5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Plenary 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. Refreshments 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Student Ambassador Scenarios 7:30 – 7:45

Welcome to Pre-Departure Orientation For Medicine students Sept 27, 2012 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Plenary 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. Refreshments 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Student Ambassador Scenarios 7:30 – 7:45 p.m. Break 7:45 – 9:15 p.m. Clinical Realities 9:15 – 9:30 p.m. Workshop Evaluation

Speakers Robyn WiltshireDirectorOffice of InternationalEducationMcGill University Sylvie Fafard Deputy Director Outreach and Partnership Programs Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) Pierre-Paul Tellier MD Director McGill Student Health Services Associate Professor Family Medicine McGill University Carla Jensen International Education Admin. Office of International Education McGill University

Canadian Consular Services Sylvie Fafard Deputy Director, Outreach and Partnership Programs Consular, Security and Emergency Management Branch Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)

Canadian Consular Services Your best source of safe-travel advice and information

In this presentation… Overview of the Canadian Consular Services- role- services - tools Smart-travel tips Questions?

What is the role of Canadian Consular Services? Prevention - To help Canadians prepare for foreign travel Assistance - To provide services and help to all Canadians abroad - To coordinate the Government of Canada’s response to international emergencies affecting Canadians abroad

Who we are… More than 260 Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates in over 150 countries worldwide Q: What is the difference between an embassy, a high commission and a consulate?

Embassy: in the capital city of another country (Washington D.C., Paris, Brasilia) High commission: in the capital city of a Commonwealth country (London, Canberra, New Delhi) Consulate: in a major but not capital city (Los Angeles, Nice, Rio de Janeiro)

Who we are… Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa Assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Call collect to 613 996-8885 or e-mail sos@international.gc.ca

Consular officials in Canadian offices abroad and in Ottawa are there to… Assist in medical emergencies by providing a list of local doctors and hospitals Transfer emergency funds ($) Contact next of kin in case of emergency Provide assistance in case of missing persons

Consular officials in Canadian offices abroad and in Ottawa are there to… Assist victims of robbery or other violence Seek to ensure that Canadians are treated fairly under the country’s laws if arrested or detained Replace lost or stolen passports ($) Notarize certain Canadian documents ($)

Consular officials do not provide the following services: Perform marriage ceremonies Store personal effects Accept mail on your behalf Assist with job or apartment hunting Get you out of prison

A bit more on the prison issue… 1,800 Canadians currently imprisoned abroad Most of them for drug-related offences And most of them are in… the United States The rest are in prisons in almost 100 other countries

Your basic tool kit For travelling and studying abroad

travel.gc.ca

Risk levels and Travel Warnings

Registration of Canadians Abroad Who should register? All Canadians travelling or living abroad Why? So that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, or to inform you of a family emergency at home

Smart-travel publications

Before you go… Learn about your destination What documents do you need? Valid passport Student visa Work permit Proof of AIDS testing Certificate of vaccination International driver’s licence

Travel YOUR way, the SMART way! Travel health insurance: don’t leave without it! Protect your passport. Make photocopies of all your travel documents Prescription medication and syringes: yes, but… Dual citizenship: is it an issue? Illegal drugs: Zero Tolerance Local culture and laws: learn ahead of time

Contact us General information 1-800-267-6788 (Canada and U.S.) or 613-944-6788 travel@international.gc.ca Emergencies 613-996-8885 (call collect from abroad) sos@international.gc.ca travel.gc.ca

Questions?... Thank you / Merci Bon voyage!

Pierre-Paul Tellier MD Director, McGill Student Health Services Associate Professor, Family Medicine McGill University Personal Health Abroad

Getting Ready Getting a physical and filling a form Often required Not paid by any provincial Medicare program or Blue Cross for international students May include laboratory tests Cost for physical Cost for tests Cost for filling form Deal at Student Health Get an appointment early Not a priority for anyone except you! Doctors hate forms!

