Category Archives: ALC Travel News

Study Abroad Safety Tips

Studying in another country is one of the best and coolest ways to travel and learn about other cultures—and maybe the subjects of the classes you’re taking. Not only do you get to use the “it’s for school” excuse, but you also get to explore a new city (your college town is probably so lame by now anyway), try new things, and see the world from a perspective outside of the bubble that is your college campus.

But as you make sure to pack plenty of clothes and maybe a textbook or two, you should also equip yourself with some important safety tips before you leave.

iphone_1686607cTo ensure you have a trip that’s both awesome and safe, here’s what you should know, suggests the healthytravelblog.com

  • Learn about the culture. It’s important to learn the local norms, customs, and even general laws before you visit any country for the first time. This will help you stay safe, blend in, and even gain respect from the locals and make new friends.
  • Know what’s going on. Stay updated on current events in the local area and country in which you’ll be staying. You may need to take extra precaution if there’s political unrest in certain areas, upcoming major events, etc.
  • Travel in groups. Always travel with at least one other person when abroad. While you shouldn’t go anywhere alone, tell your friends where you’ll be going if you do, even if it’s just to the café down the street. And above all, don’t go off with strangers.
  • Blend in. The best way to fit in with the locals and avoid being targeted by pickpockets is to blend in as much as possible. Don’t wear flashy clothes or jewelry, and dress modestly if the locals do. Keep your camera and other electronics out of sight.
  • Be aware. For your safety, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you see anything or anyone out of the ordinary, try taking an alternate route and leaving the area.
  • Food and water safety. Before arriving at your destination, find out if the tap water is safe to drink. If not, only drink purified or bottled water. You should also skip the ice and avoid fresh fruits and vegetables, which are often washed in tap water.
  • Road safety. Many roads in the developing world can be extremely hazardous. Crashes can be common in some countries due to undeveloped infrastructure or, frequently, no real code of conduct for drivers (don’t assume drivers will stop at stop signs!). Since getting from one place to another can be dangerous, be sure to practice these road safety tips.
  • Emergency contacts. Carry a card with a list of emergency contacts with you at all times during your trip. Also, be sure to keep your professors on the trip and contacts at home updated on your whereabouts. Your contacts at home should also have a copy of your passport, visa, and other important documents.
  • Visit your doctor before traveling. You should go at least two weeks before your trip and find out if you need to be vaccinated for any common diseases or illnesses. If you take a prescription medication, make sure you bring an extra prescription in case you need more during your stay.
  • Purchase travel insurance. Your school very likely requires you to have travel insurance anyway. The best policies will also plug you in to a network of healthcare providers that make it easier to navigate the health system when you’re in another country.

Flying has rightfully earned its reputation of being an extremely stressful experience.

shutterstock_53695795Long security lines, delayed or cancelled flights, and running to your terminal before the plane leaves without you—need I say more? writes the healthytravelblog.com

But to make things a little less hectic, some airports have found ways to create peaceful environments for weary travelers. While it may sound like a utopian dream, we hope other airports take note of these relaxing perks:

Spas: Airports such as Vancouver International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and the Dubai International Airport have all invested in luxury spas where travelers can rejuvenate their body and soul with a soothing massage or other spa treatment. Some airports also feature hairdressers and nail salons as well.

Yoga Studios: The San Francisco International Airport is one of many that have now transformed surplus storage areas into yoga rooms. This is a great way to get the blood flowing and help refresh your body physically and mentally, especially before hopping on a long flight.

Meditation Rooms: The Frankfurt Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport each offer non-denominational meditation rooms for travelers who seek a quiet and tranquil place. It’s a great way for passengers to relax before a flight, or even say a quick prayer for patience before going through security lines.

Art Galleries: The T5 Gallery at Heathrow Airport is an award-winning artistic experience that features artwork of young artists from all over the world, as well as an impressive sculpture at the center of it. And if you fall in love with a piece, you can even buy it!

Lounges and Sleep Areas: In addition to luxury lounges that are available to all passengers, many airports also feature sleep areas that travelers can reserve for a few hours. In these rooms, people can rest, get work done, and even refresh with a shower.

Casinos: If you’re in the mood to unwind with a little roulette, the casino at Frankfurt Airport is the place to be. If roulette isn’t your thing, opt for a game of Black Jack or hit the slot machines.

