From 'freshers flu' to acute anxiety - there are many aspects of your wellbeing that are important to consider before you leave for your adventure. Our Student Health and Wellbeing Service has some brilliant information and resources to help you prepare. 

Here are some of our general top tips for staying healthy abroad:

• Check any medications you need are allowed to be brought in to the country
• Get in to a good sleep routine as soon as you can - in your new timezone! 
• Don't forget your veggies - our diet hugely impacts our physical and mental wellbeing
• Talk to someone you trust regularly - even just a 5 min chat, or a longer heart-to-heart when you need
• Write a positivity bullet journal to record your adventure
• Rest - not every day has to be jam-packed with work and adventures!

If you have a specific health issue or wellbeing concern, we recommend you seek advice and support from the Student Health and Wellbeing Service and your doctor to prepare for your experience. 

Disability support

The University can support you in making plans for going abroad if you have a disability to ensure your safety and wellbeing has been fully considered ahead of departure. Information on all the support available can be found on the Disability Support pages from the Student Health and Wellbeing Service.

LGBTQA+ support

The safety and wellbeing of all our students is of paramount importance, and one of the many ways you can prepare for your Study Abroad experience is to understand how different cultural norms and local laws may either support or hinder your experience. 

Stonewall have produced Global Workplace Briefings which offer valuable details on your considered destination.

If you have any concerns, or would like to discuss your circumstances in more detail, you can access support and guidance through our Health and Wellbeing Services, specifically relating to LGBTQA+ support.

Destination research and country alerts

Before you travel, you should read the country information on the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website. You should also sign up to receive country alerts for each country you will be travelling to or through during your time abroad. The will email you if any of their security advice changes. This could include natural disasters, illness epidemics, terrorist threats, transport problems etc).

Explore the AIG Travel Assistance website, and download the app

Current registered Newcastle University students participating in an overseas placement will receive insurance cover from AIG Travel Assistance. We strongly recommend that you download the AIG Travel Assistance App which will ensure effective travel risk management. Whether it’s prior to travel, during your time abroad, or returning home. The app provides you with convenient access to in-depth travel, security and health information 24/7/365 such as:

• Security awareness training
• Country reports
• Security travel alerts
• Global New roundup
• MyHealthPortal, an online health clinic with access to fully trained nurses in the UK via phone, email, SMS or online chat

To access the mobile app:

• go to the Apple App Store or Android Play Store from your smartphone and search for AIG and tap on AIG Travel. This app is only available for smartphone – not tablets. 
• Click on “Register”.  For the app tap on “Country where coverage was purchased” and select “Global Watch”
• Provide your name, email address and the University AIG policy number (0010628132). If you receive a “duplicate email” error, click on “Forgot Your Password” to reset your password.
• You will receive an automated email (check spam/junk folder) containing instructions to complete secure travel assessment website access. After you have successfully logged in and accessed the secure travel assistance website, follow the instructions for mobile access. You will receive an automated email (check spam/junk folder and allow email from noreply@salesforce.com and AIGTravelAlerts@e5.aigdigital.com) containing instructions to complete secure travel assistance website/app access.
• You have the option to set up Touch ID to log in using your fingerprint or Face ID to log in using facial recognition (available only for phones equipped with Touch ID or Face ID)
• Once you have completed the registration, you may use the same login credentials to access the app and the AIG website.