Tips for Traveling with Disabilities or Health Issues

Some countries and cities are more accessible than others. When deciding where to study abroad, do some research about the destination. Are buildings required to have access ramps and/or elevators? Is public transportation accessible to your needs? Are roads paved, cobblestone, or dirt? Will you be able to get your medications in the host country? It’s important to consider these things in addition to the academic program.

Build a support network. There is great value in making friends who will stand by you and support you when you feel ill. Find a friend in each class. Become close with your roommate. Having supportive friends can make the experience abroad more manageable, accessible, and enjoyable.

Along those same lines, have an open line of communication with your professors and your program director. Let them know how you are doing, what you need, and what would make the experience more feasible for you. They will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Two women converse while sitting on rocks adjacent to a body of water

Learn medical terminology in your host country’s language. If you can express how you feel and what your body is going through, you can better receive the medical help you may need. 

Find out the names of any prescriptions you may take in your host country. Some medications go by different names in different countries. If you will be receiving refills while abroad, be sure to know what to ask for from the pharmacist. It’s also a good idea to have a note from your doctor listing and describing all your medications (both in English and your host language).

Call venues ahead of time to see if they are accessible for your needs. If you are going out and are worried the destination may not be able to suit your needs, give them a call and find out. Call restaurants and ask if they can accommodate your food allergy. Ask if a building has an elevator. You can even ask what the venue is like so you can determine what support-gear or mobility device you may need. If the venue cannot meet your exact needs, they may be able to work out some other type of accommodation.

Rest and take care of your health. Being in a new place is exciting, and it is incredibly tempting to want to fill every minute. However, you will have a much better experience if you also take care of your body. You will miss out on more if you are only functioning at half-capacity. Take siestas, say no to late nights every now and again, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat well, and exercise (if applicable). Your experience abroad will be so much better if your health is a priority.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You will not get the assistance you need if you don’t ask for it. Talk to your professors, your friends, people you meet. They can offer assistance and are often quite willing to do so.