Wellness Abroad

Wellness Abroad

There's more to preparing for studying abroad than just packing your bags. We're here to support your well-being every step of the way, even when you're exploring new horizons. We've collected some resources for navigating the emotional and mental health considerations that come with living and learning in a different culture. Whether you're feeling homesick, adjusting to new social norms, or simply want to prioritize your self-care while overseas, you'll find a few helpful information and resources right here. We'll focus on the Rome semester, but the same information is valid regardless of which study abroad program you chose.
*If you have more specific needs, please see our case manager for additional considerations.

If you have further questions or needs, contact us at counseling@udallas.edu.

Remember that the UDCC is NOT A CRISIS CENTER in Irving, or abroad.
We are unable to do much for students in times of crises from across the globe.
Please take care to be aware of how to engage the emergency services of your local host city/country.
e.g., Dial 112 for the multi-lingual Pan-European Emergency Line for police, ambulance, and fire services.

Click to play below to begin:

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands
but seeing with new eyes.

-Proust, In Search of Lost Time

Nothing can fully prepare you for studying abroad, somethings you simply figure out as you go. However, there is an amazing team with you along the journey. You can't plan for every contingency, but we'll look at some of the main things most people need consider. Below, we'll address the following considerations:

• Adjustment
• Mental wellness
• Social wellness, 
• Safety while abroad, 
• Mental health clearance considerations, and
• Additional Resources.

(printable version)

A few additional considerations.

The pace of the Rome Semester is much different than UD, Irving:

• • Plan to adjust or make accommodations for medication management, sleep patterns, study, 
  • Local laws are different in each location. Be aware of the relevant laws that may apply to you.
  • Managing finances can be very difficult across the world, with exchange rates, fees, and lack of immediate access to funds. Plan accordingly.

In case of emergencies: Dial 112 for the multi-lingual pan-European emergency line for police, ambulance, or fire services. 

We advise all students to communicate their needs, and the needs of their community, with their study abroad program before, during, and after the study abroad semester. This is not a measure of intrusiveness, but of support. Knowing your struggles does not automatically disqualify you from attending the program. The program doesn't need to know every detail of your life or struggles, but they do need to understand how to help you thrive abroad. If you have unmet needs abroad, you could jeopardize your entire experience, possibly that of your peers, by being underprepared and underresourced. We can only help those we know need help. 

USA STEP - Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
About the service
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.

• Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
• Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
• Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there's an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

See Current Travel Advisories

UD PROGRAM CLEARANCE

Rome Clearance Form

If you should need a clearance from the UDCC regarding study abroad eligibility, here are our ABC's for addressing these requests:

Authority:

The UDCC does not have the authority to grand/deny elligibility of students applying for study abroad programming.

The UDCC will approach each case assuming an individual is attending the study abroad program, and provide the best case considerations for each student's basic wellness and overall thriving for that program. There may be some things that are necessary that the study abroad program cannot provide, but that is a conversation that can be had with all parties involved. In some rare cases, it may be deamed that a student lacks emotional fitness for participation in the Study Abroad Program. In these cases, we will work with the student to get the resources and support they need to be able to prepare themselves for possibly attending the study abroad program at a later time.

Best Case:

The UDCC will opporate out of the perspective of what the best option for someone would be, in order for him or her to thrive in a new environment, with new and additional pressures.

The needs of students can often be met by the study abroad program. However, there are times where the current needs of the student are unable to be met by the program. The study abroad options may have to be put on hold for the time being, if the needs for the student are too great to manage. 

Care Considerations:

The UDCC will opporate out of an individual needs-based care perspective. All reports, referral, support, or other efforts by the UDCC are clinically driven with legal and professional requirements to ensure that each student's case recieves appropriate clinical considerations, according to our policies.

POLICIES regarding study abroad clerance forms:

1. The UDCC will only provide clearance form responses to individuals who are known to the UDCC, which means they have been seen at least three (3) times, although more sessions may be required.
2. A proper and signed authorization for release of information (ROI) is required for any interaction by the UDCC with anyone outside the UDCC.
3.  The UDCC follows the rules, regulations, and best practices for providing therapeutic care for all domestic students. Since the University of Dallas has an established campus in Italy, the European Union (EU) regulations have set forth the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to oversee all digital information gathered. The GDPR oversees all Private Identifiable Information (PII), including Private Health Information (PHI). To our knowledge, the UDCC’s EHR and telehealth delivery services fully comply with GDPR. 
4. The UDCC clinicians can only provide considerations for areas that are within their scope of practice. If the student has a medical or other specific need, the student will be referred to the appropriate provider for consideration.
5. Other polices may apply.

RESOURCES

Here are a few extra resources to help you along the way. If you don't see what you are looking for, let us know and we'll try to help find the information.

TRAVEL CHECKLIST

USA Study Abroad Travel Health & Safety 

US Embassy Finder

For Parents

For Those With Disabilities

Travel Advisories