• Are there parts of travel that make you nervous or you anticipate being a challenge (e.g., long flights, lack of support network, new cultures, language barriers, unfamiliar foods)? 
  • Action Item: Develop a list of steps you can complete before you travel to prepare for these challenges and create strategies for while you are traveling.
• Do you have any health or well-being concerns that could be hard to manage while traveling?
  • Action Item: Consider whether it’s the right time for you to travel, or if you need extra support to feel confident during your trip (as outlined below).

• Have you had any serious health conditions, injuries, or treatments in the past five years?
  • Action Item: Share your travel plans and healthcare needs with your treating physician or a healthcare provider (e.g., UHC for Ann Arbor students) before your trip. Discuss how to manage your condition while you are away, such as taking medication, maintaining support networks, or scheduling appointments with a healthcare professional.
• What do you need to successfully manage your physical health during travel (e.g., taking medication, seeing a healthcare professional in your host destination, maintaining personal networks, etc.)?
  • Action Item: Identify the specific steps you’ll take to address these needs. For example, plan to bring medications, set up remote consultations with a healthcare professional, or organize a support system to ensure you stay healthy during your trip.
• What do you need to prevent travel-related illness prior to and during your trip (vaccines, preventative medications, review of travel health notices based on your destination, etc.)?
  • Action Item: Consider scheduling a travel health consultation at the appropriate medical facility, preferably 6-8 weeks prior to travel, to receive necessary immunizations, prescriptions, and advice on food and water safety, bug bite prevention, etc. Options include: 
    • University Health and Counseling Travel Health Services (Ann Arbor)
    • Henry Ford’s Travel Health Clinic, Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Health Care, Walgreens, CVS Minute Clinic, Passport Health, or your healthcare provider.

• Are you currently being treated, or have you been treated during the last 5 years, for a mental health condition (e.g., addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorder, etc.)?
  • Action Item: Consider what you do at home or on campus to care for these conditions (e.g., medication, seeing a health professional, support networks, etc.).
• What do you need to manage your mental health and well-being during your travel experience?
  • Action Item:  Outline concrete steps to support your mental health needs.
  • Action Item: Familiarize yourself with mental health resources on your campus that you can access on-campus prior to departure and while on site:
    • Ann Arbor CAPS as well as accessing Uwill teletherapy or MiTalk online resources virtually
    • Dearborn CAPS
    • Flint CAPS
• Do you need to consult with a mental health professional at your destination for continued care or to refill a prescription?
  • Action Item: Review your options for connecting with mental health professionals in the “Resource” section of the Managing Mental Health Abroad Guide or the CDC’s Mental Health Resources page (domestic travel). Review the GeoBlue member guide regarding prescription requests outside the 50 U.S. states. 
• How would this condition be treated during an acute flare up; what coping strategies you have found helpful for it; and can you replicate this treatment or apply the coping strategies while traveling?
  • Action Item: Use Global Michigan’s Managing Mental Health Abroad Guide to develop a checklist for addressing your mental health needs, understand key travel stressors, and identify providers (e.g. using GeoBlue Global Wellness Assist abroad and making an appointment abroad using GeoBlue [see page 4 of the Member Guide]).
  • Action Item: Following General Emergency Protocols for U-M International Travelers or U-M DPSS Emergency Response for urgent situations, which may include going to an emergency room in the event urgent care is needed. Domestic travelers may use their own health insurance to cover expenses; international travelers may use GeoBlue for DirectPay or reimbursement of expenses.