Enhanced Security Area: The TSA recently teamed up with Dallas/Fort Worth Airport to test a revamped security area that aims to provider passengers with a more relaxing environment at security checkpoints. Featuring lounge seating and screens that display real-time wait times, the upgraded security area also has relaxing music, ambient lighting, and even a more interesting interior design—a real change from the dull, white-walled checkpoint areas. They even have a ‘re-composure’ area where travelers can re-pack their belongings and relax after the security process is over.

ALC Health reports a 38% growth in global medical insurance

AWAInternational private medical insurance provider ALC Health (à la carte healthcare) today reported a 38% growth for 2013 over the previous 12 month period.

Andrew Apps, Director at ALC Health comments:

Over the past four years we have seen a continued steady growth across our business and with 2013 once again proving to be another record year for the company.

Our customer focused boutique approach and competitive pricing structure has enabled our members to choose the cover they want at an affordable price whilst enjoying the very highest level of personal service and support that has become the hallmark of ALC Health’s success. The past year also saw the successful launch of two new core plans – Prima Platinum and Prima Concept – adding further to our existing suite of global medical insurance plans created for the expatriate and global citizen.

2013 was another exciting one for ALC Health and we are looking forward to pushing forward the boundaries even further in 2014.

For further press information contact Sheena Young at sheena.young@alchealth.com

T:  +44 (0) 1903 817970

Best New Year’s Celebrations Around the World (And How to Stay Safe)

It’s only appropriate that we say goodbye to the old and welcome the new in a way that’s universally understood: With tons of parties.

Whether everyone sings Auld Lang Syne, throws flowers into the sea, or watches a ball drop, every culture and city has its own traditions for kicking off the New Year on the right foot writes the healthytravelblog.com

But wherever you choose to celebrate, remember to take extra precaution. With the crowds, festive drinks, and overall excitement of the day, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities. Be sure to travel with a friend or in a group and stay alert as much as possible. Have a glass or two of champagne to celebrate if you’re of legal drinking age, but remember it’s always safest to stay in control. And of course, book a hotel nearby and don’t hesitate to get a taxi if necessary.

If you’re still not sure what you’ll be dong this New Year’s Eve (or want ideas for next year), here are some of the best celebrations around the world:

Sydney It’s no surprise that one of the first cities in the world to celebrate the New Year would also host a massive celebration filled with an incredible lightshow, fireworks, and pyrotechnic displays over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Attendees can also enjoy entertainment acts such as aerial acrobats and a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking ceremony, which is done to cleanse bad spirits. At the end of the night, the festivities conclude with the Harbour of Light Parade, which features a variety of illuminated boats throughout the harbour.

Hong Kong Hong Kong is the home of an incredible fireworks display and pyrotechnic lightshow. At Hong Kong’s Time Square (yes, there are two of them!),  you’ll also enjoy a taste of New York City’s famous celebration; the city also hosts a ball drop ceremony similar to the one in New York. Or, visit the Victoria Harbour and watch the countdown displayed in the sky, followed by a fireworks finale.

Cape Town While there are plenty of New Year’s Eve festivals and events to take part in, the real party in South Africa begins on New Year’s Day with Kaapse Klopse, the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. Watch parades, performances of traditional dancers, musicians, and locals dressed up as minstrels as you celebrate a tradition that dates back to the 19th century.

Vienna Visit the charming city’s famous Christmas markets and join thousands in watching the fireworks at the Wiener Prater fun fair. Vienna is also a great place to go if you’re looking for a classy celebration; you can attend glamorous balls, galas, and concerts such as the “Grand Ball” at Hofburg Palace.

London Over 250,000 people head to the area surrounding River Thames to view the night’s events, which includes a 10-minute lightshow, fireworks, and a countdown that concludes with Big Ben striking midnight. On New Year’s Day, watch the parade in central London, which includes floats, marching bands, and even an appearance by the Queen’s horses.

Edinburgh In Scotland, an evening and a day aren’t enough to ring in the New Year. Instead, Edinburgh hosts Hogmany, which is a four-day long festival of events. Thousands of people attend the festival, which includes a traditional Celtic party, live music, and other performances on stages throughout the city. The event culminates with a pyrotechnic show at midnight on New Year’s as everyone sings Auld Lang Syne, a classic Scottish song.

