Parental guide

Moving to a new place changes your life completely. For any family this can be a time of chaos. Your life is full of adventure and excitement with a flavor of newness in it and a bit of confusion. You have find out places where you will get your daily household commodities like grocery, to discover new roads, new schools and new people. It is always fun to reorganize everything for some people and for some it is tiring. You have to make new friends, meet new neighbors and establish new systems of support and help.

Here are some of the guidelines that your parent will always give you when you are about to leave for a new place and a new country.

• Learn about the specific health risks of your destination overseas and obtain vaccinations from a qualified physician
• Visit your primary care physician and dentist and obtain all medical histories/records
• Select an English-speaking, qualified physician in your destination and arrange an introductory appointment
• Translate the names of prescription medications you use
• Pack medications, a first aid kit and a reference book about common medical conditions and their treatment
• Understand the healthcare system in the destination country
• Master the local medical lingo
• Develop a contingency plan for serious illness overseas
• Prepare for the psychological aspects of life abroad, including culture adjustment and culture shock
• Recognize that despite significant variations in the delivery of healthcare services, the U.S. way is not the only effective way
• Evaluate your international health insurance benefits.