By mtumasz
Hey guys, it’s Merideth again!
No matter what country you visit, or where you’re from, everyone is susceptible to getting sick. Whether it’s the common cold, the flu, allergies, injury, or something more serious, there’s always a chance for us to start feeling a little under the weather.
I’m not a doctor so please don’t take what I say as accurate medical advice; I’m just speaking from personal experience and what my friends have had to go through as well.
About a week after I got to New Zealand, I got acute tendonitis in my left foot, which means I was constantly at the doctor’s. I was at student health, a blood work office, and a Radiology office all within the same week. Luckily, for international students studying in New Zealand, student insurance covered almost every procedure I had to get. Don’t rely on this though. Check the specifics before you get wherever you are studying abroad. I had to pay upfront for my ultrasound and then get reimbursed, but all my medications were free!
On another note, getting sick with the common cold while you’re studying abroad definitely puts a damper on things. As obvious as it may sound, take proper precaution when cold and flu season starts to approach in your foreign country. Have plenty of orange juice and vitamin C around, keep tissues and hand sanitizer handy, and try your best to get plenty of sleep. You won’t be up for a hike or that awesome weekend adventure if you can’t breathe and your throat is on fire!
Doctor’s procedures and appointments might work differently than you’re used to, so don’t freak out if something seems out of the ordinary and just trust the employees. They are there to help you and if you’re polite and ask questions, they aren’t going to get irritated.
Hope this helps everyone who is thinking of studying abroad! Stay healthy!