University Students Adapting to Travel Concerns
University study abroad programs throughout the United States are gaining in popularity each year. For 2008, CNN.com listed the top three Universities with the most students enrolled in study abroad programs at NYU, with 2,809, Michigan State, with 2,558, and The University of Texas at Austin, with 2,244 students. With the current value of the U.S. dollar declining against other strong foreign currencies such as the Euro, American college students are beginning to reconsider travel destinations and programs through their universities when making the decision to study abroad. Many of the students who previously considered studying in Italy or France for a semester are now discouraged by the high cost of living due to exchange rates of the U.S. dollar. Currently, the dollar is valued around 20% less than the Euro. Many students are now considering other destinations such as Africa and South America for their education to place less strain on their wallets.
While Americans are adapting to the new economic problems to sustain their ways of living, other concerns arise from these new travel destinations. These include cultural practices and standards, locating clean food and water sources, as well as taking measures to protect themselves from native disease and sickness found in the foreign communities.
One way students can help ensure they have a safe and enjoyable trip is to visit a nurse at Passport Health who will prepare them for their time abroad. Passport Health offers services including: travel information on countries and cultures all over the world, travel kits with items from anti-diarrheal medicine to bug lotion and spray with DEET, as well as health recommendations and the ability to provide any vaccinations travelers may need when leaving the U.S. For more information about Passport Health, call 1-888-499-PASS or click on the “Contact Us” link on our homepage to ensure your trip is a safe and memorable one.