New York City The Big Apple is an iconic New Year’s Eve destination, bringing in millions of people around the world to watch the ball drop—a tradition that’s been around since the early 1900s. But there’s more than just that—visitors can also enjoy celebrity performances, a lightshow, fireworks, and other festivities. But if you’re looking to enjoy the celebration without the crowds, consider viewing from a nearby hotel or restaurant.

Rio de Janeiro In the capital of Brazil, locals and visitors from all over the world head to the famous Copacabana beach to watch performances and dance the Samba. Think Carnival meets New Year’s Eve beach party—which is great for those looking to stay warm this holiday. If you go, be sure to wear white, which is said to bring good luck for the New Year. Countdown to midnight, throw flowers into the ocean, and end the night with an incredible fireworks show

ALC Health adds more tools to ALC World, its dedicated online member service

ALC-World-TYPEALC Health has added yet more online tools and technology to its dedicated member only service ALC World (www.alchealth.com/alcworld). Provided as part of each ALC Health policyholder’s membership package, ALC World offers a wealth of information covering medical facilities and services worldwide including city profiles, a drug and medical phrase translation service and local security updates.

Adding a further 500 medical providers to its contracted community, an increase of 9% and 200 new facilities, an increase of 14%, ALC World has also expanded the number of countries included in its Drug Equivalency Guide including the Philippines, Panama, Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan, Bahamas and Jamaica bringing the total number of countries to 42.

Additional languages are now included as part of the Medical Translation Tool which now includes audio and bilateral translations for twelve languages representing the primary languages for 193 countries: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Andrew Apps, Director at ALC Health adds “For many expatriates, finding the right doctor or medical facility in an unfamiliar country can be difficult at best of times.

With ALC World our members have access to a wealth of comprehensive data covering doctors, specialists, clinics and hospitals which enables the user to make an informed decision when making that all important choice of who to use, for what and where. With a further expansion of the online drug translation tool, making sure the correct drug is prescribed when a repeat prescription is needed becomes simple and straightforward”.

Travelling While Pregnant

The moment a woman discovers she’s pregnant, her life immediately changes forever. Not only do you have to prepare for your new baby’s arrival, but you must also take the necessary steps and precautions to ensure he develops safely and properly. And if you’re the type who loves to travel and doesn’t plan on stopping until absolutely necessary (or as recommended by your doctor) there are some specific travel tips you should consider before embarking on a trip writes the healthytravelblog.com

Know the best times to travel (and the worst). While pregnancy can cause nausea and fatigue, these symptoms typically don’t last throughout the entire pregnancy. The second trimester is considered the best time to travel since you’re less likely to experience morning sickness and fatigue. You should however try to avoid traveling after 36 to 38 weeks of pregnancy, unless your doctor gives you permission. If you do plan on flying late in your pregnancy, check to see if your airline requires a note from your doctor if you’re scheduled to deliver within 30 days of takeoff.

Bring a copy of all necessary medical information. If you need treatment from a local doctor during your trip, it’s important to have a copy of your prenatal records to help him better understand your pregnancy and specific needs.

If flying, opt for a pat down instead of getting scanned. When going through security at the airport, try to avoid AIT scanners (the ones that spin around you) and ask to receive a pat down instead. Since the effects of the scanners on the fetus are unknown, doctors advise women to avoid them altogether.

Choose an aisle seat. This will give you more room to stretch and allow you easier access to the bathroom. Be sure to take frequent walks to the bathroom to prevent blood clots. You might also want to wear compression socks or tights to keep your blood circulating.

Bring healthy snacks and drink plenty of water. While women should drink tons of water when pregnant, this is especially true when traveling. Aim for eight to twelve glasses of water a day to ensure the fetus is getting enough.

Pack loose and comfortable clothing. Avoid anything that’s too tight to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible during your travels.

Watch what you eat. Traveling can make it difficult to maintain a healthy and regular diet. Be sure to cut back on foods and drinks that are likely to cause gas and heartburn, and opt for foods that are high in fiber. Instead of eating three big meals a day, aim for several small meals and take your time when eating.

Slow it down. Since it’s easy to get tired when pregnant, it’s best to keep your schedule light and simple. Scheduling time to nap each day may be a good way to re-boost your energy stores and avoid exhaustion.

Third of international assignments fail due to stress

Areas of dissatisfaction among the mobile workforce could jeopardise the success of their overseas assignment and lessen the return on investment for employers, says a new report out this week.

