General Health/Mental Health Considerations & Planning

Vaccinations/Immunizations

Most countries require you to carry proof of your vaccination record with your essential papers. Advice on which vaccines you should have can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Pages on the internet.

Medications

You should ask your physician for a new prescription for medications you must take. They may or may not be able to be filled in your host country. Some students make certain they have adequate supplies of needed medications for the duration of their exchange.

Corrective Lenses

If you wear corrective lenses, a copy of your lens prescription, or even a spare set of glasses, can help avoid a big problem in the event your glasses are lost or broken. If you will turn 18 during your exchange year be sure to sign a medical release at your doctor’s office prior to your departure.

Allergies

Make sure your hosting club and host family are aware of any allergies you have.

Mental Health

If you have mental health issues that require medication or treatment while on exchange, make certain that you stay on the medication unless you have been released by your physician. Any mental health issue must be disclosed to us, your host family and host district. Some mental health issues get worse or return while on exchange and under the stress of adjusting to a totally new environment.

Planning for Family Emergencies

Rotary encourages the student and family to discuss family wishes in the event that there is an emergency during the year abroad – such as illness or death in the family. Please try to anticipate the student’s wishes and those of your family if you are confronted with a situation in which your early return home is a consideration. We ask families not to send bad news to students by email, voice mail or on the telephone without first notifying Rotary. We can help make certain the student is not alone when receiving bad news. We have had occasions where students have actually panicked and left the country to return home following their receipt of bad news without notifying ANYONE of their whereabouts or intentions.

Most often, when a student is called home for a family emergency, it is not an option to return to your host country. Any emergency that causes you to leave should be very serious.

COVID-19

If it becomes necessary to bring the student home due to COVID-19 issues, Rotary will have developed a set of emergency procedures and protocols to follow. Rotary may make recommendations, but the final decision to bring a student home rests with the parents.