Health and Safety
Research
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety during an overseas trip is to research the country to which you will be traveling, so you can better understand the health and safety issues that you may encounter. Illness, crime, civil unrest, natural disasters and terrorism are issues which might affect your stay. Pay particular attention to the crime issues. While street violence may be rare, muggings and theft can be quite common in larger cities, and you should know how the locals protect themselves from being victims. Do everything you can to make sure you are not one of them!
The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs offers helpful country profiles which describe safety and health concerns. You can access these profiles at http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_consular.html. The State Department also offers safety tips at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.
Embassy Registration
Georgia Tech requires all students to register with the nearest U.S. or their home Embassy or Consulate online before departure or upon arrival in person. The registration process allows the embassy or consulate to contact you in case of emergency. We recommend that you also register with U.S. or your home embassy in other countries you may visit if your stay extends beyond one week. If you are a U.S. citizen, please go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html. For more information on services offered by the U.S. Embassy you can visit http://travel.state.gov/.
Immunizations/Health Information
You may not be allowed to enter a country if you don’t have the proper immunization(s).
Overseas Travel Clinic
Georgia Tech Student Health Services
Phone: (404)894-1420 or online at http://www.health.gatech.edu/
It is important for you to make sure that you have all necessary immunizations and/or vaccinations for your overseas experience. Georgia Tech’s Student Health Center has an Overseas Travel Clinic that provides all required and recommended immunizations needed for world travel. The Overseas Travel Clinic continuously monitors guidelines and advisories issued by the Centers for Disease Control for vaccination recommendations, for precise preventive regimens for malaria, and for all other health risks for the international traveler. Visit the Overseas Travel Clinic well in advance of your trip to find out what, if any, immunizations and/or vaccinations you will need before you begin your travels. For more information on the GT Travel Clinic, visit the website: http://www.health.gatech.edu/.
If the U.S. Health Service requires a shot that you didn’t obtain, you may be quarantined upon your return to the U.S. You should make sure that your tetanus shot is updated.
You are advised to consult the web site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC provides extensive information for travelers, including health information for specific destinations and information on outbreaks, vaccinations, and safe food and water. You should also review the U.S. State Department’s “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad”.
If you are taking any prescription medications with you, we advise you to take enough for the duration of your stay. Be sure to take them in their original containers so that if you are asked about them as you go through customs, you will be able to show what the drugs are and that they were prescribed by a physician.