A survey has highlighted the fact many expat workers are unaware of the benefits and assistance available to help them with their overseas assignment. It is estimated up to a third of international assignments fail due to family stress, burn-out, increased workloads, and cultural differences. These problems occur despite significant investment from multinational companies, estimated at almost three to five times that of the employee’s salary.

According to the survey, the majority of companies are providing the resources rated as most important by employees including general relocation services (80%), settling in services (63%), and medical preparedness (65%).

Over three-quarters (78%) of expats and their families have accessed medical care abroad. Expats under 34 years old were considerably less well informed about the details of their health plans than other age groups. For example, uncertainty over how to handle claims was four times higher than the average of other age segments, and a lack of knowledge over where to access healthcare was triple that of other groups.

The results also indicated having a family strongly influences health care choices. Those on assignment with spouses or partners and children were most likely to access care, with percentages as high as 91% in these segments compared to single expats (64%) and expats without children (67%). While those who had a partner or children back in their home country tend to seek routine treatment at home, rather than where they are posted.

Extract reproduced with kind permission of expathealth.org

Global AIDS battle being won but discrimination continues

World Aids Day was on Sunday (1 December), so what better time to reflect on how far the fight against HIV/AIDS has come in recent decades. A disease that once signified a death-sentence is slowly but surely in decline and an end to the most destructive pandemic in human history is no longer unimaginable writes expathealth.org

On the whole, HIV sufferers are living longer, more fulfilled lives. However, those most at risk of contracting the virus; sex workers, users of intravenous drugs and homosexual men, still face daily stigma from society at large.

Maybe surprisingly, it has been reported that the number of new cases in some European countries has actually been increasing. In the current period of austerity challenging much of the continent, treatment and services have fallen victim to government cuts.

 

It has been suggested that as the incidence of the disease declines, it is no longer taken as seriously as it once was. But where does that leave the 35 million people around the world still living with HIV/AIDS?

There remains widespread misunderstanding, and cultural differences mean that sufferers are still often demonised. This is evident from the fact that more than 70 countries across the world continue to uphold some form of law prohibiting homosexuality, restricting access to treatment and support for those most in need.

It is also necessary that the attitude towards female sufferers changes, as it is now possible to prevent transmission of the infection to any unborn children. In much of Africa women are still seen as the carriers and transmitters of the virus.

UNAIDS will be inaugurating Zero Discrimination Day on the 1st March 2014 in an attempt to end the persecution faced by many HIV/AIDS sufferers.

Raising awareness is key to winning the battle against AIDS. Some facts that you may not know:

  • With proper treatment it is possible for HIV sufferers to no longer be infectious.
  • Life expectancy of an HIV sufferer after 5 years of treatment is the same as the rest of the population, if they are diagnosed early.
  • It only takes 15-20 minutes to get the results from an HIV test.

The emphasis is now firmly on early diagnosis, as early treatment reduces the likeliness of a carrier being contagious. Ignorance of HIV/AIDS continues to be as much of an issue in the west as it is in Sub-Saharan Africa. For example, in Britain 1 in 4 people with HIV are undiagnosed and in Germany the figure worryingly jumps to 1 in 3.

For more information about AIDS awareness, visit the official World AIDS Day website.

Being bilingual may delay dementia

People who speak more than one language and who develop dementia tend to do so on average 4.5 years later than those who are monolingual, a new study has found writes .

The study, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, observed the same delay in illiterate patients, indicating education isn’t an explanation for the differences.

 Researchers examined almost 650 dementia patients and found those who spoke two or more languages showed later onset of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia.

The benefit doesn’t extend beyond speaking two languages however, meaning speaking three or more languages doesn’t appear to further delay the onset of dementia.

The study was conducted by the University of Edinburgh and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India. This region of India is home to multiple languages, which Barbara J. King, writing for NPR, believes adds extra credibility to the results.

In the Hyderabad region there are two dominant languages, Urdu and Telugu. Hindi and English are also routinely spoken, especially at school. So people raised in Hyderabad are often bilingual, with exposure to a third, sometimes fourth, language.

This impacts on the results as the researchers explained, “In contrast to previous studies, the bilingual group was drawn from the same environment as the monolingual one and the results were therefore free from the confounding effects of immigration.”

This study is the largest to look at the bilingual effect on dementia, independent of education, sex, occupation, cardiovascular risk factors, and urban vs rural dwelling, all of which have been investigated in the past as potential factors affecting the onset of dementia.