Getting Ready Vaccines Depends on country/ies to be visited Know exactly where you are going Some may have to be given a month or so before departure so plan accordingly Same rule applies as for forms Only a priority for you All vaccines at Student Health except Japanese encephalitis Rabies At cost Need nursing appointments SSMU plan ($300.00/year)

Getting Ready Medications Traveler's diarrhea Vaccine exists Bismuth subsalicylate - Pepto-bismol (only if not allergic to aspirin) Imodium Antibiotics just in case 1% hydrocortisone cream for rash Antihistamine Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprophen Antibiotic ointment Malaria pills Altitude sickness medication

Getting Ready If you take medication Make sure you have enough Carry all medication in original bottles with original label from pharmacy If syringes are needed make sure you have enough for entire trip – have certificate from doctor Some OTC meds legal in Canada may not be in other countries Contact embassy of country where you are travelling to make sure meds you are carrying are legal where you are going

Medical Kit Previously mentioned medications Sterile dressing Insect repellant – DEET > 30% Insecticide spray for clothes, camping gear and mosquito nets – Permethrin Sunscreen > Spf 15 – water resistant Thermometer Disposable gloves Syringes and needles Mosquito nets Portable water filter

Drugs A no-no Unless you want a jail cell to be your residence abroad Be careful of your luggage Pack your own Don’t bring anything for anyone else

GLBTQ Not everyone is open minded Check the local regulations Is it legal where you are going? Being militant at home may be a good thing but not in another country Amnesty International web site good source of information

On the plane or driving for long distances Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis Not common in young people but can happen Drink plenty of fluid Don’t sit for long periods Walk around Avoid alcohol, caffeine May manifest up to 2 weeks after a flight Seek medical advice Pain and swelling of legs Sudden chest pain Sudden shortness of breath Same applies for hemorrhoids – not as serious but sure a pain in the but!

Eating While There Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it! Best rules Avoid salads or raw vegetables Drink bottle water, filtered water, or treated water Boil water Clean filters with small pores Chlorination may not be enough Iodine-containing water purification tablets Ice cubes are not in bottles Hot recently cooked food Wash hands before eating! Your mother told you to do this!

Diarrhea Rehydration Various solution but not simple water unless you eat something salty with it Take the pepto-bismol, imodium or loperamide that you brought Take your antibiotics If Last more than a week Bloody Fever Seek medical attention

Heat Stroke Wear loose fitting clothing, light color Avoid prolong exposure to direct sun light Certain medications may be a problem Check before you leave Alcohol is one of those Drink fluids regularly Heat stroke faintness, nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature, headache, gooseflesh, chills, overbreathing, muscle cramps, unsteady gait If you have these get medical help

Altitude Sickness Can’t predict who will get it Above 8,000 feet a concern Climb slowly and acclimatize May take 3 – 5 days start at 6,000 – 8,000 feet Take acetazolamide (diamox) No alcohol Symptoms: headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, and more

Malaria Protection Mosquito repellent Early evening worse Mosquito nets while sleeping Take your pills!

Sex Don’t have it STIs Pregnancy At the very least use a condom!

Mental Health Culture shock Don’t underestimate it If you are not coping talk to someone you trust

Coming Back Don’t bring back anything you shouldn’t Drugs Endangered species Diseases

Seeing a doctor when you come back Diarrhea, stomach cramps STI check – if had sex If have unusual episodes of fever Unusual rashes Any thing else that is weird and that you are worried about

Resources http://www.voyage.gc.ca http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ http://www.amnesty.org

Managing your Success Abroad Carla Jensen International Education Administrator Office of International Education McGill University

Participation in pre-departure orientation. Remember to sign the attendance form in your break-out session Approval by your academic unit or research supervisor. Completion of a travel registry form. Once your activity has been approved, a travel registry form will be created on Minerva. Find your travel registry Minerva or check with your Departmental or Faculty Student Affairs office for details. McGill Travel Guidelines

Students going abroad are required to complete the online Travel Registry which can be accessed via Minerva.

Prior to departure: Verify your faculty’s requirements for recognizing activities for credit During your stay: If you encounter changes while abroad, you must communicate these changes to your academic advisor. Academic Credit

The overall cost of living abroad may be higher than Montreal. Be sure to budget for emergencies (contingency fund) Finances Prepare a Budget Money & Banking Obtain some foreign currency before departure Take more than one source of money with you Make arrangements with your bank to use your ATM card abroad Advise your credit card company that you will be away Financial Aid Students with financial need can consult the Scholarships and Student Aid Office: http://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/ Possible funding opportunities: Travel (Mobility) awards, External Awards , Student Aid.

