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> Adjusting
to Your New Home
> Campus
Health Clinics
> Family
Medical Care
Adjusting to Your New Home
When traveling abroad, you always have to be ready for extreme
or unfamiliar conditions. You might have an upset stomach
or other digestive problems in the first few days as your
body gets adapted to the climate and the food. It is even
common to catch a cold. You may also have trouble adapting
to the altitude if you are going to a mountainous area. Even
the most seasoned travelers and the fittest athletes have
to deal with these problems when they leave their country.
These discomforts can, however, be controlled. Here are a
few tips to help you adjust.
- Take it easy for the first few days or a week. Your body
will need to rest if it is to adapt to local conditions.
- Get enough sleep.
- Wash your hands often and avoid rubbing your eyes in order
not to come in contact and be infected with various viruses.
- Medication for headaches, colds, upset stomach, minor
injuries, and other ailments is readily available in the
United States. It is not always advisable to bring medication
from home into the United States since some restrictions
apply. The pharmacist at any drugstore can assist you in
finding medication for your needs.
- If you are going to a warm area, wear a hat on sunny days
to avoid sunstroke, use sunscreen to protect your skin against
sunburn, and drink a lot of liquids (nonalcoholic and without
caffeine) to prevent dehydration.
- Contact your international student adviser to find the
location of the nearest medical clinic. Most universities
maintain a health clinic on campus.
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Campus Health Clinics
Most colleges and universities in the United States have a
clinic, an infirmary, or some other form of health care service
for students, though usually not for their families. The "health
fee" the student pays each term goes toward providing
such services. Therefore, the services provided are often
free or offered at a greatly reduced cost. Usually, however,
university health services are limited to minor and emergency
care. In case of a serious health problem, the university
normally refers the student to a medical facility in the community,
and the student, or his or her insurance, pays the costs.
Your college or university should send you materials that
discuss health care services and fees involved. If you do
not receive such material, be sure to write and ask your international
student adviser for this information before you leave your
home country.
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Family Medical Care
If you are traveling with your spouse and/or family, you will
need to find another source for medical care. Care for the
family is available from doctors in private medical practice
or through community medical clinics. It is a good idea to
establish a relationship with a doctor shortly after you arrive
in the United States so you will have ready access to medical
care if you, your spouse, or your children should become ill.
Family doctors (also called "primary care physicians"
or "general practitioners") provide medical care
for the whole family, as well as deliver babies. Many doctors
specialize in family-related areas. For example, obstetricians
specialize in prenatal care and deliver babies. Often, an
obstetrician is also a gynecologist, a specialist who treats
women. Pediatricians care for infants and children. Family
doctors often refer patients to specialists for treatment
of particular conditions. Ask friends, the student health
service, or the international student adviser for recommendations
of doctors in your community. When you telephone for an appointment,
ask how much the doctor charges for services. Make sure you
know which medical services your health insurance covers and
which it does not. For more information on types of health
care plans and health insurance, read the section on "Health
Insurance."
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