Further research is needed to determine the mechanism which is delaying dementia, say the study authors. They suggested bilingual switching between different sounds, words, concepts, grammatical structures and social norms constituted a form of natural brain training.

Reproduced by kind permission of expathealth.org

Essential Items for Women to Stay Healthy on the Road

Whether you are planning a two week vacation or a three month backpacking sojourn, packing items to maintain your health and hygiene on the road should be your first priority. Trust me, falling sick on the road without the correct remedies will put a real dampener on your holiday! We have put together a handy list of the nine essential items that should be in your luggage before you hit the road:

1. Hand sanitizer

Maintaining high levels of personal hygiene is really important when travelling, and one of the best ways to do that is to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to wash your hands as often as you would at home and so this way you’ll at least know you have clean hands even when you can’t wash them. You can even pick up travel-friendly bottles of sanitizer so you don’t have to worry about packing a big bulky bottle – bonus!

2. High SPF sunscreen

Unfortunately, there are too many ladies out there that pack a low SPF sunscreen in the hope that they will get a tan quicker; this is not the case! The only thing that will happen if your sunscreen does not have a high enough SPF factor is you will get burnt, and it doesn’t look pretty, not to mention it has some serious consequences to your health!

3. Sterile first aid kit

It’s really important to take a comprehensive first aid kit with you. I would advise to take a first aid kit which comes with a syringe and needle so if you do need hospital treatment, you are safe in the knowledge that you have sterile equipment with you.

4. Women’s multi-vitamins

Our diet can be dramatically different when we travel, and therefore it can have a negative effect on our health. A great way to ensure that you are still getting essential nutrients is by packing a small bottle of women’s multi-vitamins.

5. Re-hydration sachets

Unfortunately, it can be quite common to contract a stomach bug when traveling. In order to combat this, one of the best products that you can take with you is rehydration sachets – these will restore your body’s salt and fluid balance; I don’t know what I would have done without these when I got sick in Thailand!

6. Fit kit

The fit kit is especially useful on longer vacations and backpacking trips; many women – myself included, do worry about their fitness levels when away from the routine of going to the gym. A great way to maintain your fitness levels is to take a FitKit with you – this has been specially designed for those that travel and so the contents come is a super small case that is the equivalent of a sunglasses case. The FitKit is basically a portable gym – it comes with a resistance tube, a jump rope, pedometer, resistance band and reflective arm band.

7. Bug spray

I never travel without a high impact bug spray – mosquitoes seem to absolutely love me, much to my annoyance! Not only is it dangerous to get bitten due to the risks of malaria and dengue fever, but bites also look so unsightly – especially if they get as big and swollen as they do on me! The bug spray that I use is one that has a high level of DEET – DEET is highly regarded as the best ingredient to prevent mosquitoes.

Before you use a DEET based product I would highly recommend doing a patch test first to see if DEET is compatible with your skin, and also seek the guidance of your doctor for the best ways to prevent getting bitten. If you are heading to an area where malaria is particularly prevalent then you will also want to pack a mosquito net and anti-malarial medication.

8. Funky sun hat

A lot of people don’t realize it, but dehydration and sun stroke are big risk factors when on the road! A fabulous (and stylish) way to minimize this risk is to pack a sun hat and wear it whenever you are out in direct sunlight. The great news is that there are some super stylish sun hat options out there so you don’t need to worry about looking ridiculous! My personal favorite is a cute straw hat with a brightly colored ribbon – there are also packable straw hat options on the market nowadays so you don’t need to worry about it getting squashed in your luggage.

9. Shewee

I’ll be the first person to admit that the bathroom facilities in many places overseas are not up to the same standard as they are at home. The best way to avoid having to sit on a filthy toilet and run the risk of contracting germs is to carry a shewee with you.

A shewee is a contraption that allows you to wee whilst standing up, so no matter how grimy the toilet is, your skin need never touch it! Having the shewee also means being able to go to the toilet outside (often more preferable than being stuck in a stinky loo) and you can stand up – much better than trying to find a spot to crouch down!

Guest Author: Emma Spires Emma is a keen traveller who has been on the road for a decade. In between sojourns she spends her time on the hunt for innovative ladies travel products to review for her site Ladies With Luggage with the aim of helping her readers have a more fun, safe and comfortable trip. She also loves to write specialised female travel packing lists – everything from a romantic weekend away to long term backpacking trips.

Reproduced by kind permission of the healthytravelbog.com