Insurance Students are fully responsible to ensure that they are sufficiently covered during their stay abroad. Provincial or territorial health insurance plans for extended stays: To ensure continued coverage, students must contact their regional health insurance provider (e.g. Regie de l’assurancemaladie du Quebec) before they leave. General Information

Insurance Does your policy include: Emergency Health Coverage? Emergency Evacuation Coverage? Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation and Interruption? What is not included? Limitations and Restrictions Exclusions and Caveats Consequences of Travel Warnings and Advisories Travel Health Policy Coverage

Insurance Canadian Students: ASEQ (www.ihaveaplan.ca) Only for students who have not opted-out International Students: Extended health insurance for study away programs now available Students must complete an online registration form available on ISS website: www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/health/study-away-program For more information contact international.health@mcgill.ca All students: TravelCuts Bon Voyage Policy Options

Examples of restrictions: “Sickness, injury or medical condition you suffer in a specific country or area for which the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Government has issued a travel advisory or formal notice before your departure date.” “Your participation in and/or voluntary exposure to any risk from: war or act of war, whether declared or undeclared; invasion or act of foreign enemy; declared or undeclared hostilities; civil war, riot, rebellion; revolution or insurrection; act of military power; or any service in the armed forces.” Insurance Policy Restrictions and Travel Warnings

Be sure to ask whether your policy: Continues to provide benefits after a travel advisory has been issued. Includes an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour emergency hotline. Covers doctor’s visits and prescription medicines. Pays for hospitalization and related medical costs. Provides direct payment of bills and cash advances abroad. Covers emergency transportation, such as ambulance services. Provides for medical evacuation to Canada. Pays for a medical escort to accompany you during evacuation. Covers pre-existing medical conditions (get an agreement in writing). Covers emergency dental care. Excludes any countries or regions you intend to visit. Insurance Policy Coverage

Be Prepared… When you arrive, locate the nearest reputable clinic or hospital. Ensure that you are familiar with how your policy works. Carry details of your insurance policy and emergency hotline with you. Tell a friend or relative at home, and in your host country how to contact your insurer on your behalf. In case of an emergency… Get a detailed invoice for services obtained before you leave. Always submit original receipts for medical services or prescriptions received. Insurance While Abroad…

Culture shock is a common experience. Research your host country: History and current political situation living conditions and cultural norms. Know which languages are spoken. Center for Intercultural Learning Country Insights: provides information on countries’ characteristics and provides useful insights on cultural perspectives. www.intercultures.ca Cultural Awareness

During Your Stay Check-in: let a relative at home know when you have safely arrived. Emergency Contact: Leave a copy of your emergency contact information with your host institution. Updates: send regular updates to your emergency contact at home to let them know how you are doing. Email: Ensure that you check your McGill email regularly.

Emergency Plan In case of an emergency… Who would you contact first, second, and third? Where is the nearest hospital and police station? What steps do you need to take to ensure that costs will be covered by insurance? Will you have access to a cell phone? How much emergency money will you carry on you? If you had to leave the country, what would be the first, second, third things that you would do to accomplish this?

Keep the following documents in a safe place, separate from originals. Also leave a copy with a relative at home. Photocopy of your passport identification page. Photocopy of any visas or work permits you require. Phone number and policy number of your insurance provider. A copy of your “Emergency plan of action”. Emergency Contact information. Flight details/itinerary. Local embassy’s contact information McGill Campus Security 24/7 emergency number (514-398-3000) DFAIT 24/7 emergency number (Call collect: 613-996-8885) Safe Travel Tool Kit

Before you leave: Complete McGill’s Travel Registry on Minerva. Check the passport and visa requirements for your host country. Consult your insurance provider. Photocopy important documents (e.g. passport, itinerary). Contact a travel health clinic. Prepare a budget. Learn about your destination country. Put your credit cards, ATM cards in order. Register with the local embassy/consulate. Understand your responsibilities to McGill and your host institution. Summary

Before you go… Before the Break-out Session: Refreshments will be served on the 1st floor of the Leacock Building for the next 15 minutes At your Break-out Session, please turn in: Plenary evaluation form (back of the agenda in your info packet) Break-out session evaluation form

Break-Out Session Locations Breakout Session A: LEA 429 Breakout Session B: LEA 517 Breakout Session C: LEA 721 Note: Students completing electives or rotations only in the United States or Canada are not required to attend a breakout session. Please speak with the event staff to confirm your attendance.

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Plenary 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. Refreshments 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Student Ambassador Scenarios 7:30 – 7:45