Preparation for Study Abroad

1. Preparation for Study Abroad Practicalities, Environment, Money, Safety

2. On-line Assistance • Immunizations, etc.: WWW.CDC.GOV/TRAVEL • Visas: Dept. of State, Zierer Visa Service http://www.zvs.com/ • Insurance: trip insurance, health insurance, evacuation insurance—student health • US Consular Service: safety, warnings, politics: http://travel.state.gov • Center for Global Education:Cultural issues www.lmu.edu/globaled

3. Travel Arrangements • Know local laws, history, and customs: Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Blue Guide • Bring small gifts and photos • Get legal papers in order…wills, etc. • Credit and security: notify card companies you are traveling, know limits • Property insurance (renters, home, etc) • Itineraries and contact details: relatives, OIP, friends, mentors.

4. Travel Safety • Avoid connecting flights, travel light, no fanny packs or outside pockets, bring small locks • Learn essential language tidbits • Know where the embassy/consulate is and write down the phone number • Cell phone?

5. Money Safety • Money belt • Use small bills, travelers’ checks are sometime problematic • ATMs are everywhere, but watch your back • Hide spares, use small amount for robberies • Maximum two credit cards, get registry service • Don’t use black market currency exchange

6. Personal Safety • Where tourists gather, so do robbers • Travel in groups • Avoid night excursions and driving • Keep a low profile—stay away from protests • Avoid “friendly” strangers • Pickpockets (distraction, crowds, spills) • Don’t fight against robbery • If robbed, get a police report

7. Liability Issues • Proof of insurance is necessary prior to traveling on UCSF funds • Letter of agreement from host country • Understand specific risks (informed consent and indemnification?) • Altitude • Rabies • Political/terrorist • Unique precautions for women • CHR for ‘research’

8. Tylenol, ibuprofen PeptoBismol Cipro HC 2% cream Antifungal cream Wound care Decongestant Antihistamine Ambien Loperamide Anti-malarials Iodine/water purifier 3” Ace Bandages, tape Hypodermic needles Wipes Steri-strips Safety pins First Aid Kit

9. Other Supplies • Swiss Army Knife IN CHECKED LUGGAGE!!! (also nail clippers, scissors, and anything sharp) • Electrical adaptors (European, British) • Eyeglass fixit kit • Water-resistant flashlight, extra batteries • Extra eyeglasses and prescription

10. Dumb Things to Avoid • Drug use, inebriation • Photographing military facilities • Purchasing antiquities • Joking with security people • Sharps in carry on luggage • Going home with a new “friend” you meet at a bar • Doing favors for friendly strangers

11. Student Responsibilities • Learning Objectives: proposed, met, or not met; • Products: trip report, program development, relationships, future project; • Opportunities for students who follow you; • You are ambassadors for UCSF and US.

12. Trip Report • On line form at: http://www.medschool.ucsf.edu/intlprograms/pdf/StudentTripReport.doc • Component of searchable database for future students • Used for statistical analysis/evaluation

13. Area of Concentration in Global Health • Topics in International Health (Winter 2006) • Core course August block (along with Designing Clinical Research for Students) • Year away (MPH at Berkeley, other degree, custom designed experience, CDC or NIH fellowships) • Mentorship • Two-six months senior electives in international research or experience and writing sabbatical

14. Have a Good TIME!!!