For international students, going to a foreign country to study can be both exciting and challenging. Besides academic pressure, one of the biggest fears for students is falling ill in an unfamiliar place. After all, seeking medical help in a foreign country can be quite different from the process in their home country.
So, what should international students do when they are experiencing discomfort or illness?
Overseas study often triggers health concerns.
Many students have complained that their bodies frequently experience minor illnesses after studying abroad. They are unsure whether it is due to their physical condition or differences in climate and diet. Common symptoms include colds, fever, allergies, acne, gastroenteritis, and appendicitis.
This is actually a warning signal that our body is sending us. Although these illnesses do not pose a significant threat to our health, they can still disrupt our daily lives and disturb our normal study routine. Therefore, if you feel uncomfortable, don’t try to tough it out, as it may exacerbate the illness.
Students' Medical Approach
- The American Piece
In the United States, there are mainly five types of medical facilities, and depending on the situation, different medical facilities are needed for different medical conditions.
Medical conditions can also be divided into emergency and non-emergency situations, and different medical facilities are required accordingly.
Emergency situations mainly refer to sudden and unanticipated conditions where immediate treatment is required within 24 hours. In such cases, students can go to an Urgent Care Center, which mainly treats patients who require urgent medical attention, such as minor burns, injuries, etc.
However, if the condition is more serious and life-threatening, such as severe burns, heart attacks, etc., students should go to the Emergency Room (ER) of a hospital.
And for non-emergency situations, they mainly include discomforts such as colds and coughs, or seasonal allergies.
Generally, they mainly go to the following places:
校医院(SHC)
School health clinics are the preferred choice for students seeking medical treatment. They are the most convenient for students and often have lower copay or even zero copay. Generally, common illnesses can be treated at these clinics.
Clinic
Most non-emergency appointments are available at the clinic,but an appointment is required. It usually closes at 6 p.m.
Hospital
The hospital is a comprehensive place for medical treatment. There are clinics and laboratories and appointments are needed. If the symptoms are more serious disease is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment, do some checks will be a little insurance.
Also pay attention to how you choose to make an appointment.
Most Americans have their own family doctor, and if they feel unwell, they will call the family doctor directly to make an appointment.But for international students, this is a problem.
Because many people do not have a doctor, we suggest that youfirst go to the SHC, or go directly to the website of your insurance company and make an appointment by phone. (The network is a medical institution or doctor that cooperates with the insurance company, can enjoy a better price)
Students' Medical Approach
- Australian Article
In Australia, there are three main types of medical institutions:
Clinic
Common cold fever can first go to the clinic to find a GP (General Practitioner) for examination, they will prescribe treatment plans and medication list. Before going to the clinic, remember to make an appointment with the clinic doctor first.
Medical Centre
This type of hospital is similar to the community hospital in the country,medicine .The hospital is small, but there will be more specialists. If your condition is a little more complicated, your GP will report your condition to a specialist who will carry out more in-depth examination and treatment.
Hospital
It is usually a place to go for emergency or serious medical treatment.
The Australian Government requires every international student to have an OSHC (Overseas Student Health Care) during their stay in Australia until the student visa expires.
OSHC may be reimbursed forPart or all of the cost of seeing a doctor, being hospitalized, using an ambulance or pharmacy to buy medicineTherefore, the friends in Australia do not need to worry too much about the cost of medical treatment, and do not dare to go to the doctor because of the cost problem, resulting in aggravated illness.
Alone in the distance to study, the body is not comfortable but still have to face the relatively complex medical treatment process, can understand the students feel powerless when they are sick.
However, the body is the capital of the revolution, and if you have some discomfort in your body,you must seek medical treatment.you can also seek help from friends around you, and choose the most appropriate medical treatment according to your actual situation. For those who are going to go abroad, you can also check the coverage of the national medical insurance in advance, the medical treatment process and other information.
Finally, I hope everyone can maintain good health habits and psychological quality, weekdays pay attention to their own health, timely medical treatment and rehabilitation when sick,enjoy a healthy and happy life abroad~
