Read advice on travel and vaccinations, and learn how to complete a risk assessment.
Travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website provides travel advice by country.
It covers:
- safety and security
- local laws and customs
- entry requirements
- health and natural disasters
- other useful information.
We recommend you read the section related to your destination before you travel, during your stay abroad and before travelling to another part of the county or region. They also have a useful travel checklist.
You can also connect with FCDO advice on Facebook.
Healthcare advice
Before you submit your application, you should research how you would receive medical treatment in the countries you are applying to. In some countries you may be required to pay for prescriptions or GP appointments in the same way as nationals living there.
Make sure your medication is legal in the country you are visiting. Take a copy of your prescription with you, and find out if you need to bring a doctor's letter with you if you're taking prescribed medication. Find out more information on the NHS website page on taking medicines abroad.
Vaccinations
You should visit your GP practice nurse or travel vaccination clinic at least 8 weeks before your trip, to find out whether your existing jabs are up-to-date, and to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. The Health Centre on the Sussex campus offers travel immunisations.
Think ahead to other countries you may visit whilst you are abroad. You may be more at risk of disease in rural areas, or if you are backpacking, staying in hostels or camping. You may also be further away from a hospital in certain areas. Consider what activities you may be doing, including spending a lot of time outdoors or coming into close contact with animals. Some diseases are more common at certain times of the year.
See the TravelHealthProwebsite for country-specific information on vaccines as well as general advice. There is also useful information and advice about healthcare abroad available on the NHS Choices website.
Risk assessments
When researching potential study abroad destinations, it is important you familiarise yourself with potential risks you may face by identifying potential hazards. Carrying out this research at this early stage will mean that you are preparing yourself for the potential reality of living in another country. The types of risk varies enormously from country to country but may include:
- weather and climate
- local crime level
- gun and drug-related violence
- terrorism
- natural disasters
- civil unrest
- local customs
- homesickness
- travel-related risks and disease
- where you live
- activities you take part in.
Risk assessment questionnaire
This questionnaire is designed to assist you as part of the preparation for your study abroad. The questions and notes will give you an opportunity to consider a range of issues you may face whilst living and studying abroad.