• Are you currently taking any medication or planning to take any medication in your host destination? 
  • Action Item: List all your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (e.g., insulin, birth control, allergy meds, etc.). Then, figure out how much of each you’ll need for your trip.
  • Action Item: Look up the names and, if necessary, translations or local brand names for your medications in your destination language.
• Are these medications available in your host location/country? Are there any legal restrictions? Some medications which are common in the United States (such as Adderall, Ritalin, Sudafed, codeine, tramadol, etc.) may be restricted, especially for international travel.
  • Action Item: These resources can assist you in determining the legality or availability of your medications outside the U.S.:
    • See Traveling Abroad with Medicine for guidance, which includes calling the Embassy or Consulate of each country you will be visiting (for international travel). For domestic travel, check state-specific regulations if necessary.
    • Check the  International Narcotics Control Board, which provides general information about narcotics and controlled substances for countries that have information available. 
    • Contact GeoBlue using the Pre-departure Program to determine if a particular medication is available in the destination(s). It is possible that a medication is available in a country but bringing the medication through customs may be illegal.
    • Search for your medications on the GeoBlue Students Drug Equivalents Guide.

• Do you have any drug, food, or other allergies (e.g., medications, gluten, nuts, shellfish, bee stings, wool, etc.)? If yes, what are your reactions if exposed?
  • Action Item: Determine how likely you will be to encounter these allergens in your host destination/s. Outline steps that you will take to minimize the risk of exposure and/or plan for treatment.  
  • Action Item: Assess if you will be able to manage your allergies safely in this location or is traveling to another location more prudent.  
• Will meals be provided for you by a program leader or on-site host?
  • Action Item: Determine how you will make your allergies known ahead of time to those coordinating your meals.

• Do you have any specific dietary needs (dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, kosher, vegetarian, etc.)? 
  • Action Item: Research your destination to determine how easy or difficult it will be to find foods that meet your needs.
• Will your main sources of nutrition be available?
  • Action Item: Consider packing some snacks or supplements just in case. (For international travel, check the destination country’s customs requirements for allowable food items. For domestic travel, check airline or train policies regarding food.)
• Will meals be provided for you by a program leader or on-site host?
  • Action Item: Determine how you will make your dietary needs known ahead of time to those coordinating your meals.

• Do your destination(s) have required and/or recommended immunizations and prophylaxis (e.g. malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, altitude sickness, etc.)?
  • Action Item: Look up your destination on the CDC Traveler’s Health site (for both U.S. and international destinations) or refer to the destination’s health department.
  • Action Item: Keep a copy of your immunization record in case of a health emergency or for public health entry requirements.
• If you do not have these vaccinations and medications, how will you get them before departure?
  • Action Item: Schedule an appointment preferably 6-8 weeks prior to travel with the appropriate medical facility (see list of options in “Physical Health” section above) to receive necessary immunizations and prescriptions.

• Are you traveling to a destination where you may not speak the primary language?
  • Action Item: Develop what strategies you will use to explain your healthcare needs
  • Action Item: If needed, identify healthcare facilities where English-speaking professionals are available. Note: Medical facilities affiliated with GeoBlue should have English-speaking staff or your domestic insurance network may have language support services available.

• Do you have a condition that requires accommodations (e.g., physical, learning, hearing, or visual disabilities)? Do you receive support or accommodations on campus?
• • Action Item: If you receive accommodations on campus, consider what you might need while traveling and research if these services will be available at your destination. 
  • Action Item: Review the SSD’s Disability-related Accommodations while Abroad and relevant domestic resources page for more information. 
  • Action Item: Students are responsible for initiating the accommodations process and notifying the U-M office or person who is sponsoring travel of your accommodation needs and contacting contact the appropriate disability and accommodations office to determine next steps:
    • U-M Ann Arbor Services for Students with Disabilities
    • U-M Dearborn Disability and Accessibility Services
    • U-M Flint Disability & Accessibility Support Services

Having this information in one place can be helpful when seeking healthcare or emergency care:

• Health Care Provider Name: List the name of your regular healthcare provider (personal physician, group practice, etc.).
• Health Care Provider Office Contact Information: List the office phone number and email address of your regular healthcare provider.
• Health Care Provider Emergency Contact: List the after-hours emergency number for your healthcare provider.