• Be on the offensive, rather than the defensive. Be aware of the surroundings.

• Avoid political demonstrations, large crowds and gatherings.

• Let Resident Director and/or on-site staff know if you are traveling during, before or after the program.

• Integrate into the host culture as much as possible?clothing, mannerisms, language.

• Be careful to not give out information about your group to strangers (i.e., don?t carelessly discard information about your classmates? addresses & telephone numbers).

• Be aware of what is going on.

• Have phone numbers of program contacts handy at all times.

• Know how to reach a doctor, a hospital or clinic, and the police in the country in which you are traveling.

• Have sufficient funds or a credit card on hand for emergencies.