Tag: Europe

Down with the Sickness?

Published on by mirandablankLeave a comment

Background information: I have a horribly lacking immune system, so here are some words on how to cope when really feeling ill in another country.

The first time I started feeling sick (yeah, I have been sick multiple times… leave me alone) I kept pushing myself to do more things over the weekend and accomplish everything on my list instead of taking a break to feel better. Pro-tip: if you don’t rest, it will get worse. The minute you really start feeling like that stomach ache is getting suspicious or whatnot, park yourself down, start drinking more than the usual amount of water, and only do as much as you feel you can. The main mistake that people make while studying abroad is pushing themselves too far, or pretending they aren’t sick so that they can have more fun on the weekends. This means that you will miss classes and ultimately have more work to do for the next weekend. Rest while you can, and recover quickly. (also the usual LIQUIDS tip that everyone has… lots of liquids.)

So as for the practical packing tips- what medication should you bring, and what should you expect abroad?

World-Travel-Packing-Tips-–-Tim-Ferriss

In my personal experience in Hungary you can expect the same types of medications as are in the US, but the issue of translations can certainly get in the way. For the sake of fewer worries (and not having to make trips to the store while actually sick) here are a few absolute basics that will be handy in case of any emergencies:

  • Dayquil/Nyquil (help with congestion, sleep and basic cold symptoms. Have plenty with you- the Common cold is the most Common issue)
  • Ibuprofen  or Advil (for basically any other pain-related issue)
  • Pepto Bismol (for any basic stomach issue)
  • Benadryl  (can help with sleep but also any allergic reactions you may have- if you are not prone to allergies then don’t worry about it as much, but it can still be great as a backup)
  • Immodium (“gut glue” anti-diarrhea)

…and any other medication suited to your particular needs. I brought along melatonin sleep aid for the first day or so as well as for travel issues.

As for doctors’ appointments abroad, I can only really tell you about my friend’s experiences in Hungary. Medication is cheap, and the doctors are kind. But you do have to have a translator along, someone you can trust. Usually there is someone in your schools adviser department who will be willing. Prices vary, but for one friend she got three different prescriptions for thirty dollars, and another friend had a much more serious doctor’s appointment for only 60 dollars. Hopefully you will never have to worry about this, but before you go to whichever country you are planning on, it is nice to ask your advisers about medical facilities to get a good idea of backup systems once you do get to the country.

For things like cuts and scratches (just to help with the easiest medical kit for abroad) I just brought medical tape. It works better than blister bandages and if you put a bit of gauze or fabric underneath it then it is an instant Band-Aid. Blister bandages don’t allow the wound to breathe and heal itself, and any time you remove a blister Band-Aid often times the skin goes with it. That’s why medical tape is optimal because it can breathe and it won’t necessarily remove skin with every replacement. Neosporin is also useful for these things.

OK so If I were to sum up the best first aid kit to take with you while traveling this is what it would be:

  • health
  • Dayquil/Nyquil
  • Ibuprofen
  • pepto bismol
  • Benadryl
  • Imodium
  • Sports Tape
  • Neosporin
  • Hand sanitizer
  • sunscreen/aloe
  • insect repellent (Depending where you are)
  • hydrocortisone
  • lozenges
  • any of your own personal medications
  • handkerchief

I know the last one is really odd but when I traveled in Japan it became a religion for me. It is always a good backup when bathrooms don’t have hand towels, or if someone gets a bloody nose or needs a quick injury fix. They may seem old-fashioned, but honestly they take up little to no space and you will be surprised how often you use it if you are willing.

I hope this list is helpful for you, leave comments if you think of any other useful items to have in your “snake bite kit,” as my mother calls it. You can also find lists like this online, lots of medical websites have suggestions, mine is just the dumbed-down version of what already exists.

Honestly I hope none of you will have to deal with being sick or ill abroad- but it is always good to have a backup.

-Miranda Blank, studying abroad in Budapest, Hungary – fall 2013

Blending in while abroad

Published on by DU AbroadLeave a comment

When traveling abroad people will notice your “American-ness,” regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The simple fact is that this country leaves an indelible mark on you, from your sense of style, actions, mannerisms or political viewpoint that will be “tells” indicating your foreignness.

In no way am I trying to attack individuality, it has just been my experience that there are some things that stick out in me that indicate I am from the U.S. I have had the unique opportunity to travel to 18 different countries. My mother is Mexican-American and my father is Afro-Jamaican. I always thought that my racial ambiguity would be a sort of shield in traversing the globe; believing it protected me from American stereotypes, which can cause challenges or misunderstandings. In many respects, this has been the case. For instance, it is much easier for me to walk down the streets of Kingston, Jamaica as a “brown” male, regardless of my heritage, when compared to a “white” female.

However, this has not always been the case. One instance in particular, while traveling on a crowded bus through the Andes, let me know just how telling my “Americaness” was. I am very self-conscious about my Spanish; it is not very good and my accent is very noticeably American. As a result, I try never to speak too loudly in public settings, and limit how much I say so I don’t stand out. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I could easily be mistaken as a resident of any number of countries in the region. However,  in this instance, I was called out by one of the traveling salesman that hop on and off the bus at every stop, as he referred to me as “Yankee” without me doing or saying anything.

This was not the first and probably won’t be the last time I will be viewed as an American without displaying any obvious indicators. But, I have found ways to limit the exposure of those “tells,” regardless of who you are:

  1. Don’t bring white name-brand sneakers. Shoes are a luxury in much of the world. If you are lucky enough to have two pairs, one is designated for everyday living and the other for church or other formal engagements. Wearing nice white sneakers are a dead giveaway that you are a foreigner and have the means to afford a shoe that gets dirty quickly.
  2. Keep your University of Denver shirts, hoodies and sweatpants at home-You are basically wearing a big sign on your chest that indicates where you are from, your age and why you are there. Also, this attire is informal, which is odd in much of the world.
  3. Keep your voice down-Yes, it is true, Americans are loud and very opinionated. There’s nothing wrong with this fact, however, there is a time and place for everything and sitting on a quite bus is no place to complain about a lack of facilities, or being hungry, or feeling “gross.”
  4.  Walk upright and be confident-Of course you are unsure about where you are going and what you are doing. Who wouldn’t be in a foreign country with a foreign language? The point is that nobody else needs to know. Be confident in your direction and walk down the street with a sense of purpose.  Aggressive vendors love tourists who have wandering eyes and walk a stop-and-go pace. 

– Pablo Hester, DUSA Graduate Peer Advisor