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Five Key Considerations About Traveling Abroad
For many people, preparing for an international trip means making flight and hotel arrangements, converting currency, and purchasing a foreign phrase book. However, there are five key things a person should consider before going abroad. These concerns could make a significant difference during international travel.
Medical emergencies can occur at any time, in any place. At MEDEX, we routinely work with people who have been in car accidents, suffered strokes, and experienced heart attacks thousands of miles away from home. When planning a trip abroad, take into consideration your current health status – is there anything that you need to prepare for? Also consider health factors that are influenced by the location, such as malaria, or by the travel experience itself. Changes in time zones, as well as changes in diet, can cause health issues while traveling. Are you prepared to cope with the dehydration that can accompany traveler’s diarrhea, the most common medical emergency among all travelers? Identifying a hospital close to your destination can be one way to prepare for such concerns. Knowing who to call for help is another way to address these issues.
Just as language and currency varies around the world, so does medical care. Major international healthcare concerns typically involve the clinical aspects of treatment, including the technology available and the training of the medical staff. Cultural practices of medicine can also play a significant role in the expectations of medicine. In some locations, basic patient care, such as bathing and feeding, is expected to be handled by family members. This can be a problem for the lone traveler. Language barriers also have an impact on healthcare. How will you know what the doctors are doing to you – or even what’s wrong with you?
Another concern about international healthcare is the issue of cost. Many foreign providers require payment upfront, and many domestic health insurance companies will not pay directly to foreign providers. This can leave a traveler in an emergency situation faced with having to locate funding for expensive treatment. Are your travelers prepared to take urgent, sometimes extreme, steps to finance their healthcare costs?
International travelers face a variety of potential security emergencies, ranging from stolen wallets to outbreaks of war. Recognize which safety and security threats are prominent in your destination and have a plan for coping with such situations. Violent crime, political and social instability, and terrorism are common around the world. Assistance companies such as MEDEX, travel guides, and reputable websites have information about specific threats for locations around the world. Research your destination thoroughly before departing.
For the most part, safety precautions that should be used while traveling are common sense. Lock your hotel door, have a person with whom you maintain regular contact, and be aware of your surroundings. Keep in mind that what may be considered as harassment in one culture may be perfectly acceptable behavior in another. If you are ever caught in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, leave the area immediately.
When the incident extends beyond basic personal security – when it is an act of war, terrorism, or natural disaster – it helps to be ready ahead of time. While such events are seldom predictable, it may be necessary for you to contact the nearest embassy or consulate for immediate assistance. Having a plan to leave the country, even if it is as simple as calling an assistance company, can make a difference during such a situation.
While some differences in culture are easily perceived – basic customs, food, language, etc. – others may not be learned until you are immersed in the society. Perceptions of gender vary throughout the world, as do traditions regarding acceptable dress, alcohol consumption, and holidays. Local laws also may have an affect on travelers. Be prepared to address such issues while traveling abroad. Researching your location prior to departure can easily resolve many of these issues.
If you would like to learn how MEDEX can protect your travelers’ health and safety abroad, please contact us.
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